Abstract: A lamp system is provided wherein a high radiation intensity metal vapor electric discharge lamp is matched with a controllable regulating transformer which is characterized by having a sufficiently high open circuit voltage for striking an arc across the lamp and by having loose coupling between primary and secondary windings along with high impedance of the secondary winding sufficient for limiting an initially high starting current through the lamp to a value whereby, as the lamp warms up on power from the transformer, the lamp current decreases and the voltage across the lamp increases, allowing the lamp to reach a high radiation intensity level of operation, the system further being one in which the transformer is controlled by having controllable core structure to select a different intensity level of operation of the lamp.

Abstract: A mercury vapor electric discharge lamp is supplied with AC electric power, which is variable over a wide range, to control the lamp output power in the form of the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted over a correspondingly wide range of from approximately 5% to 100% or better of rated output power without lamp extinction. An AC phase modulation control circuit controls the AC electric power supplied to the lamp such that applied voltage remains relatively constant while the current is controllably varied determined by the phase angle of conduction in the control circuit. Control of the AC phase modulation control circuit is effected in response to the actual output power of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the lamp, the speed of a printing press or conveyor line with which the lamp may be used to cure ultraviolet sensitive inks, paints, plastics and the like on some form of substrate.

Abstract: A mercury vapor electric discharge lamp is supplied with AC electric power, which is variable over a wide range, to control the lamp output power in the form of the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted over a correspondingly wide range of from approximately 5% to 100% or better of rated output power without lamp extinction. An AC phase modulation control circuit controls the AC electric power supplied to the lamp such that applied voltage remains relatively constant while the current is controllably varied determined by the phase angle of conduction in the control circuit. Control of the AC phase modulation control circuit is effected in response to the actual output power of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the lamp, the speed of a printing press or conveyor line with which the lamp may be used to cure ultraviolet sensitive inks, paints, plastics and the like on some form of substrate.