Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle headlight with an ignition device (3) for generating an ignition voltage for operating a light (4). The headlight has a safety device 1 for protection from injuries caused by electricity, wherein the ignition device (3) comprises a housing (5) for receiving the light (4) and an ignition switch which can be connected to the light (4) and terminals (6, 7) for electric connection of the ignition switch and the vehicle electrical system. The housing (5) can be mounted to a base plate (2). To improve safety of maintenance or mounting of the headlight, in particular to prevent injuries through contact with exposed electrically conducting parts where high voltages could be present, the use of a safety device 1 is proposed which is disposed on the base plate 2 and comprises means for mounting the housing 5, wherein the ignition device 3 can be connected to the vehicle electrical system via the safety device 1 only when the housing 5 is mounted.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle headlight with an ignition device (3) for generating an ignition voltage for operating a light (4). The headlight has a safety device 1 for protection from injuries caused by electricity, wherein the ignition device (3) comprises a housing (5) for receiving the light (4) and an ignition switch which can be connected to the light (4) and terminals (6, 7) for electric connection of the ignition switch and the vehicle electrical system. The housing (5) can be mounted to a base plate (2). To improve safety of maintenance or mounting of the headlight, in particular to prevent injuries through contact with exposed electrically conducting parts where high voltages could be present, the use of a safety device 1 is proposed which is disposed on the base plate 2 and comprises means for mounting the housing 5, wherein the ignition device 3 can be connected to the vehicle electrical system via the safety device 1 only when the housing 5 is mounted.

Abstract: A high-pressure gas discharge lamp is connected on one side to a lead across the secondary winding of a starter transformer and to a second lead on the second side. Starting energy is applied with a pulse. For this purpose, a controllable switch which becomes conducting on reaching a certain voltage or is connected by a drive is provided in series with the primary winding. A capacitor connected in parallel to the series connection is charged by voltage U between the input terminals across a resistor connected in series and a diode. An input circuit provided between these input terminals of the starter has a capacitor, a protective element or a combination of the two for protection against voltage peaks.

Abstract: An ignition device for gas discharge lamps is proposed, in particular for motor vehicle lights. The ignition device contains a first transformer (17) which is supplied on its primary side with an alternating current produced from a direct current supply voltage. To generate this alternating current, a capacitor (14), which is acted upon by a charging current, constitutes a closed circuit together with the primary winding of the first transformer and a spark gap (16), wherein the spark gap (16) arcs at a predetermined charge state of the capacitor (14). This device makes a simple, inexpensive, and space-saving device possible for generating the required operating voltage for the transformer (17), wherein the spark gap can be reliably used, even at higher temperatures.

Abstract: On one side, a high-pressure gas discharge lamp (10) is connected, by way of the secondary winding (16) of an ignition transformer (14), to a line (11) and, on its second side, to a second line (12). It is therefore connected to a first voltage U.sub.1. A third line (13) delivers a further voltage U.sub.2. The ignition energy is supplied with the aid of a pulse. For this purpose, a spark gap (17) is provided in series with the primary winding (15), which gap abruptly becomes conductive when the breakdown voltage is attained. A first capacitor (18) that is charged by the voltage U.sub.2 by way of a resistor (20) connected in series is disposed in parallel to the first capacitor. The series connection of a second capacitor (19) and a diode (22) is provided in parallel to the first capacitor. The connecting point of the second capacitor and the diode is connected to the second line (12) by way of a resistor (21). This second capacitor 19 is charged by the voltage U.sub.1.