Abstract: A circuit for the operation of fluorescent lamps which allows the current through the lamps to be raised above the manufacturer recommended limit without adversely effecting the lamps. Two oppositely poled diodes are connected to the two contact pins at each end of the lamps, and an AC voltage is applied thereto. The arrangement results in current through two properly poled diodes during one half cycle of the applied voltage, and through the two oppositely poled diodes during the second half cycle of the voltage. As a result of this alternate loading, the thermal stress in the lamp electrodes is substantially lowered, and the current through the lamp may be raised above the recommended limit. The AC voltage is preferably at a high frequency, for example twenty kilohertz, which results in illumination from the lamps originating along the glass walls due to the skin effect, and increases the illumination efficiency of the lamps.

Abstract: A circuit for the operation of fluorescent lamps which allows the current through the lamps to be raised above the manufacturer recommended limit without adversely effecting the lamps. Two oppositely poled diodes are connected to the two contact pins at each end of the lamps, and an AC voltage is applied thereto. The arrangement results in current through two properly poled diodes during one half cycle of the applied voltage, and through the two oppositely poled diodes during the second half cycle of the voltage. As a result of this alternate loading, the thermal stress on the lamp electrodes is substantially lowered, and the current through the lamp may be raised above the recommended limit. The AC voltage is preferably at a high frequency, for example twenty kilohertz, which results in illumination from the lamps originating along the glass walls due to the skin effect, and increases the illumination efficiency of the lamps.