Abstract: A starting circuit arrangement in which a gas discharge lamp is assigned a supply circuit having at least one inductor arranged in series with the gas discharge lamp, wherein the starting circuit arrangement comprises a starting transformer connected on the primary side to a starting triggering circuit and connected on the secondary side to the lamp for the transmission of a starting pulse, an input energy source for the starting triggering circuit, a first switch means in the starting triggering circuit, an electronic control device which drives the first switch means. The starting circuit arrangement has, on the supply side, an input terminal connected in the supply circuit of the lamp between the inductor and the lamp, and a means provided for reproducing the phase profile of an AC supply variable of the lamp after starting of the lamp.

Abstract: An ignition circuit arrangement and method for a discharge lamp, with which there is associated a supply circuit for providing an ac supply voltage to the lamp, includes an ignition transformer which is connected to a trigger circuit on the primary side and to the lamp on the secondary side for transmitting an ignition pulse; an input energy source for the ignition trigger circuit; a first switch means in the trigger circuit and a control means which actuates the first switch means. To assist with the ignition process, an energy storage means controllable by the control means, in particular a voltage source controllable by the control means, is arranged in the supply circuit in series with the gas-discharge lamp. The controllable energy storage means serves to provide an additional energy supply during the ignition process beyond the actual ac supply for the lamp.