Abstract: Electrical power is converted into rectangular waves, which are loosely coupled to a fluorescent lamp. A parallel tank circuit resonant near the fundamental or a harmonic of the square wave frequency is connected between the electrodes of the lamp. The electrodes of the lamp each have a pair of terminals across which an electrical potential is applied to heat the electrodes while starting the lamp. Power is applied across the first and second electrodes while starting the lamp and after starting the lamp. Power is also applied and/or the pair of terminals of the second electrode while starting the lamp and after starting the lamp. The ratio of voltage across the first and second electrodes to the voltage across the pair of terminals is such as to properly preheat the electrodes and prevent arcing between each pair of terminals, and arcing between the first and second electrodes while starting.