Abstract: A method and system for standby lighting uses a power supply module and a standby lamp in conjunction with an HID lamp. The power supply module has a processor with smart trigger circuitry, soft start capability, overlap timer, and an advanced current sense algorithm. The power supply module continuously monitors the electronic ballast current to the HID lamp. If the current drops for a period of time, the power supply module supplies DC current to turn on the standby lamp gradually over a couple of seconds. The standby lamp is kept on while the processor checks for a rise in the electronic ballast current to a threshold current level for more than two seconds. Then, an overlap timer starts to count down for the time it takes for HID lamp to reach full intensity, approximately fifteen minutes. The standby lamp is turned off at the end of the count down.

Abstract: The ac voltage regulator apparatus of the present invention uses back-to-back silicon-controlled rectifier (“SCR”) power output switches which are triggered into conduction after being delayed for a period of time from the previous ac supply voltage zero point. The SCR switches are switching the load voltage at a determinate phase angle in order to obtain a constant true RMS voltage. The delay time of the trigger signal is variable and is changed to obtain regulation of the RMS voltage applied to the ac load. This regulation feature compensates for temperature changes, ac supply voltage variations, and ac load current changes.