Abstract: A DC-AC converter for igniting and supplying a gas discharge lamp comprises a converter control circuit including a starter circuit containing first, second and third switching elements; a load circuit including at least one gas discharge lamp; and an igniting circuit including a fourth switching element, wherein the converter control circuit controls a current through the lamp via a current sensor resistor during a pre-heating stage; the igniting circuit disenables the third switching element and thereby isolates the converter control circuit during an igniting stage; and the converter control circuit controls the current through the lamp via the current sensor resistor during normal operation.