Abstract: The ballast is connected between the fluorescent lights and a source of power for the fluorescent lights. The source of power provides an input signal having a first waveform, usually a sine wave, at a first frequency. The ballast consists of a converter for coverting the first waveform to a second waveform at a second frequency different from the first frequency. A distribution arrangement distributes power to the fluorescent lights. The distribution system consists of a transformer, and capacitors are interposed between selected windings of the secondary of the transformer. In one embodiment, the sine wave is converted to a square wave by the converter and to a saw tooth waveform by the capacitors in the distribution arrangement so that the fluorescent lights are fed with the saw tooth waveform.