Abstract: An electronic control gear for a lamp is disclosed. The electronic control gear has a memory device and a microprocessor configured to acquire data relating to at least one parameter of operation of the lamp and configured to store acquired data in the memory device. The at least one parameter of operation is an electrical power consumption of the lamp during a period of operation, a duration of operation of the lamp during a period, a duration of operation the lamp at each of a plurality of power consumption levels or bands, or an operating temperature of a component of a circuit in which the lamp is connected.

Abstract: An elongate high voltage insulator is formed of a rod or tube of insulating material, with a pair of electrodes spaced apart longitudinally thereof. At least part, and preferably the whole of the outer surface of the insulating material is covered by a layer of material including a particulate filler of varistor powder in a matrix having a switching electrical stress-controlling characteristic that is in electrical contact with each of the electrodes. The insulator core may be made of porcelain, and the stress-controlling material may be zinc oxide.

Abstract: An elongate high voltage insulator (2) is formed of a rod or tube (4) of insulating material, with a pair of electrodes (6) spaced apart longitudinally thereof. At least part, and preferably the whole of the outer surface of the insulating material (4) is covered by a layer of material (8) comprising a particulate filler of varistor powder in a matrix having a switching electrical stress-controlling characteristic that is in electrical contact with each of the electrodes (6). The insulator core (4) may be made of porcelain, and the stress-controlling material (8) may comprise zinc oxide.