Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating a discharge lamp comprising input terminals for connection to a supply voltage source. A load branch B has terminals for holding the discharge lamp and includes an inductive ballast. A device I is coupled to ends of the load branch and to the input terminals to generate a high-frequency voltage from the supply voltage furnished by the supply voltage source. A device II is coupled to the device I to adjust the power consumed by the discharge lamp, the frequency of the high-frequency voltage being dependent upon the adjusted value of the power consumption. A transformer having a primary winding and secondary windings with each secondary winding shunted by an electrode branch during lamp operation, which electrode branch includes an electrode of the discharge lamp. The primary winding forms part of a branch C which also includes a frequency-dependent impedance and which shunts the load branch.