Abstract: A power saving circuit for a gaseous discharge lamp includes a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit is connectable to an AC power supply and to at least one lamp and has a bilateral current conducting power switch with control electrode means. The control circuit has a control switch with control electrode means, and timing means operable to apply a signal to the control electrode means of the control switch to render the control switch conducting at a predetermined time during each half cycle of the AC power supply, the control switch conducting current until zero crossover at the end of each half cycle. Opto-coupler means are associated with the control switch on the one hand and with the control electrode means of the power switch on the other hand to cause actuation of the control electrode means of the power switch and subsequent current conduction by the power switch when the control switch is conducting.