Circuit arrangement for controlling a power supplied to a load

A circuit for controlling power supplied to a load, the circuit comprising:

• a controllable self-conducting semiconductor switch connected in-series with the load;
• a first energy storage circuit connected in-series with the load, said first energy storage circuit comprising a first energy storage device and a first rectifier connected in-series, wherein a terminal of the first energy storage device is connected to a terminal of said self-conducting semiconductor switch;
• a controllable auxiliary switch connected in-parallel with the first energy storage device;
• a control circuit for the self-conducting semiconductor switch and said auxiliary switch, wherein said control circuit is operable to sense a voltage from the first energy storage device and close and open said auxiliary switch, respectively, when the voltage from the first energy storage device exceeds a predetermined first value and falls below a predetermined second value.