General assembly for controlling light intensity of a gas discharge lamp

A dimmer assembly for controlling light intensity of a gas discharge lamp, comprising:

• dimming controller having an input terminal connectable to one pole of an alternating current source and having an output terminal connectable to the line leading to one of the two filament electrodes of the lamp, the dimming controller being adapted to provide an attenuated and conditioned power at its output terminal;
• the dimming controller being adapted upon feeding the input terminal with the current, to operate in a first mode constituting a full power mode for a time period t.sub.1, during which the link between the two terminals is in full conductance bringing about full light intensity of the discharge lamp, and being further adapted after t.sub.1 to enter into a second mode constituting a dimming mode, during which the link between the two terminals is in partial conductance bringing about attenuated intensity of the discharge lamp;
• the said time t.sub.1 is sufficient to facilitate effective dimming in the dimming mode;
• said dimmer assembly further comprising:
• a starter unit having two terminals one connectable to each of the filament electrodes of the lamp, which, when initially energized enables electrical connectivity between the electrodes, and after a predetermined time delay disconnects the said electrical connectivity, whereby the only connection between the two terminals being then through the discharged gas inside the lamp.