Glow-switch starter, lighting device and lighting system therewith, and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to glow-switch starters 1, lighting devices therewith and use thereof. The glow-switch starter 1 is suitable for use with three phase supply voltages substantially higher than the common 230V supply voltage 26. This allows more efficient gas discharges in e.g. fluorescent lamps 20, and/or more lamp power, and/or less energy losses in ballasts 22 and lamp electrodes. To make the glow-switch starter suited for such use, according to the invention, the gas filling 5 of the starter 1 is adapted. An important criterion is that the glow current in the steady state operation of the fluorescent lamp that is started by the starter is small enough to prevent closing of the (bimetallic) switch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.