Alternating turn off timing of a fluorescent lamp starter unit

A Fluorescent Lamp Starter Unit (FLSU) comprising:

• two terminals;
• a switch that if on completes an electrical connection between the two terminals, and wherein the switch is a switch that if off breaks the electrical connection between the two terminals;
• and
• a processor that determines whether the FLSU is coupled to a L-type ballast or to a C-type ballast, wherein the processor controls a pulsing on of the switch so that a fluorescent lamp coupled to the FLSU is turned off, wherein the switch is pulsed on using first and second timing if the processor determines that the FLSU is coupled to an L-type ballast, and wherein the switch is pulsed on using second timing and using substantially no first timing if the processor determines that the FLSU is coupled to a C-type ballast.

A Fluorescent Lamp Starter Unit (FLSU) comprising:

• a switch;
• and
• means for:
• 1) pulsing the switch on and off thereby turning on a fluorescent lamp coupled to the FLSU, 2) controlling the switch in a first way using first timing and using second timing and thereby turning off the fluorescent lamp if the fluorescent lamp receives AC mains current via an L-type ballast, and 3) controlling the switch in a second way using the second timing and not using the first timing and thereby turning off the fluorescent lamp if the fluorescent lamp receives AC mains current via a C-type ballast.

A multi-lamp fluorescent light fixture comprising:

• an L-type ballast;
• a first Fluorescent Lamp Starter Unit (FLSU) adapted to turn on and to turn off a first fluorescent lamp coupled to the L-type ballast, wherein the first FLSU includes a switch which when turned on completes a current path through the first fluorescent lamp and when turned off breaks the current path, wherein the first FLSU turns off the first fluorescent lamp by pulsing the switch on and off using first pulses that have a first timing and also using second pulses that have a second timing;
• a C-type ballast;
• and
• a second FLSU adapted to turn on and to turn off a second fluorescent lamp coupled to the C-type ballast, wherein the second FLSU includes a switch which when turned on completes a current path through the second fluorescent lamp and when turned off breaks the current path, wherein the second FLSU turns off the second fluorescent lamp by pulsing the switch on and off using third pulses that have the first timing and using substantially no pulses that have the first timing.