Patent ID: 6153983
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: H05B,Y10S

Abstract:
A full wave electronic starter for a compact fluorescent lamp comprising:an input circuit for receiving an open circuit voltage and rectifying the voltage;a charging capacitor connected to the input circuit, configured to accumulate the rectified voltage;a switch connected between the input circuit and the charging capacitor;a pair of lamp cathodes connected to the switch such that the switch provides a preheat current to the lamp cathodes when the switch is on;a latch connected between the input circuit and the lamp cathodes; anda Zener diode circuit connected between the latch and the lamp cathodes to maintain the latch in an off state for up to a predetermined rectified voltage stored on the charging capacitor,wherein once the rectified voltage on the charging capacitor is greater than the rated value of the Zener diode circuit the latch is moved to an on state, turning the switch off and causing the charging capacitor to discharge through the lamp electrodes.