Patent ID: 6346782
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A multiple lamp ballast system comprising:a plurality of tubular fluorescent lamps having substantially the same current characteristics, each lamp having a first end and a second end; a ballast having: a power input lead; a ballast circuit electrically connected to said power input lead; a plurality of power output leads corresponding to the number of said tubular fluorescent lamps, said power output leads electrically connected to said ballast circuit; said ballast circuit operable to supply instant start lamp starting voltages and operating currents to said power output leads, said voltages and currents being approximately equal in magnitude and differing in phase by 360Â°/n wherein n is the number of power output leads being supplied; a first plurality of electrical contacts, each of said first contacts electrically connecting one of said power output leads to a different tubular fluorescent lamp first end, such that each power output lead is electrically connected to a separate fluorescent lamp; and a second plurality of electrical contacts electrically connecting each of said tubular fluorescent lamps second ends together, there being no wiring between said ballast and said tubular fluorescent lamp second ends.