Patent ID: 6707263
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: H05B,Y02B,Y10S

Abstract:
A ballast for powering at least one high-intensity discharge lamp, comprising:a pair of input connections adapted to receive a conventional source of alternating current (AC) voltage; a pair of output connections for connection to the lamp; a pair of dimming control inputs for connection to an external dimming controller, the external dimming controller being operable to receive a user relamp command and, in response, provide a special relamp signal at the dimming control inputs; an ignitor coupled to the output connections and operable to provide high voltage pulses for igniting the lamp; a control circuit coupled to the ignitor and operable to direct the ignitor to provide high voltage pulses; and a dimming interface coupled to the dimming control inputs and the control circuit, the dimming interface being operable, in response to the special relamp signal from the external dimming controller following replacement of the lamp, to command the control circuit to direct the ignitor to provide high voltage pulses for igniting the lamp.