Patent ID: 6710554
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A dimmer arrangement for a gas discharge lamp assembly, the gas discharge lamp assembly including a gas discharge lamp and an inductive ballast, the dimmer arrangement being for connection to a domestic AC power supply, the dimmer arrangement comprising:(a) a first controllable switch deployed in series with said lamp assembly so as to selectively close a circuit from the power supply through said lamp assembly; (b) a second controllable switch deployed in parallel with said gas discharge lamp assembly so as to selectively close a circuit including said gas discharge lamp and said inductive ballast; (c) a controller operatively interconnected with said first and second controllable switches and configured to cyclically: (i) close said first controllable switch and open said second controllable switch, and (ii) close said second controllable switch and open said first controllable switch; and (d) a non-linear saturating inductance connected serially with said first and second controllable switches.