Method for controlling an illuminant comprising at least two semiconductor light sources and connected to an electrical energy source, wherein - the illuminant converts an electrical power provided by the electrical energy source, by means of the semiconductor light sources, into an emitted light power dependent on the electrical power provided, - the electrical power provided is set by means of a control device by virtue of electrical power being applied to the semiconductor light sources in clocked operation by means of the control device , - the semiconductor light sources are controlled in accordance with clock pulse sequences individually assigned to the semiconductor light sources, - the clock pulse sequences form a common pulse pattern (I, II) and the light power emitted by the illuminant is set by the selection of a pulse pattern (I, II) assigned to the light power, - switching over from a first pulse pattern (I) assigned to a first emitted light power to a second pulse pattern (II) assigned to a second emitted light power is carried out for the purpose of changing the light power emitted by the illuminant, and characterized in that - switching over from the first to the second pulse pattern comprises interposing at least one third pulse pattern (Z1, Z2, Z3) assigned to a light power between the first light power and the second light power, and - the electrical power provided by the electrical energy source is converted by means of an electronic clocked energy converter , wherein the electronic clocked energy converter is controlled proactively by means of the control device , wherein - the proactive control comprises communicating a suitable control signal to the electronic clocked energy converter before a clock pulse sequence and/or a pulse pattern (I, II) are/is activated by means of the control device . - the illuminant converts an electrical power provided by the electrical energy source, by means of the semiconductor light sources, into an emitted light power dependent on the electrical power provided, - the electrical power provided is set by means of a control device by virtue of electrical power being applied to the semiconductor light sources in clocked operation by means of the control device , - the semiconductor light sources are controlled in accordance with clock pulse sequences individually assigned to the semiconductor light sources, - the clock pulse sequences form a common pulse pattern (I, II) and the light power emitted by the illuminant is set by the selection of a pulse pattern (I, II) assigned to the light power, - switching over from a first pulse pattern (I) assigned to a first emitted light power to a second pulse pattern (II) assigned to a second emitted light power is carried out for the purpose of changing the light power emitted by the illuminant, and - switching over from the first to the second pulse pattern comprises interposing at least one third pulse pattern (Z1, Z2, Z3) assigned to a light power between the first light power and the second light power, and - the electrical power provided by the electrical energy source is converted by means of an electronic clocked energy converter , wherein the electronic clocked energy converter is controlled proactively by means of the control device , wherein - the proactive control comprises communicating a suitable control signal to the electronic clocked energy converter before a clock pulse sequence and/or a pulse pattern (I, II) are/is activated by means of the control device . <EOS>