Patent ID: 7834562

Claim:
A discharge lamp lighting device comprising: a transformer; a transformer drive circuit; and a control circuit for controlling the transformer drive circuit, the transformer drive circuit driving a primary side of the transformer, a discharge lamp being lit by being connected to the secondary side of the transformer, wherein: the secondary side of the transformer has one end and the other end respectively connected to one end of the discharge lamp through a connector and to the ground; the discharge lamp lighting device further comprises: a discharge detecting pattern having one end connected to the ground and the other end connected to the control circuit; and means that detects a voltage induced by electromagnetic waves received by the discharge detecting pattern and stops the power supply to the secondary side of the transformer; the discharge detecting pattern partially includes a wave-shaped portion; and at least one part of the discharge detecting pattern is disposed adjacent to a portion ranging from a terminal of the secondary side of the transformer to the connector.