Patent ID: 6911778

Claim:
An electronic circuit for controlling the ignition of a pre-heat type gas discharge lamp comprising: an operating winding ( 33 ) for supplying a high voltage AC to opposite electrodes of the gas discharge lamp; filament power supply means ( 39 , 41 ) for heating filaments of the gas discharge lamp; a delay switch ( 37 ) for switching on of the operating winding ( 33 ) only after a predetermined delay time after a switching on of the filament power supply means ( 39 , 41 ), wherein said delay switch ( 37 ) comprises a solid-state switch said electronic circuit comprising a capacitor ( 9 ), a first resistor ( 11 ) and a second resistor ( 13 ) being serially connected between a positive ( 2 ) and a negative ( 4 ) terminal of said electronic circuit, said capacitor ( 9 ) and said first and second resistor ( 11 , 13 ) forming a DC voltage divider for controlling a delayed switching of said solid-state switch ( 37 ).