Patent ID: 7893628

Claim:
An electronic circuit to operate a plurality of gas discharge lamps (La) at a common alternating voltage source (U˜) for the defined distribution of current to the individual branches, comprising a: the alternating current through each lamp (La) is separated into its positive and negative half cycles by means of diodes (Dp, Dn) and b: the positive half cycle is conducted back via the collector-emitter section of an npn transistor (Qp) and an emitter resistor (Re) to the ac voltage source, and c: the negative half cycle is conducted back via the collector-emitter section of a pnp transistor (Qn) and an emitter resistor (Re) to the voltage source, and d: the base terminals of all npn transistors (Qp) are electrically connected directly to one another or are connected via individual base resistors (Rb) to one another and e: the base terminals of all pnp transistors (Qn) are electrically connected directly to one another or connected via individual base resistors (Rb) to one another and f: the common base currents for the transistors (Qp; Qn) derived from the lamp current of a gas discharge lamp (La) have to overcome a potential step provided by an element comprising a Zener diode (Zp; Zn).