Igniters are required for lamps that cannot be started using normal line voltage. This is the case with high-pressure discharge lamps such as metal halide lamps and high-pressure sodium vapour lamps. The light they emit is generated by a gas discharge between two electrodes which requires a particular starting voltage to ignite it (1 kV to 5 kV depending on lamp wattage). For instant hot re-ignition, voltages higher than 5kV are required.

Types of device

The most widely used types of igniter are pulse igniters and superimposed-pulse igniters. Superimposed-pulse igniters have built-in transformers, which produce short high-voltage pulses. Owing to their small dimensions, they can be directly integrated in luminaires.

Pulse igniters, on the other hand, work with ballasts, which need to be of suitable design. Here, the ballast performs the function of the transformer and raises the voltage to the required level. Modern ballasts, in combination with pulse igniters, have digital ignition time limiters to prevent the cyclical activation and deactivation of lamps at the end of their life.

Fluorescent lamps also work on the gas discharge principle. They therefore need a starter to ignite them. Electronic ballasts (EBs) have a built-in start function, so they do not require a separate starter.