DISCHARGE LAMP LIGHTING DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discharge lamp lighting device capable of minimizing occurrence of uneven irradiation while prolonging the life of the discharge lamp.SOLUTION: A discharge lamp lighting device 1 comprises a transformer T in which one ends of a primary winding W1 and a secondary winding W2 are connected, a DC power supply Vin which applies a voltage to the other end of the primary winding W1, a switch element Q, and a control unit 10 for controlling the switch element Q. The switch element Q is provided between the one ends of the primary winding W1 and secondary winding W2 and a reference potential source GND. A first electrode ELT 1 of a discharge lamp Lamp is connected with the other end of the secondary winding W2. After a specific voltage is applied to the first electrode ELT 1 of a discharge lamp Lamp by controlling the switch element Q in the control unit 10, a glow discharge voltage lower than the specific voltage is applied.