Igniting circuit operated by varying the impedance value of the controller

A circuit arrangement for igniting and operating a discharge lamp (1) comprising inductive means, which include a primary winding (PRIM) which passes a high-frequency current during ignition and during lamp operation, and a secondary winding (SEC) which is magnetically coupled to the primary winding and electrically coupled to an impedance M (C1, C3) for limiting the current passed by the secondary winding. The current through the secondary winding generates a DC voltage via rectifying means, by which current a part of the circuit arrangement is supplied. The circuit arrangement is also provided with apparatus X (R, S1) for increasing the impedance value of the impedance M after ignition of the discharge lamp. The amplitude of the DC voltage is thereby at a desired level both before and after ignition of the discharge lamp, while no major power dissipation takes place during stationary lamp operation.