Inverter and inverter driving method for enabling soft start of a load

An inverter and inverter driving method enable slow start of a load by gradually increasing the lamp current within a range less than a predetermined maximum level, thereby preventing improper operation of the inverter. The inverter includes a transformer for converting a DC input voltage into an AC output voltage, an inverter control unit for controlling a level of the AC output voltage from the transformer in response to a feedback current from a load driven by the AC output voltage, and a kick-off control unit for adjusting the feedback current during a kick-off period for starting the load.