Method for controlling a half-bridge circuit and corresponding half-bridge circuit

onA circuit arrangement for operation of lamps, including a half-bridge arrangement which has an upper and a lower electronic switch (Q, Q), which are connected in series, each having a control connection and forming a neutral point (N) at their connection point. The circuit arrangement further includes: a load circuit, in which a load circuit current (IL) flows, is connected to the neutral point (N); a feedback device; a stop device; a timer coupled to the input of the stop device; and a trigger device. A sequence controller is configured to preset an on-time (t) during the preheating time of the electrodes of the lamps, by means of the timer, and after the preheating time of the electrodes of the lamps, this on-time is continuously increased until it corresponds at least to one quarter of the period duration of the resonant frequency of the reactance network.