An electronic relay for initiating vapor discharges

THE recent introduction of low-voltage fluorescent lamps has created a need for automatic control auxiliaries. Several methods have been devised for the automatic starting and operation of these lamps, the most recent being a device known as the “glow relay”.^∗ Earlier methods had certain disadvantages as to cost, effect on the lamps, circuit efficiency, dependability, and ease of wiring. The invention of the glow relay resulted from attempts to overcome these undesirable features.