Due to the physical principle of gas discharge, fluorescent lamps cannot be operated directly on a mains voltage system. The current that runs through the lamp after ignition is unlimited and could instantly destroy the lamp. Therefore, fluorescent lamps must be driven by current limiting ballasts. Until recently, all fluorescent lamps were operated by Conventional Control Gear (CCG). Today, more and more lamps are being driven by Electronic Control Gear (ECG) due to their many advantages.
 
Old
T12 lamp, starter and
conventional control gear

How an ECG works
 

• EMC: Electromagnetic Compatibility
• Rectifier: Converts AC to DC
• PFC: Power Factor Correction
• HF generator
• Safety switch-off
• CS: storage capacitor