A novel automatic electronic resettable circuit for detecting and switching off failing fluorescent lamp

The main purpose of this study is to develop a criterion for detecting a failing fluorescent lamp with magnetic ballast and latch it to switch off condition until it is replaced. The circuit developed detects, switches off the lamp and remembers that it is faulty. On subsequent switching 'on' of the power to the circuit, the lamp does not make any attempt to start. This prevents any further high voltage appearing on the magnetic ballast to protect the ballast from failure. It prevents injection of EMI into the power lines. The novel method employed does so using nonvolatile memory in the circuit.