-
Filament electrodes are preheated and glow red
-
The Cathode begins to ionize argon gas surrounding it
-
This lamp is powered by AC power, so the cathode switches to the other side and you see the left side begin to ionize, the other side (now the anode) stays warm and ionized
-
The left side cathode warms to full and both sides are warmed up
-
The ballast provides a high voltage kick which instantly ionizes the entire tube to a high level of brightness
-
The lamp returns to normal voltage and its warmth has vaporized all the mercury, the lamp operates as normal