Method for operating a lamp, particularly for medical applications, and a lamp having a discharge lamp

Abstract

In order to make continuous lamp operation in a failsafe lamp, particularly a lamp for medical applications, having a discharge lamp possible even When changing over between a power supply system (low voltage supply system of, for example, 24 V) and an additional safety power supply (ZSV), a buffer store is discharged in the event of a fault in the power supply for a supply unit for the lamp by changing over to a standby power source, or, once the fault has been elitinated, from the standby power source back to the normal power supply, the buffer store outputting electrical energy to operate the discharge lamp. The electrical energy supplied to the supply unit (EVG) first passes through a full-wave rectifier and is then supplied to a voltage converter containig the buffer store. The discharge lamp is subsequently supplied with the electrical energy via a power-regulated inverter. Thus, it is ensured that, even for changeover procedures with different current types—e.g. from alternating current to direct current—the power regulation of the discharge lamp permits unimpaired, continuous discharge lamp operation. In the event of a fault in the operation of the discharge lamp or its energy supply, a circuit for operating a halogen incandescent lamp as a reserve lamp is completed.