A ballast circuit including a charge pump interface circuit is disclosed
to provide a method of isolating a switch from a power line used to power
a ballast for supplying electrical power to a lamp. In addition, the
charge pump interface circuit provides a method to control a discrete
dimming ballast circuit which includes one or more inverters. The charge
pump interface circuit offers cost advantages because no relays are
necessary for isolation of the switch from the lamp electrical power and
the dimming ballast circuit can be installed where existing lamps are
currently mounted, without the need to add additional wiring.