The invention relates to a device for the control of fluorescent lamps in a lighting arrangement that comprises at least one such fluorescent lamp, wherein for each fluorescent lamp the device has the following characteristics: a capacitive voltage divider consisting of a first capacitor and a second capacitor that are connected in series to the fluorescent lamp, a switch that is connected in parallel to one of the capacitors, means of measuring the momentary lamp current that flows through the fluorescent lamp and a control circuit to generate an input signal for the semiconductor switch depending on the momentary lamp current.