An apparatus and method for protecting projection lamps 3 in computer monitors, projection television receivers, video projectors 15, game displays and the like which incorporates a sensor 2 connected to a receiver 6 in an uninterruptible power supply 1. Sensor 2 detects when the power has been interrupted to lamp 3 and initiates a supply of power to a cooler 8 in projector 15 to the device containing the lamp 3 and begins a normal shut down protocol. The shut down protocol maintains cooling to lamp 3 allowing lamp 3 to cool to a temperature where power may safely be discontinued.