The present invention relates to glow-switch starters 1, lighting devices
therewith and use thereof. The glow-switch starter 1 is suitable for use
with three phase supply voltages substantially higher than the common
230V supply voltage 26. This allows more efficient gas discharges in e.g.
fluorescent lamps 20, and/or more lamp power, and/or less energy losses
in ballasts 22 and lamp electrodes. To make the glow-switch starter
suited for such use, according to the invention, the gas filling 5 of the
starter 1 is adapted. An important criterion is that the glow current in
the steady state operation of the fluorescent lamp that is started by the
starter is small enough to prevent closing of the (bimetallic) switch.