> The capacitor in series with the lamp makes sure that the lamp does not
> have dc through it. The lamp is in fact a mercury vapor rectifier that
> just so happens to emit light. It tends to amplify any asymmetry in the
> electrodes by generating dc. The capacitor prevents that. This is
> especially true with dimmed FL lamps which have relatively cold
> electrodes in operation. The problem is common to all mercury vapor lamps
> (including common fluorescent tubes).

    Veeeeeeeeery interesting, Peter! I'll look for some datasheets and learn
more. Thanks a lot! ;o)


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