The mains voltage is not sufficient to strike discharge lamps, therefore, it is necessary to make use of particular electrical components called “Igniters”.
For over 70 years IREM has been a leading company in the field of power supply and ignition of discharge lamps. Thanks to a strong collaboration with various manufacturers of lighting systems, IREM has developed a wide range of igniters dedicated to the main discharge lamps used in various applications.
STRIKE AND HOT RESTRIKE
The striking of a discharge lamp requires a much higher electrical voltage than that which can be supplied from the mains, therefore it is necessary to use a particular ignition device (Igniter).
Some types of discharge lamps (Xenon, Metal Halide, Mercury, etc.) can only be lit with voltages ranging from 20kV up to 70kV.
Other types of discharge lamps, such as high intensity lamps (HID), require voltages ranging from 750V up to 5kV at the first cold striking, while to be re-ignited when hot they require much higher voltages, from 25kV up to 60kV.
It follows that the conventional ignition devices called “starters”, generating voltages up to 5kV, allow the ignition of a limited type of lamps and do not allow immediate hot-restrike, as a consequence of power interruptions or black out.
In particular applications such as the lighting of sports facilities, prisons, airports, ports, tunnels, stage lighting, industrial process lighting, etc. safety requirements and operational needs require the instant restore of lighting after voluntary or involuntary shutdowns caused by mains outages or blackouts.
To solve this problem, it is therefore necessary to use special igniters that can strike and immediately restrike the lamps in any operating condition.
IREM PROPOSAL
HOT RESTRIKE IGNITER AS, ASC, ASD, AD, ADN, ADC, ADI SERIES
Thanks to a strong cooperation with many manufacturers of lighting systems, IREM has developed a wide range of igniters specifically designed to strike and immediately hot-restrike discharge lamps no matter what their operating conditions.

AS, ASC, ASD SERIES
Hot-restrike igniters specifically designed to strike and immediately hot-restrike short arc Xenon lamps with power range from 150W up to 15kW.
Applications:
- Searchlight
- Solar simulation
- Industrial and/or scientific applications
- Motion projection (Digital and traditional)
- Events
- Theatres
- Architectural
AD, ADC, ADN SERIES
Hot-restrike igniters specifically designed to strike and hot-restrike of Metal Halide (HMI) lamps with power range from 200W up to 18kW.
Applications:
- Film and video shooting lighting (inside and outside)
- TV broadcast lighting
- Events lighting
- Theatre lighting
- Underwater illumination
- Special effects
- Overhead projections
ADI SERIES
Hot-restrike igniters specifically designed to strike and hot-restrike of high-intensity discharge lamps with power range from 400W up to 2kW.
Applications:
- Sport Lighting
- Wide areas lighting
- Security lighting
- Industrial plants, jails, airports, harbours, tunnels lighting
- TV shooting
Since not all lamps and / or lighting systems are suitable for instant restrike, some precautionary measures must be taken when using this type of Igniters.
When installing Hot-restrike Igniters, the compliance of the following components must be taken in account:
- Lamp
- Lamp holder
- Ballast/power supply
- Lighting device (luminaire, projector)