EP2459930A1

EP2459930A1 - Lighting system

Info

Publication number: EP2459930A1
Application number: EP10804788A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kjell Olov Lindberg; Ulf Oscar Andreas Persson
Original assignee: TD Light Sweden AB
Current assignee: TD Light Sweden AB
Priority date: 2009-07-29
Filing date: 2010-07-07
Publication date: 2012-06-06
Also published as: SE533502C2; WO2011014111A1; SE0950570A1; EP2459930A4

Abstract

The present invention provides a lighting system (10) comprising a fluorescent tube armature (1), a tubular lamp (27), such as a LED light device, intended to replace a fluorescent tube (3) previously present in the armature, and a device (30) intended to replace a fluorescent starter (14) previously present in a fluorescent starter socket (15) of the armature. The tubular lamp is designed to be fed with current from one end only, and the fluorescent starter replacement device (30) adapts the armature for operation with such a single-side fed lamp. The proposed lighting system (10) eliminates or at least mitigates the risk of being subjected to electrical shocks when replacing fluorescent tubes with tubular lamps in existing fluorescent tube armatures.

Description

LIGHTING SYSTEM

Technical field The invention relates to a lighting system according to the preamble of claim 1 , a tubular lamp intended to replace a fluorescent tube in a fluorescent tube armature according to the preamble of claim 2, and a device according to the preamble of claim 10.

Background

Fluorescent tubes are based on the fact that a gas mixture of, for instance, argon and mercury vapour emits light at a satisfactory luminous efficiency when the gas is traversed by an electric current. Since this light substantially consists of UV radiation, the fluorescent tubes are coated on the inside with luminescent materials that react with the UV radiation. The fluorescent tubes have a considerable better luminous efficiency than conventional incandescent lamps, and their service life is longer than what is the case for the incandescent lamps, but finally, they still have to be replaced. This may involve an extensive operation, e.g., in public environments, where great amounts of fluorescent tubes are used.

As an alternative to using fluorescent tubes, LED light devices have been developed. An advantage of using LED light devices is that the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have considerably lower energy consumption than corresponding fluorescent tubes, and therefore the power usage can be decreased from approximately 13W to approximately 3W. Furthermore, the life time of a LED light device is normally considerably longer than the life time of a fluorescent tube.

A tubular LED light device intended to replace a previously present fluorescent tube in a fluorescent tube armature is known from WO2007/091972 A1. The LED light device comprises at least one but preferably several LEDs connected in series to an electric circuit connecting at least one end connector arranged in one end of the tubular LED light device with at least one end connector arranged in the other end of the tubular LED light device. When mounted in a fluorescent tube armature, an end connector in one of the ends is electrically connected to a phase wire via a conductor in one of the fluorescent tube sockets while an end connector in the other end of the LED light device is connected to a neutral wire via a conductor in the other fluorescent tube socket. When exchanging a fluorescent tube for a LED light device or any other electrical lamp, the fluorescent starter (sometimes also referred to as the glow switch, or simply the starter) should be either electrically disconnected or completely removed from the fluorescent starter socket in the fluorescent tube armature.

LED light devices similar to the one described above are also known from co-pending patent applications SE 0950075-2 and SE 0950074-5. A problem related to these types of LED light devices is that the end connectors in the opposite ends of the device are electrically connected to each other via the electric circuit to which the LEDs are connected. Thus, while fluorescent tubes do not conduct current before a high voltage has been applied between the end connectors in opposite ends of the tube, LED light devices intended to replace fluorescent tubes in fluorescent tube armatures do. This poses a risk to any person trying to install a LED light device in a fluorescent tube armature since the person may be subjected to electric shocks if touching an end connector in a free end of the LED light device when an end connector in the opposite end of the LED light device is brought into electrical contact with a conductor of a fluorescent tube socket.

WO2009/087074 A1 addresses this problem by presenting a rod-shaped lamp, such as a rod-shaped LED hght device, comprising at least one power switch which is brought to close an electric circuit including light-emitting members, such as LEDs, when the two ends of the lamp are simultaneously inserted into a respective contact socket of a light fitting, such a fluorescent tube armature. The power switch comprises one or several switching members which may consist of one or more pressing members projecting from the lamp. The pressing members are displaceable into the lamp and are arranged to close the electric circuit including the light-emitting members when displaced into the lamp. The pressing members may be arranged on at least one switching body, which is arranged to be displaced into the lamp when the pressing members are brought into contact with the respective contact socket or sockets. The switching body may support at least one guide pin, which is arranged to run into at least one guiding groove when the two ends of the lamp are simultaneously inserted into a respective contact socket. The inward motion of the guide pin may be arranged to be stopped by at least one guide head if one of the ends of the lamp is inserted into a contact socket before the other. Thus, VVO2U09/067074 discloses a mechanical solution intended to prevent that a contact member as ranged m any of the ends of tho rod-shaped lamp engages in elfectπodi contact with a conductor in a contact socket of a hyht fitting unl^bb both ends of the lamp are inserted simultaneously into a re&pecϋve conlad socket Howovei , the mechanical safety device for rod-shaped lamps described above suffers from beveral drawbackb Firstly, the use of moving patts increases the complexity and hence the manufacturing cosi of the product Secondly, any malfunction or inaccuracy in the operation of the powes switch may jeopardize the safety of a pes son instating the lamp into a light Mtinq

Summary

It is an object of the invention to provide an arrangement allowing a tubular lamp, such as an LED light device, to be used in a standard fluorescent tube armature, which arrangement eliminates or at least mitigates the risk of being subjected to electrical shocks when inserting the lamp into the armature.

This object is achieved by a lighting system comprising:

- a fluorescent tube armature comprising:

- a fluorescent starter socket for receiving a fluorescent starter;

- a first and a second fluorescent tube socket, each comprising two conductors for connection to a respective end connector of a fluorescent tube, and

- a tubular lamp comprising a first pair of end connectors in a first end of the lamp and a second pair of end connectors in a second end of the lamp, and electric circuitry comprising at least one light-emitting member. The lighting system is characterised in that a device configured to provide for continuous electrical contact between an end connector of the first pair of end connectors and an end connector of the second pair of end connectors during normal operation of the lighting system is mounted in the fluorescent starter socket, and in that the electric circuitry of the tubular lamp is configured such that no current can flow from an end connector of the first pair to an end connector of the second pair, through the lamp.

By replacing a fluorescent starter in a standard fluorescent tube armature with the proposed replacement device, the conductors of the fluorescent tube sockets normally connected to the fluorescent starter become continuously connected to each other during normal operation of the lighting system, i.e. as long as the system functions as intended and no overcurrent occurs in the system (in contrast to when a conventional fluorescent starter is mounted in the fluorescent starter socket in which case electrical contact is established between said sockets only for a very short period of time when starting the fluorescent tube). This allows use of a tubular lamp which can be fed with current from one side only, which in turn makes it possible for the end connectors on opposite sides of the lamp to be interiorly, electrically isolated from each other, meaning that electric current cannot flow from an end connector in one end of the lamp to an end connector in the other end of the lamp, through the lamp. Instead, when the lamp is mounted in the fluorescent tube armature and the power is switched on, current will flow between end connectors on opposite ends of the lamp only through wires in the fluorescent tube armature.

Since no current can flow from an end connector in one end of the lamp to an end connector in the other end of the lamp unless properly mounted in the armature, a person holding one side of the lamp while inserting the free end into a fluorescent tube socket of an armature will not be subjected to electrical shocks.

Thus, according to an aspect of the invention, a tubular lamp intended to replace a fluorescent tube in a standard fluorescent tube armature is provided. The tubular lamp comprises a first pair of end connectors in a first end of the lamp and a second pair of end connectors in a second end of the lamp, and electric circuitry comprising at least one light-emitting member. The lamp is characterised in that the electric circuitry is configured such that no electric current can flow from an end connector of the first pair to an end connector of the second pair, through the lamp.

The electric circuitry of the tubular lamp is configured such that the at least one light- emitting member is connected along an electric line between the end connectors of the same pair, i.e. end connectors in the same end of the lamp. Thereby, the lamp can be operated by applying a voltage over these end connectors or, in other words, the electric circuitry is configured to make the tubular lamp a "single-side fed lamp". The end connector pair to which the at least one light-emitting member is electrically coupled will hereinafter be referred to as the current-providing end connector pair. As mentioned above, this electric circuitry design allows the end connectors in opposite ends of the lamp to be electrically isolated from each other. Thus, according to an aspect of the invention, a single-side fed, end-to-end insulated tubular lamp is provided, which lamp is electrically safe and minimizes the risk of being subjected to electrical shocks upon installation thereof.

The electric circuitry may for example comprise a first electric circuit electrically connecting the end connectors of the first pair with each other, which first electric circuit comprises the at least one light-emitting member, and a second electric circuit electrically connecting the end connectors of the second pair with each other. The first and second electric circuits are electrically isolated from each other such that no current can flow between end connectors in opposite ends of the lamp.

Preferably, the first electric circuit comprises AC/DC converting means configured to convert alternating current received through the end connectors of the first pair to direct current in order to supply the at least one light-emitting member with direct current. The AC/DC converting means may further be connected to current regulating means of the first electric circuit, which current regulating means is configured to supply the at least one light-emitting member with a controlled direct current so as to maintain the light intensity output by the light-emitting member at a substantially constant level. The second electric circuit electrically connecting the end connectors of the second pair with each other may comprise nothing but a wire or signal line connecting the two end connectors with each other. However, the second electric circuit may also comprise overcurrent-protection means, such as a fuse, to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value to flow between the end connectors of the second pair.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one light-emitting member is a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Preferably, several LEDs are connected in series along the first electric circuit which electrically connects the end connectors of the first pair of end connectors with each other. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is applicable for any type of light-emitting member(s) having conducting connections. For example, the light-emitting member(s) could be one or several conventional incandescent bulb lamps.

According to another aspect of the invention, a device intended to replace a fluorescent starter in a standardized fluorescent starter socket of a fluorescent tube armature is provided. The device, which hereinafter will be referred to as a fluorescent starter replacement device, is hence for use in a lighting system comprising a fluorescent tube armature including fluorescent tube sockets for receiving a fluorescent tube, and a fluorescent starter socket for receiving a fluorescent starter. The device comprises a housing and a first and second connector, which housing and connectors are configured such that the device can be fitted in and electrically connected to a fluorescent starter socket. The device is characterised in that it comprises an electric circuit configured to provide a continuous electrical connection between said first and second connectors during normal operation of the lighting system. The fluorescent starter replacement device thus differs from a conventional fluorescent starter in that current can flow therethrough continuously when the lighting system is in use, such that the conductors of the fluorescent tube sockets to which the fluorescent starter socket is connected become continuously connected to each other. The fluorescent starter replacement device is advantageously sized such that the dimensions thereof correspond to conventional standardized fluorescent starters.

Preferably, the electric circuit providing for the continuous connection between the first and second connector comprises current-limiting means, such as a fuse, to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value to flow therebetween.

When the fluorescent starter replacement device is mounted in the fluorescent starter socket of a fluorescent tube armature holding a tubular lamp as described above, one of the current-providing end connectors of the tubular lamp will be coupled (directly or indirectly) to a phase wire while the other current-providing end connector will be coupled (directly or indirectly) to a neutral wire such that the required single-side feed coupling is accomplished.

Further advantageous embodiments of the light device and the fluorescent starter replacing device are set forth in the dependent claims and the detailed description following hereinafter.

Brief description of the drawings The objects, advantages and effects as well as features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a fluorescent tube armature in which a conventional fluorescent tube is fitted.

Fig. 2 illustrates the same fluorescent tube armature adapted for operation with a LED light device according to prior art. Fig. 3 illustrates a lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates a fluorescent starter replacement device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description

Fig. 1 shows schematically a side view of a fluorescent tube armature 1 into which a fluorescent tube 3 according to prior art is fitted.

The fluorescent tube armature 1 (hereinafter referred to as the armature) comprises two fluorescent tube sockets 5A, 5B located at a distance from each other and adapted to receive the ends of the fluorescent tube 3. The fluorescent tube 3 comprises two end connectors 7A-7D (an end connector pair) in each end of the tubular lamp body 8, and each fluorescent tube socket 5A, 5B comprises two conductors 9A-9D adapted to electrically engage with a respective end connector Ik-ID when the fluorescent tube 3 is properly installed in the armature 1. One of the conductors 9B, 9D in each fluorescent tube socket 5A, 5B is electrically coupled to a mains supply 1 1 via a neutral wire 12A and a phase wire 12B, respectively, which mains supply 1 1 provides the fluorescent tube 3 with current. An inductor 13, sometimes referred to as a choke, ballast, or choke ballast, is typically arranged within the armature 1 along the phase wire 12B. The other conductor 9A, 9C of each fluorescent tube socket 5A, 5B is electrically coupled to a fluorescent starter 14 mounted in a fluorescent starter socket 15, via a respective fluorescent starter wire 16A, 16B arranged within the armature 1.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a side view of the fluorescent tube armature illustrated in Fig. 1 in which the fluorescent tube 3 has been exchanged for a light-emitting diode (LED) light device 17 according to prior art. The armature 1 has been adapted for operation with the LED light device 17 by removing the fluorescent starter 14 which is not needed and could damage the components of the LED light device 17 since it may cause inductive kicks from the inductor 13, which inductive kicks are used to start fluorescent tubes for which the armature 1 is originally intended.

The end connectors Ik-ID of each end connector pair 7A/7B, ICIlD of the LED light device 17 are electrically connected to each other via resistors 19 so as to allow the LED light device 17 to be inserted into the fluorescent tube sockets 5A, 5B in any conceivable manner, i.e. to ensure operation of the LED light device 17 no matter which end connector Ik-ID is connected to which conductor 9A-9D of the fluorescent tube sockets 5A, 5B. Furthermore, both end connector pairs 7A/7B, 7C/7D are electrically connected to AC/DC converting means 21 for converting the alternating current received from the mains supply 1 1 to direct current. The direct current is then supplied to a plurality of LEDs 25 connected in series.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a side view of a lighting system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The lighting system 10 comprises a fluorescent tube armature 1 and a tubular, or rod- shaped, lamp 27. The armature 1 comprises a first 5A and a second 5B fluorescent tube socket, each comprising two conductors 9A-9D for connection to a respective end connector of a fluorescent tube. The armature further comprises a fluorescent starter socket 15 for receiving a fluorescent starter, which fluorescent starter socket 15 comprises two conductors (not shown) of which one is connected to a conductor 9A in the first fluorescent tube socket 5A and the other is connected to a conductor 9C in the second fluorescent tube socket 5B through fluorescent starter wires 16A, 16B within the armature 1. The tubular lamp 27 comprises a housing 40, a first pair 7A/7B of end connectors in a first end of the lamp and a second pair ICIlD of end connectors in a second end of the lamp, and electric circuitry 29A, 29B comprising at least one light- emitting member 28. In this embodiment, the at least one light-emitting member 28 is constituted by a plurality of LEDs connected in series, making the tubular lamp 27 a tubular, or rod-shaped, LED light device.

The lighting system 10 further comprises a device 30 which is mounted in the fluorescent starter socket 15 and hence replaces the fluorescent starter (14 in Fig. 1 ) normally located in the fluorescent starter socket 15 when the armature 1 is used with conventional fluorescent tubes. The fluorescent starter replacement device 30 is configured to connect the two conductors of the fluorescent starter socket 15 during normal operation of the lighting system 10 such that a continuous electrical contact between an end connector 7A of the first pair 7A/7B of end connectors and an end connector 7C of the second pair 7C/7D of end connectors of the tubular lamp 27 is achieved when the lamp is inserted between the fluorescent tube sockets 5A, 5B. The electric circuitry 29A, 29B of the tubular lamp 27 is configured such that the end connectors 7A, 7B of the first pair are electrically connected to each other via a first electric circuit 29A comprising the at least one light emitting member 28, and the end connectors 7C, 7D of the second pair are electrically connected to each other via a second electric circuit 29B, which first 29A and second 29B electric circuits are electrically isolated from each other within the lamp. The first electric circuit 29A comprises two resistors 31 (of which only one is indicated with a reference numeral), each connected between a respective end connector 7A, 7B of the first end connector pair and an AC/DC converting means 21 as previously described with reference to Fig. 2. The resistors 31 may be e.g. negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistors and the AC/DC converting means 21 may be constituted by e.g. a diode bridge which rectifies the alternating current (AC) received from the mains supply to a direct current (DC). The AC/DC converting means 21 is connected to a current regulating means 23 for supplying the DC current thereto. The current regulating means 23 is in turn connected to the plurality of LEDs 28 and adapted to supply the LEDs 28 with a controlled DC current so as to maintain the light intensity output by the LEDs 28 at a substantially constant level. To this end, the current regulating means 23 may include a switched-mode power supply, such as a Buck regulator, and be configured to limit the strength of the rectified voltage wave received from the AC/DC converter so as to limit the strength of the DC current supplied to the LEDs 28, and to up-convert the frequency of said rectified voltage wave to obtain a high-frequency pulsating voltage wave having a frequency exceeding the human flicker fusion threshold to make the LEDs 28 appear continuously lit. Thus, the AC/DC converting means 21 and the current regulating means 23 may transform the high voltage with AC current received from the mains supply 1 1 into a high-frequency, pulsating low voltage with a DC current suitable for operating the LEDs 28. In this exemplary embodiment, the second electric circuit 29B comprises nothing but a wire or signal line connecting the two end connectors 7C, 7D of the second end connector pair with each other. However, the second electric circuit 29B may very well comprise electrical components. For example, overcurrent-protection means, such as a fuse, may be connected between the end connectors 7C, 7D of the second pair to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value to flow therebetween. This is particularly advantageous if no such overcurrent-protection means is included in the fluorescent starter replacement device 30.

The design of the electric circuitry 29A, 29B of the tubular lamp 27 allows the lamp to be powered from one end only, namely by applying a voltage over the end connectors 7A, 7B of the first end connector pair. The tubular lamp 27 is hence a single-side fed lamp. The end connector pair 7A, 7B between which the at least one light-emitting member 28 is connected will hereinafter sometimes be referred to as the current-providing end connector pair.

The fluorescent starter replacement device 30 serves to adapt the armature 1 for operation with single-side fed lamps by ensuring that the end connectors 7A, 7B of the current-providing end connector pair 7A, 7B become electrically coupled to a neutral wire 12A and a phase wire 12B, respectively, no matter how the tubular lamp 27 is inserted into the fluorescent tube sockets 5A, 5B. In the scenario illustrated in Fig. 3, one of the current-providing end connectors 7A is electrically coupled to the phase wire 12B via the second end connector pair 7C, 7D which are connected to each other through the second electric circuit 29B, the fluorescent starter wires 16A, 16B which are connected to each other through the replacement device 30, and the conductor 9A of the fluorescent tube socket 5A, while the other current-providing end connector 7B is electrically coupled to the neutral wire 12A via the conductor 9B of the fluorescent tube socket 5A.

Fig. 4 illustrates the fluorescent starter replacement device 30 in more detail. When describing Fig. 4, reference will simultaneously be made to previous drawings. As previously mentioned, the device 30 is intended to replace a fluorescent starter 14 in a standardized fluorescent starter socket 15 of a fluorescent tube armature 1. The fluorescent starter replacement device 30 is hence for use in a lighting system 10 comprising a fluorescent tube armature including fluorescent tube sockets 5A, 5B for receiving a fluorescent tube 3, and a fluorescent starter socket 15 for receiving a fluorescent starter 14. The device 30 is for use in such a system when a single-side fed lamp 27 as described above is inserted into the fluorescent tube sockets 5A, 5B. The fluorescent starter replacement device 30 comprises a housing 32 and a first 33A and second 33B connector, which housing and connectors are configured such that the fluorescent starter replacement device 30 can be fitted in and electrically connected to the fluorescent starter socket 15. The fluorescent starter replacement device 30 further comprises an electric circuit 34 configured to provide a continuous electrical connection between the first 33A and second 33B connectors during normal operation of the lighting system, i.e. as long as the system functions as intended and no overcurrent occurs in the system.

Preferably, the electric circuit 34 comprises overcurrent-protection means 35, such as a fuse, to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value to flow through the device, i.e. between the first 33A and second 33B connectors. The overcurrent-protection means 35 is configured for a rated current, i.e. a maximum current that the overcurrent- protection means 35 can continuously conduct without interrupting the electric connection between the first 33A and second 33B connector, that is high enough to ensure continuous connection between the connectors 33A, 33B during normal operation of the lighting system 10, and low enough to ensure that the circuit is broken if a failure occurs within the system. The overcurrent-protection means 35 may, for example, be configured for a rated current of 330 mA.

Preferably, the fluorescent starter replacement device 30 is sized such that the dimensions thereof correspond to conventional standardized fluorescent starters.

Therefore, the housing 32 of the fluorescent starter replacement device 30 is typically a cylindrical housing having a diameter of 21 mm, preferably made of aluminium or a plastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), or any combination of these. The connectors 33A, 33B are preferably shaped as contact pins protruding from an end of the cylindrical housing 32, spaced apart by 12 mm. The length of the replacement device 30, i.e. the distance from the top of the connectors 33A, 33B to the opposite end of the cylindrical housing 32, is preferably 39 mm.

The tubular lamp 27 can be dimensioned for use in any existing fluorescent tube armature. As well known in the art, there are several standards for fluorescent tubes (e.g. T8, T10, T12 and T5), each defining fluorescent tubes having a certain length and diameter, a certain distance between the end connectors, etc. It should be appreciated that the tubular lamp 27 and the components thereof can be adapted such that the lamp 27 can replace a fluorescent tube according to any of these standards.

Claims

1. A lighting system (10) comprising:

- a fluorescent tube armature (1 ) comprising:

- a fluorescent starter socket (15) for receiving a fluorescent starter (14);

- a first (5A) and a second (5B) fluorescent tube socket, each comprising two conductors (9A-9D) for connection to a respective end connector (7A-7D) of a fluorescent tube (3);

- a tubular lamp (27) comprising a first pair of end connectors (7A, 7B) in a first end of the lamp and a second pair of end connectors (7C, 7D) in a second end of the lamp, and electric circuitry (29A, 29B) comprising at least one light-emitting member (28), characterised in that a device (30) configured to provide for continuous electrical contact between an end connector (7A) of the first pair of end connectors (7A, 7B) and an end connector (7C) of the second pair of end connectors (7C, 7D) during normal operation of the lighting system (10) is mounted in the fluorescent starter socket (15), and in that the electric circuitry (29A, 29B) of the tubular lamp (27) is configured such that no current can flow from an end connector (7A, 7B) of the first pair to an end connector (7C, 7D) of the second pair, through the lamp (27).

2. A tubular lamp (27) intended to replace a fluorescent tube in a fluorescent tube armature (1 ), comprising a first pair of end connectors (7A, 7B) in a first end of the lamp and a second pair of end connectors (7C, 7D) in a second end of the lamp, and electric circuitry (29A, 29B) comprising at least one light-emitting member (28), characterised in that the electric circuitry (29A, 29B) is configured such that no current can flow from an end connector (7A, 7B) of the first pair to an end connector (7C, 7D) of the second pair, through the lamp (27).

3. A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 2, wherein said electric circuitry (29A, 29B) comprises a first electric circuit (29A) electrically connecting the end connectors (7A, 7B) of the first pair with each other.

4. A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 3, wherein said first electric circuit (29A) comprises said at least one light-emitting member (28).

5. A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 4, wherein said first electric circuit (29A) comprises AC/DC converting means (21 ) configured to convert alternating current received through the end connectors (7A, 7B) of the first pair to direct current in order to supply the at least one light-emitting member (28) with direct current.

6. A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 5, wherein said first electric circuit (29A) further comprises current regulating means (23) connected to said AC/DC converting means (21 ), which current regulating means (23) is configured to supply the at least one light- emitting member (28) with a controlled direct current so as to maintain the light intensity output by the at least one light-emitting member (28) at a substantially constant level.

7. A tubular lamp (27) according to any of the claims 3 to 6, wherein said electric circuitry (29A, 29B) comprises a second electric circuit (29B) electrically connecting the end connectors (7C, 7D) of the second pair with each other, said second electric circuit (29B) being electrically isolated from said first electric circuit (29A).

8. A tubular lamp (27) according to claim 7, wherein said second electric circuit (29B) comprises overcurrent-protection means configured to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value to flow between the end connectors (7C, 7D) of the second pair.

9. A tubular lamp (27) according to any of the claims 2 to 8, wherein the at least one light-emitting member (28) is a plurality of light-emitting diodes [LEDs].

10. A device (30) for use in a lighting system (10) comprising a fluorescent tube armature (1 ) including fluorescent tube sockets (5A, 5B) for receiving a fluorescent tube (3), and a fluorescent starter socket (15) for receiving a fluorescent starter (14), the device (30) comprising a housing (32) and a first (33A) and second (33B) connector, the housing (32) and the connectors (33A, 33B) being configured such that the device (30) can be fitted in and electrically connected to said fluorescent starter socket (15), characterised in that the device (30) comprises an electric circuit (34) configured to provide a continuous electrical connection between said first and second connectors (33A, 33B) during normal operation of the lighting system (10) so as to adapt said fluorescent tube armature (1 ) for operation with a tubular lamp (27) according to any of the claims 2 to 9.

1 1. A device (30) according to claim 10, wherein the electric circuit (34) comprises overcurrent-protection means (35) configured to prevent current exceeding a certain threshold value to flow between said connectors (33A, 33B).