Typically, most of the power interruptions to which lamps are subjected are of very brief duration, e.g., under one second, but even an interruption of this brief duration will cause a typical HID lamp to be extinguished. If the usual HID lamp is subjected to such a brief power interruption, it does not immediately reignite upon restoration of normal voltage thereacross. Typically, some cooling of the gases within the HID lamp will be required before the lamp will reignite in response to voltage applied thereacross. When the HID lamp does reignite in response to such voltage, its lumen output at the time of reignition is only a small fraction of normal. Gradually, this lumen output increases until the lamp regains its full brightness.