the present invention provides a ballast circuit powered by a system power source . the ballast , in operative connection with the system power source , is an inverting type of ballast designed to generate an asymmetric alternating lamp input current on a lamp input line . further , a gas discharge lamp is in operative connection to the lamp input line configured to receive the asymmetric alternating current . the inverting circuit of the ballast is configured with complementary switches configured to have unequal on times , thereby producing an asymmetric lamp input current . a dc blocking capacitor is provided to block any dc current from the lamp input line . the asymmetric alternating lamp input current eliminates visual striations otherwise occurring in the lamp .