a lamp switching circuit and method for selectively energizing one or more lamps of a bank of lamps and thereafter energizing other of the lamps when power is interrupted and next applied . the lamp switching circuit and method is also effective in selectively and sequentially operating one or more ballasts in a group of ballasts which , in turn , operate one or more lamps in a circuit arrangement . the lamps with which the present invention is used are typically phosphor excitable lamps , such as flourescent lamps . in this way , power consumption is reduced , even through lumen output is correspondingly reduced . however , by selectively and sequentially energizing only certain of the lamps in a circuit arrangement , the overall life of the lamps is materially increased . moreover , the lamps will operate with the same degree of efficiency as they would operate if all lamps connected to a ballast were operating .