Here is a quote from the reference about a grounded reflector
"Rapid start
Newer rapid start ballast designs provide filament power windings within the ballast; these rapidly and continuously warm the filaments/cathodes using low-voltage AC. No inductive voltage spike is produced for starting, so the lamps must be mounted near a grounded (earthed) reflector to allow the glow discharge to propagate through the tube and initiate the arc discharge. In some lamps a "starting aid" strip of grounded metal is attached to the outside of the lamp glass."
Search the webpage using "find" in your browser for "flashing". There are three instances of the word "flashing".
This **broken link removed**) may also be useful.
"Rapid start
Newer rapid start ballast designs provide filament power windings within the ballast; these rapidly and continuously warm the filaments/cathodes using low-voltage AC. No inductive voltage spike is produced for starting, so the lamps must be mounted near a grounded (earthed) reflector to allow the glow discharge to propagate through the tube and initiate the arc discharge. In some lamps a "starting aid" strip of grounded metal is attached to the outside of the lamp glass."
Search the webpage using "find" in your browser for "flashing". There are three instances of the word "flashing".
This **broken link removed**) may also be useful.
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