An electronic ballast for operating at least one discharge lamp may include an input having a first and a second input connection for coupling to a DC supply voltage; a load circuit having an output; a constant-current transformer which includes a converter throttle, a converter diode and a converter switch, whereby the converter throttle is coupled serially between the first input connection and the load circuit; an activation circuit which is configured to activate the converter switch during operation with an HF signal; wherein at least one component across which a second voltage which is opposite in phase to the first voltage drops during operation is coupled between the internal and the external reference potential.