The present system for driving an electronic light generating element, includes: (i) input terminals, (ii) an input circuit coupled to the input terminals and operable to convert a sinusoidal signal to a signal independent of negative current attributes, (iii) a switch control circuit coupled to the input circuit and operable to generate a switching signal having pulses, and (iv) a switching element coupled to the input circuit and the switch control circuit. The switching element is operable to generate an output signal formed as a series of bursts having peak amplitudes above a maximum forward current rating for a duty cycle less than a maximum operating duty cycle over which an electronic light generating element may be catastrophically damaged in response to the signal independent of negative current attributes and switching being applied to the switching element. The output signal is applied to the electronic light generating element to produce light.