The invention relates to a lamp system, comprising a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp having a discharge vessel (6) enclosing a discharge space (8), with two electrodes (10, 30) positioned in the discharge vessel and an amalgam (18) arranged at a first end section (28) out of the discharge path between the first electrode and the second electrode. A ballast generates an electrical discharge current independently from an electrical heating current. A heating element (22) is positioned in the first end section for heating the amalgam using the electrical heating current. The temperature of the amalgam can be kept within its optimal temperature range for a relatively broad range of operating conditions.
