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An electronically controlled ignitor for triggering spectrographic light sources such as a.c. interrupted arc and Multi-source is described. Igniting sparks are produced by discharge of a condenser previously charged to high voltage by Cockcroft-Walton network. The igniting sparks break down the analytical gap through a three-electrode gap which is controlled by low-energy voltage pulses produced by a pulse generator. By means of two stages of dekatron tubes in the pulse generator circuit, the period of intermittent discharges can be varied from 20 tubes in the pulse generator circuit, the period of intermittent discharges can be varied from 20 msec to 2 sec with any desired number of igniting pulses to suit the case with 50 pulses per sec or 100 pulses per sec. The ignitor may be assembled from readily available components and the special parts required are simple to make. Despite its compactness, the ignitor is extremely versatile; it can trigger all the “triggered sources” of Pfeilsticker type.