The design of transductors for dimming discharge lamps gives rise to certain problems whose solution is of interest in a wider field of application. The combination of these non-sinusoidal devices raises in an acute form the question of the general validity of transductor characteristic curves. It is shown that within certain limitations the use of these characteristics is justified. The wide range of load current required in this application is discussed in connection with the magnetic properties of the core material. Some of the effects of varying the curvature of the knee of the saturation curve are mentioned. Discrepancies between theory and practice are discussed with reference to a specific design.