I should expand on the risks of electronic switching where a device isn't designed for it....

Some fluorescent lamps use a transformer-based ballast to raise the strike voltage and warm the filaments (if any). This transformer is designed to have a substantial impedance at 50/60 Hz. Unfortunately, it has a very low impedance at DC.

If an electronic switch isn't "on" all of the time, and isn't designed to guarantee equal "on-times" for the + and - half of the AC cycle, a DC component exists. Since this DC component faces a low impedance, a current can flow which may exceed the rating of the "transformer" (ballast).

It turns out that many factors tend to limit this current to reasonable levels, but most devices aren't designed to guarantee safety in this mode.