An assembly, system and method for adaptively monitoring and operating a lamp fixture include a power input interface, a ballast, and a lamp interface. The ballast is coupled to the power input interface for receiving the received input power and creating lamp power between a first lamp terminal and a second lamp terminal. The ballast includes a transformer having a primary winding, a first lamp powering secondary winding, and a second lamp powering secondary winding. The transformer further includes a non-lamp powering secondary or third secondary winding for detecting a ballast operating parameter and transmitting a sensed ballast operating parameter value corresponding to the detected ballast operating parameter. A sensor detects an arc current circulating through a lamp received in the lamp interface and transmits a sensed arc current value corresponding to the detected arc current. One or more output interfaces provide the transmitted sensed arc current value and transmitted sensed ballast operating parameter value to an external system communicatively coupled.