A backlight assembly prevents abnormal discharge of a device using a high voltage to drive a discharge tube such as CCFL. An inverter circuit includes an inverter transformer supplying an AC high voltage to a plurality of discharge tubes, and a plurality of balance transformers. First terminals of primary coils of the balance transformers are connected to the discharge tubes, and second terminals of the primary coils are connected to a ground. Secondary coils of the balance transformers are connected in series to form a loop. A resistor has a first terminal connected to the loop and a second terminal connected to the ground. Accordingly, the backlight assembly may detect a high-voltage abnormal discharge such as a corona discharge, an arc discharge or the like.