I
Ioannis
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
My mother bought this at a supermarket. It's a "nightlight" that plugs
directly against a wall outlet.
It has no country markings, just "1W", "AC220", "50/60Hz and "CE".
The "CE" is probably bogus. It is probably of Chinese origin.
http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/jgal/nitelite1.jpg
I opened it and it contains a small low pressure mercury lamp, which
contains 3 electrodes on each end. I suspect the third electrode is an
auxiliary one, to initiate the discharge. You can discern the switch and the
integrated circuit which plugs directly on the wall outlet.
http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/jgal/nitelite2.jpg
It's also problematic: Although it starts nicely and its glow looks like
that of a miniature fluorescent the first 3-4 seconds, after 4-5 seconds,
the auxiliary electrodes kick in again and it produces a purple glow around
the electrodes which flickers on and off, similar to the starting argon glow
on the discharge tube of a high pressure lamp.
This leads me to believe that the circuitry is all faulty. It's probably
supposed to be cutting off the current to the auxiliary electrodes, but
instead the current through them continues, causing auxiliary discharges
which keep going and going, causing argon flicker.
Here's a picture of it being lit:
http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/jgal/nitelite3.jpg
The auxiliary discharges don't show on this pic.
I was wondering how safe this thingy is. My impression is that leaving this
thing unattended through the night, one risks the danger of fire. Opinions?
directly against a wall outlet.
It has no country markings, just "1W", "AC220", "50/60Hz and "CE".
The "CE" is probably bogus. It is probably of Chinese origin.
http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/jgal/nitelite1.jpg
I opened it and it contains a small low pressure mercury lamp, which
contains 3 electrodes on each end. I suspect the third electrode is an
auxiliary one, to initiate the discharge. You can discern the switch and the
integrated circuit which plugs directly on the wall outlet.
http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/jgal/nitelite2.jpg
It's also problematic: Although it starts nicely and its glow looks like
that of a miniature fluorescent the first 3-4 seconds, after 4-5 seconds,
the auxiliary electrodes kick in again and it produces a purple glow around
the electrodes which flickers on and off, similar to the starting argon glow
on the discharge tube of a high pressure lamp.
This leads me to believe that the circuitry is all faulty. It's probably
supposed to be cutting off the current to the auxiliary electrodes, but
instead the current through them continues, causing auxiliary discharges
which keep going and going, causing argon flicker.
Here's a picture of it being lit:
http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/jgal/nitelite3.jpg
The auxiliary discharges don't show on this pic.
I was wondering how safe this thingy is. My impression is that leaving this
thing unattended through the night, one risks the danger of fire. Opinions?