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Neon indicator blowing!

J

Jeff

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have an NE-51 neon indicator in parallel with a 115 VAC relay coil to
indicate the state of the coil. Problem is it doesn't last long. Is it being
blown by the kick back of the coil field collapsing when it is turned off.
What should I do? bypass the lamp with a cap? How can I fix it?

Jeff
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have an NE-51 neon indicator in parallel with a 115 VAC relay coil to
indicate the state of the coil. Problem is it doesn't last long. Is it being
blown by the kick back of the coil field collapsing when it is turned off.
What should I do? bypass the lamp with a cap? How can I fix it?

Jeff

Is there a series resistor?

...Jim Thompson
 
J

John Fields

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have an NE-51 neon indicator in parallel with a 115 VAC relay coil to
indicate the state of the coil. Problem is it doesn't last long. Is it being
blown by the kick back of the coil field collapsing when it is turned off.
 
J

Jeff

Jan 1, 1970
0
No and Thanks in that order! There is no resistor since I used a standard
socket and not the one designed for neon bulbs so stupid me! I'll put the
220K in series..

Great group!
Jeff
 
B

BFoelsch

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jeff said:
No and Thanks in that order! There is no resistor since I used a standard
socket and not the one designed for neon bulbs so stupid me! I'll put the
220K in series..

Great group!
Jeff

Yikes! I did that with an NE-2 about 50 years ago. Didn't last maybe 100 ms,
then exploded. Was nice and bright while it worked,
though..........................
 
R

Robert Baer

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jeff said:
I have an NE-51 neon indicator in parallel with a 115 VAC relay coil to
indicate the state of the coil. Problem is it doesn't last long. Is it being
blown by the kick back of the coil field collapsing when it is turned off.
What should I do? bypass the lamp with a cap? How can I fix it?

Jeff
Neon indicators need current limiting, and 115V (AC or DC) will
destroy any neon indicator that does not have current limiting.
Use a 100K resistor in series.
 
J

Joerg

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello Robert,
Neon indicators need current limiting, and 115V (AC or DC) will
destroy any neon indicator that does not have current limiting.
Use a 100K resistor in series.


Depends which ones. I had a few that screwed into a regular small type
lamp socket. Took one apart, couldn't find a resistor in there. This one
was rated for EU voltages (230V).

But for the regular small pellet kinds you are right, they need a resistor.

Regards, Joerg
 
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