>Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 15:03:44 -0600 >From: Philip Stortz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: Larry Pina > >most likely the neon bulb is being used to protect the picture from >arcing, it's probably between ground and one of the tube electrodes >that's normally no where near the 60-70 volts it takes to turn on a >neon, but when there's a certain type of fault the lamp conducts and >limits the voltage to a low enough value to prevent arcing inside the >tube, which can do real damage to the tube. i've seen neons used for >this on a number of monitors. the newer monitors usually just use a >precision spark gap now, and often have one on several leads of the >picture tube. so if the neon comes on, something is wrong, and it's >preventing more severe damage.
Thank you, Philip. That makes a lot of sense. Any idea why they don't use a Zener Diode for this? Too hard to get a high enough breakdown voltage or can't handle enough power? Or this is an AC circuit and it wouldn't work there... Jeff Walther -- Compact Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/>. Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Compact Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/compact.shtml> The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/compact.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
