I always build high voltage devices with a double pole double throw switch so that one pole controls power while the other pole puts a 10 K resistor across the HV supply to bleed it off when device is turned off. Never been buzzed this way.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: 'Terry S' via neonixie-l <[email protected]>
Date: April 30, 2017 at 1:03 PM
Finally had an opportunity to test this -- and I can confirm that on at least a couple of my larger neon signs, the tubes shut off differently using the pull chain switch than they do using the line cord.
I have one large Boulevard Brewing sign, for example, that shuts off slowly, with the long border tube being the last to de-energize, in four distinct segments, when unplugged. By contrast, the entire sign shuts off immediately when I use the switch.
So I can only conclude that the power supply must be bled down quickly when the switch is toggled.
Terry
On Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 11:09:55 AM UTC-5, Terry S wrote:It's possible that the power supply has circuitry that quickly discharges the high voltage (maybe as simple as a bleeder resistor inserted by the switch) when shut down by the switch. In the case of unplugging or the wifi switch,this circuitry would not be activated, resulting in the fade out in the video.
I have beer neons that exhibit the same behavior when I unplug them -- never tried to compare that to the pull-chain off sequence. But now you have me intrigued, so I will try that this evening.
I really can't envision a scenario where this would be harmful to the supply or the sign. I've been turning my neons on & off by wall switch, power strip switch, or unplugging them for years. I have not had a failure on any of my signs (over 20 of them) -- although I've bought many with already failed supplies. Cheap because of that.
Terry
On Monday, April 24, 2017 at 9:20:46 PM UTC-5, Dman777 wrote:I just got a new Xbox neon light sign. I also bought a wifi smart outlet so I can turn it off with my Google Home and Echo.
I noticed that when I turn it off by the smart outlet, the neon sign turns off differently. The letters have a unique pattern when they turn off. This is not the same behavior as when I turn it off by the sign's native switch...then all the letters go off at once.
Is it bad for the neon sign or hard on the circuitry to be turning it on and off by the wall smart outlet switch instead of the signs normal on and off switch?
Here is a video of sign being turned off by outlet--
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