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Electrical Metrology | Measurement Tips & Products | Calibration standards => Electrical Metrology for enthusiast => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on November 18, 2022, 09:41:24 PM

Title: Power consumption of mains indicator neon at 235V
Post by: Kiriakos GR on November 18, 2022, 09:41:24 PM

Today I did one new testing toy for my lab, this is no other than single Neon mains indicator as Plug and Play  ;D

So far I had this neon with bare wires for quick tests, at regular 3A current range (multimeter) it measures as 1mA.
But when you do use lowest mA current input of a quality multimeter, you do see much more detail.

When Neon is plugged in, this is cold, at 3000 uA range the current is at 1240 uA.
Eventually Neon bulb warmup and stabilizes at approximately 1100 uA.
My switching the DMM to mA ( I have two ranges 30mA and 300mA), at 30mA you get the identically detailed measurement as it was at 3000 uA.
Now the value appears as 1.108 mA.

VA = 235V x 0.001108 = 0,2638 Watt and or 1/4 Watt + 1mW 

Today you do know much more than yesterday.  :)   

Title: Re: Power consumption of mains indicator neon at 235V
Post by: overvolt on December 04, 2022, 10:21:13 PM

Myth busting time  8)

And well documented too! 

Title: Re: Power consumption of mains indicator neon at 235V
Post by: Andrew-88 on December 06, 2022, 03:34:29 PM

Neon bulb with male wall-plug = another prototype   8)

Title: Re: Power consumption of mains indicator neon at 235V
Post by: Kiriakos GR on December 11, 2022, 02:49:16 PM

Thanks for teasing...

My original motive was of me to deliver an quick education class for our trainee electricians.  :)