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G8MNY > TECH 04.02.24 13:37l 59 Lines 2286 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 614_GB7CIP
Read: GUEST
Subj: Christmas Mains Light Chains
Path: IW8PGT<I3XTY<I0OJJ<LU4ECL<JE7YGF<JH4XSY<IW0QNL<ON0AR<GB7CIP
Sent: 240204/1230Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:614 [Caterham Surrey GBR] $:614_GB7C
From: G8MNY@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : TECH@WW
By G8MNY (New Dec 06)
(8 Bit ASCII graphics use code page 437 or 850, Terminal Font)
If you are having problems with those plug/screw in Christmas fairy lights
after getting them out from last year here are some tips.
FINDING DUD LAMPS
Use a DIY metal/mains detector to show the mains field along a chain of lamps..
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
Fuse ³Detector³
Lamp ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ live dead
LiveÄÄÄ(x)ÄÄÄÄ(x)ÄÄÄÄ(x)ÄÄÄÄ(x)ÄÄÄÄ( )ÄÄÄÄ(x)ÄÄÄÄ(x)ÄÄÄÄ(x)Ä¿
dud lamp ³
NeutralÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
Provided it is wired correctly & the live wire goes to the first safety lamp,
then the detector will fail when the LIVE electric field disappears at a dud
lamp.
SHORTED LAMPS
Normal chain lamps have shorting link around the oxidised internal lamp wires,
if the lamp sees too high a voltage such as when the filament blows the oxide
layer breaks down the link welds the lamp short. If too many lamps go short the
whole chain will blow in a few seconds, that is why you must have a fuse lamp!
SAFETY FUSE LAMPS
As shown above the 1st lamp in the live circuit should be a fuse bulb. These do
not have the shorting link, & they also have a thinner longer filament. They
are identified with a white frosting on them.
LAMP VOLTAGE
When swapping/changing lamps it is important to get the same current & voltage
lamp. This is easily worked out by counting the number of lamps in the chain
& dividing the supply volts by that. Often 20, 30 or 40 lamp sets are standard,
giving 6, 9 or 12V for 240V mains.
LIFETIME
Lamps run properly will last a long time (500 hours), for longer life, if you
can use more lamps than standard e.g. a 22 chain set instead of 20, may last
twice as long but 20% dimmer.
SAFETY
Do not put these light chains near metal objects like tinsel or metalized
Christmas trees as there is always a chance that bare wire contact can be made.
Also note lamps do get quite hot & any material used nearby must be flame
proof!
See my TECH buls on "LED Test Screwdriver". "Fairy Light Flasher" & "Night
Light Switch".
Why Don't U send an interesting bul?
73 De John, G8MNY @ GB7CIP
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