RFI
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [RFI] 120v halogen lights

To: stuart benner <w3stu@myactv.net>
Subject: Re: [RFI] 120v halogen lights
From: Ron Rossi <kk1l@intergate.com>
Reply-to: kk1l@arrl.net
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 2004 16:48:20 -0400
List-post: <mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
It is refered to as electromigration at least within the semiconductor design industry. It is an issue we take into consideration when designing the wiring of our circuits.

--
73 es God Bless de KK1L...ron (kk1l@arrl.net)
ASIC PE IBM Microelectronics
<><
QTH: Jericho, Vermont
My page: http://www.qsl.net/kk1l


stuart benner wrote:


The reduction in life of an incandescent lamp when operated on DC versus AC is
attributable to a phenomenon known as "DC notching." With DC applied, the
tungsten molecules migrate within the filament and the filament takes on a
"notched" appearance. The increased local resistance at the notch points along
with the reduced physical strength result in decreased life. If AC is applied to
the filament, this condition is avoided. A lamp operating on DC may have 20% to
50% of the same lamp operated on AC.

Much research was done on this at NASA-Goddard by their lamp expert Dr. Henning
Leidecker. One of the life-limiting factors on the earlier GOES spacecraft (and
others) was the life of the black bias (incandescent) lamp in the satellite
sensors.

Stu Benner
W3STU

Quoting Martin Ewing <martin@aa6e.net>:



OK, I've heard this said before. But inquiring minds want to know: why should DC be worse than AC for lifetime in lighting applications?

I seem to recall it was an issue for vacuum tube filaments, presumably because having a DC gradient on the filament led to unequal concentration of emission on the filament. (On the other hand, AC supplies could lead to hum.) But in a lighting situation?

I can think of a couple reasons why DC might be better: no AC-induced vibration, unity peak to average power, etc.

73 - Martin, AA6E



Subject:
Re: [RFI] 120v halogen lights
From:
"Tom Rauch" <w8ji@contesting.com>
Date:
Sun, 4 Apr 2004 10:23:22 -0400
To:
<rfi@contesting.com>, "Pete Smith" <n4zr@contesting.com>




I assume that there is no reason why any real transformer that delivers 12.6vac couldn't be used -- perhaps even an AC wall wart.




That's right, as long as it is AC. If you run DC bulb life is shorter.

73 Tom




_______________________________________________
RFI mailing list
RFI@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi






_______________________________________________ RFI mailing list RFI@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi

.




_______________________________________________ RFI mailing list RFI@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>