modified 9 years ago

LED mains voltage indicator - neon lamp substitution

01:32:01

LED Substitution for glim/neon lamps for indicating mains voltage.

Diode is 1N4148
15K resistor rated for 3W/350V
1M is the bleeder resistor
330nF capacitor is rated for 350V

Safety notice: don't try this at home!

published 9 years ago

hurz

9 years ago

This is not the idea to drop almost 200V at the 15kOhm resistor and burn 2.5Watt. The main idea is to drop the voltage at the capacitor.

nemethakos

9 years ago

Ok, now the resistor is just the inrush current limiter (http://turbokeu.com/myprojects/acled.htm). What would happen, if this insrush current limiter resistor would be removed?

rich11292000

9 years ago

It is a simple filter for harmonic frequencies that are present in the inrush. There is also distortion present in normal operation. The capacitor doesn't filter this and large current spikes get through.

rich11292000

9 years ago

There is no special magic needed to run a neon bulb on such high voltage, a higher wattage Neon bulb may be available. However red neon is the least efficient on neon, vs red led is most efficient led.

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