Neon sign transformers differ from most additional types of

transformers one is likely to encounter.

Unlike a more all right transformer, for normal operation a neon sign transformer is specified to
action a minimum, as without difficulty as a maximum load. Why is this? To understand this
requirement, we must see at what makes a neon sign transformer swing from new types.

Basics
Neon tubes require a tall voltage at a low current to operate. This capacity is supplied by a
specialized transformer. subsidiary voltages typically range from 1,000 to 15,000 volts, and
additional currents range from 20 to 60 milliamps (and higher, for large diameter cold cathode
tubing). The current passing through a neon tube needs to be limited by some means, then again like
the tube lights, the current will rise to an excessively tall value. This regulation is competent by
inserting a ferrous magnetic shunt (fig. 1) into the transformer core, such that the magnetic flux
from the primary winding has an alternate (although high impedance) lane almost the subsidiary
winding. As the current glamor on the transformer auxiliary winding increases, more primary
magnetic flux diverts1 through the magnetic shunt. while this gives the transformer a poor voltage
regulation characteristic, it along with tends to save the neon tube vigorous current sufficiently well
constant. We may electrically model this type of transformer as a customary transformer which has
an inductor in series later than each of its tall voltage supplementary leads2 (fig. 2).
Note that some transformers may have more than one subsidiary winding and more than one
additional shunt. If a transformer has two supplementary windings, the midpoint connection amid
the secondaries may be ashore to the transformer case. Depending upon the true configuration of
shunts and supplementary windings, a transformer may be referred to as having either a balanced
(fig. 3) or an unbalanced (fig. 4) design, and this in tilt determines what types of subsidiary wiring
methods may be used. focus on to the transformer manufacturers literature for more details on this.
This constant current flora and fauna of neon sign transformers allows one to greatly rework the
tube loading on a transformer. Unfortunately, one can radically misload a transformer and it will still
appear to work, in the unexpected term. Long term, transformer failure will usually result. For any
supreme transformer, the tube load should drop within specified limits. It must not be too high or
too low3. The question is, how does one determine the proper loading?

Methods of Determining Proper Loading

There are several answers to this question. The most commonly used method is by mention to
manufacturer supplied loading charts. These charts indicate the minimum and maximum total length
of neon tubing that may be used on a unlimited transformer, as a statute of the tube diameter, gas
fill pressure and type of gas used (typically either straight neon or an argon/neon/mercury vapor
mix). as soon as using a chart, one deducts some amount of tube length for each pair of electrodes
used (which occurs subsequently fused tubes are wired in series.) further rules-of-thumb permit

return for connecting tubes of changing diameters and gas fills in series. even if this loading method
seems nearby and simple enough, and is utterly a fine area to start in determining proper
transformer loading, it does not always fabricate the desired results. This is because neon tubes may
not exhibit the agreeable characteristics the loading charts are based on, due to handing out
variations and other factors. Therefore, we dependence to understand a tiny more just about
transformer characteristics, and see at some alternate loading techniques.
http://neonsigntransformer.net/