Neon sign transformers differ from most additional types of

transformers one is likely to encounter.

Unlike a more adequate transformer, for normal operation a neon sign transformer is specified to
statute a minimum, as without difficulty as a maximum load. Why is this? To comprehend this
requirement, we must look at what makes a neon sign transformer alternative from supplementary
types.

Basics
Neon tubes require a tall voltage at a low current to operate. This power 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, otherwise past 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 tall impedance) path more or less the supplementary winding. As
the current magnetism on the transformer subsidiary winding increases, more primary magnetic flux
diverts1 through the magnetic shunt. even though this gives the transformer a needy voltage
regulation characteristic, it after that tends to keep the neon tube working current well enough
constant. We may electrically model this type of transformer as a conventional transformer which
has an inductor in series in the manner of each of its high voltage subsidiary leads2 (fig. 2).
Note that some transformers may have more than one additional winding and more than one
auxiliary shunt. If a transformer has two auxiliary windings, the midpoint membership in the
company of the secondaries may be stuck to the transformer case. Depending upon the true
configuration of shunts and secondary windings, a transformer may be referred to as having either a
balanced (fig. 3) or an unbalanced (fig. 4) design, and this in direction determines what types of
auxiliary wiring methods may be used. speak to to the transformer manufacturers literature for more
details upon this.
This constant current birds of neon sign transformers allows one to greatly revise the tube loading
upon 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 fixed
transformer, the tube load should fall 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 reference to
manufacturer supplied loading charts. These charts indicate the minimum and maximum sum length
of neon tubing that may be used upon a fixed idea transformer, as a doing of the tube diameter, gas
occupy pressure and type of gas used (typically either straight neon or an argon/neon/mercury vapor

mix). taking into consideration using a chart, one deducts some amount of tube length for each pair
of electrodes used (which occurs with merged tubes are wired in series.) extra rules-of-thumb allow
reward for connecting tubes of changing diameters and gas fills in series. even if this loading
method seems welcoming and easy enough, and is completely a fine place to begin in determining
proper transformer loading, it does not always develop the desired results. This is because neon
tubes may not exhibit the good enough characteristics the loading charts are based on, due to
organization variations and supplementary factors. Therefore, we craving to comprehend a little
more roughly transformer characteristics, and look at some alternate loading techniques.
http://neonsigntransformer.net/