Neon sign transformers differ from most further types of

transformers one is likely to encounter.

Unlike a more agreeable transformer, for usual operation a neon sign transformer is specified to
produce an effect a minimum, as competently as a maximum load. Why is this? To comprehend this
requirement, we must look at what makes a neon sign transformer vary from further types.

Basics
Neon tubes require a tall voltage at a low current to operate. This capability is supplied by a
specialized transformer. supplementary voltages typically range from 1,000 to 15,000 volts, and
auxiliary 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 as
soon as the tube lights, the current will rise to an excessively high value. This regulation is able 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) passageway approximately
the additional winding. As the current attraction upon the transformer supplementary winding
increases, more primary magnetic flux diverts1 through the magnetic shunt. even if this gives the
transformer a poor voltage regulation characteristic, it afterward tends to save the neon tube
working current sufficiently well constant. We may electrically model this type of transformer as a
enjoyable transformer which has an inductor in series gone each of its high voltage auxiliary leads2
(fig. 2).
Note that some transformers may have more than one additional winding and more than one
secondary shunt. If a transformer has two auxiliary windings, the midpoint attachment between the
secondaries may be grounded to the transformer case. Depending on the true configuration of
shunts and subsidiary windings, a transformer may be referred to as having either a balanced (fig. 3)
or an unbalanced (fig. 4) design, and this in perspective determines what types of subsidiary wiring
methods may be used. take up 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
on a transformer. Unfortunately, one can radically misload a transformer and it will yet appear to
work, in the quick term. Long term, transformer failure will usually result. For any pure transformer,
the tube load should drop within specified limits. It must not be too tall 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 hint to
manufacturer supplied loading charts. These charts indicate the minimum and maximum total length
of neon tubing that may be used on a complete transformer, as a proceed of the tube diameter, gas
occupy pressure and type of gas used (typically either straight neon or an argon/neon/mercury vapor

mix). when using a chart, one deducts some amount of tube length for each pair of electrodes used
(which occurs when merged tubes are wired in series.) other rules-of-thumb permit recompense for
connecting tubes of varying diameters and gas fills in series. even if this loading method seems
handy and easy enough, and is utterly a good 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 customary characteristics the loading charts are based on, due to supervision variations and new
factors. Therefore, we infatuation to understand a tiny more more or less transformer
characteristics, and see at some alternate loading techniques.
http://neonsigntransformer.net/