-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
ZAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Uh oh!
- Thread starter Robert Bass
- Start date
C
CW
Guest
Not too bad...depends on what it is....if too bad, time to look on EBay 
;D
Actually it's a simple power switch for a desktop mini flourescent light fixture. When looking at it from the top view, the arcing occured under the "Off" pushbutton. In this case, buying a new fixture is the better option. What puzzles me though, is what the heck caused this? The light fixture was on at the time, and had been for quite some time. It was still working properly long after the burning scent was pretty strong. There was no visible smoke or sparks, but that Off button was pretty darn hot when I pressed it
I want to guess this was a possible result of a thunderstorm that came through several hours earlier in the day, but everything else plugged into the same room circuit is fine.
R
Actually it's a simple power switch for a desktop mini flourescent light fixture. When looking at it from the top view, the arcing occured under the "Off" pushbutton. In this case, buying a new fixture is the better option.
What puzzles me though, is what the heck caused this? The light fixture was on at the time, and had been for quite some time. It was still working properly long after the burning scent was pretty strong. There was no visible smoke or sparks, but that Off button was pretty darn hot when I pressed it I want to guess this was a possible result of a thunderstorm that came through several hours earlier in the day, but everything else plugged into the same room circuit is fine.
R
The off side of the switch probably makes continuity until pressing off opens the circuit.
This is just a typical cheap phosphor bronze contact, likely at or above good design rating for current.
When these contacts get warm, they oxidize, then the surface doesn't conduct as well, so it gets hotter and oxidizes ever faster, etc.
This is why the off switch was so warm. There was high resistance at the switch.
The usual way these die is to get so hot the plastic surrounding melts, no longer holding the fixed contact where it needs to be.
If you like the lamp buy a better switch, adapt a better switch, or buy a stock of them for the future.
Beware of the extravagance of cheapness in new lamp purchasing. This is what happens.
How old was this lamp/switch?
This is just a typical cheap phosphor bronze contact, likely at or above good design rating for current.
When these contacts get warm, they oxidize, then the surface doesn't conduct as well, so it gets hotter and oxidizes ever faster, etc.
This is why the off switch was so warm. There was high resistance at the switch.
The usual way these die is to get so hot the plastic surrounding melts, no longer holding the fixed contact where it needs to be.
If you like the lamp buy a better switch, adapt a better switch, or buy a stock of them for the future.
Beware of the extravagance of cheapness in new lamp purchasing. This is what happens.
How old was this lamp/switch?
Tom Wells said:
I'd guess it was 20 years old. I'll probably just get a new lamp, since it's easier. I'm guessing had I not been present when this happened, it eventually would have caught fire?
R
It probably wouldn't have caught on fire, but the smell may have been stronger.
You'd most likely have returned to find the lamp off, strong smell, wouldn't turn on, and the switch would work funny.
In July I turned on an incandescent lamp, which burned open the filament, but continued to light for three more hours on the
vaporized carbon or whatever created an ionized path through the partial vacuum.
I ran for the camera and made a few shots which came out very well.
You'd most likely have returned to find the lamp off, strong smell, wouldn't turn on, and the switch would work funny.
In July I turned on an incandescent lamp, which burned open the filament, but continued to light for three more hours on the
vaporized carbon or whatever created an ionized path through the partial vacuum.
I ran for the camera and made a few shots which came out very well.
Oh cool! I'd love to see those, if you can upload them.
And while we're on the subject of lights...
In my Elementary years during the late 70's, I still vividly recall one of those typical 2 bulb flourescent fixtures you could find in most classrooms, "exploding" (so to speak). I'm sure you can picture the setup... two long rows of end-on-end fixtures.
OK so we're in class and next thing I know people started looking upwards towards the ceiling. When I looked up, the fixture right above me was flashing, and small lightning colored arcs could be seen emitting near where one of the bulbs makes contact with the holder. After a few seconds of this, the fixture went dark, and one of the students kept saying "turn it off, turn it off"
I was way too young at the time to really understand what the heck had happened. Kinda makes me wonder if the fixture I just had go bad on me, is a haunting. ;D
R
And while we're on the subject of lights...
In my Elementary years during the late 70's, I still vividly recall one of those typical 2 bulb flourescent fixtures you could find in most classrooms, "exploding" (so to speak). I'm sure you can picture the setup... two long rows of end-on-end fixtures.
OK so we're in class and next thing I know people started looking upwards towards the ceiling. When I looked up, the fixture right above me was flashing, and small lightning colored arcs could be seen emitting near where one of the bulbs makes contact with the holder. After a few seconds of this, the fixture went dark, and one of the students kept saying "turn it off, turn it off"
I was way too young at the time to really understand what the heck had happened. Kinda makes me wonder if the fixture I just had go bad on me, is a haunting. ;D
R
- Status