Energy saving lamp warning - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

electroanorak · 27th Sep 2014, 1:11 am

Just thought I would mention this....

I have been servicing and calibrating my Racal True RMS Milivolt meter and having problems with odd readings. It was just by chance that I moved my anglepoise bench lamp out of the way to get to the controls of my signal generator. As I moved it, the readings changed dramatically.

Of course, there is an energy saving lamp in it. I removed it and replaced it with a 40 watt reflector lamp and the calibration error was no more.

Just beware when using them near sensitive equipment.

Daniel.

Refugee · 27th Sep 2014, 1:37 am

I have a magnifier lamp from Maplin when they were on special offer at half price.
All I have to do is drape a scope probe over it with the scope switched on and a clean triangle wave is clearly displayed at something between 30 and 60Khz.
It makes for an easy signal injector when fixing AM radios by lowering it over the circuit board.
You need to be aware of this and there are advantages to be gained too.

G8KBG Tony · 27th Sep 2014, 2:08 am

Daniel,

Thanks for passing this on. Could save loads of head-scratching.

Tony.

27th Sep 2014, 1:11 am	#1
electroanorak Hexode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tonyrefail, Rhondda, South Wales, UK. Posts: 337	Energy saving lamp warning Just thought I would mention this.... I have been servicing and calibrating my Racal True RMS Milivolt meter and having problems with odd readings. It was just by chance that I moved my anglepoise bench lamp out of the way to get to the controls of my signal generator. As I moved it, the readings changed dramatically. Of course, there is an energy saving lamp in it. I removed it and replaced it with a 40 watt reflector lamp and the calibration error was no more. Just beware when using them near sensitive equipment. Daniel.

27th Sep 2014, 1:37 am	#2
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Energy saving lamp warning I have a magnifier lamp from Maplin when they were on special offer at half price. All I have to do is drape a scope probe over it with the scope switched on and a clean triangle wave is clearly displayed at something between 30 and 60Khz. It makes for an easy signal injector when fixing AM radios by lowering it over the circuit board. You need to be aware of this and there are advantages to be gained too.

27th Sep 2014, 2:08 am	#3
G8KBG Tony Pentode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wombourne, South Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 225	Re: Energy saving lamp warning Daniel, Thanks for passing this on. Could save loads of head-scratching. Tony. __________________ G8KBG - BVWS Member - BATC Member