What are Nixie tubes made of?
The glass tube contains a wire-mesh anode and multiple cathodes, shaped like numerals or other symbols. Applying power to one cathode surrounds it with an orange glow discharge. The tube is filled with a gas at low pressure, usually mostly neon and often a little mercury or argon, in a Penning mixture.
Are Nixie tubes still being made?
The last nixie tube was made in the early 90s, when this beautiful technology was replaced by lower-cost alternatives. But production has now resumed in the Czech Republic.
Are Nixie tubes toxic?
It’s somewhat safe but potentially lethal. I tested everything with a meter and shorted all leads together to make sure mains are off. Be careful and think twice before you do anything. Thanks for the good advice! Another question: why should I have the HV off until testing?
How long do Nixie tubes last?
Overview of Soviet (russian) Nixie Tubes types: height, what they display and their life expectancy
| Type | Height of digit | Life time |
|---|---|---|
| IN-12A, IN-12B (ИН-12А, ИН-12Б) | 18 mm | min. 5000 / 7500 h |
| IN-14 (ИН-14) | 18 mm | min. 5000 / 12 500 h |
| IN-15A, IN-15B (ИН-15А, ИН-15Б) | 18 mm | min. 1000 h (A) / 800 h (B) |
| IN-16 (ИН-16) | 13 mm | min. 5000 h |
Who made Nixie tubes?
George and Zoltan Haydu
Nixie tubes were created by the Hungarian brothers George and Zoltan Haydu, who had a company that specialized in making vacuum tubes (which are also used in amplifiers). The tubes shot into popularity in the 1950s, and some of the early ones were made by Haydu Brothers Laboratories.
How do you fix cathode poisoning?
The quickest way to remove cathode poisoning is to bring the bias current for a particular digit up to double the maximum operating current for a limited time and monitor the anode on-voltage.
How can you prevent cathode poisoning?
How can you prevent cathode poisoning? Exercise inactive cathodes (occasionally cycle the tubes through all cathodes). This will keep cleaning the coating off before it becomes too thick. Example- Nixie Clocks: Rotate the numbers like in a slot machine (a.k.a. one-armed bandit or fruit machine).
How do you read a Nixie label?
How To Read A Nixie Label
- Identifying whether the letter, flat or parcel has a correct address and is mailable.
- If not, if there is a Change of Address (COA) on record and can be forwarded.
- Determining whether the mail piece is Undeliverable As Addressed (UAA)
Where are your Nixie tubes made?
But production has now resumed in the Czech Republic. The distinct look and functionality of our Nixie tubes trail years of design, testing, and refinement. Each is produced in a laboratory setting, with hopes to one day employ large-scale production means to ensure access for everyone.
How is each Nixie made?
Each is produced in a laboratory setting, with hopes to one day employ large-scale production means to ensure access for everyone. More than 3 hours of handcrafted precision are invested into each individual nixie.
How do Nixie tubes glow?
So, in short, the glow inside a nixie tube is produced by a combination of ionization and sputtering. Glow discharges like this are complex and, in some tubes, produce a whole series of light and dark bands between the anode and the cathode (check out this neat video of a glow discharge tube experiment ).
How do they make the numbers on a Nixie tube?
Look closely at a nixie tube and you’ll see it has the ten decimal digits made out of bent wire and arranged in a stack, one in front of the other, inside a sealed glass bulb. Underneath the bulb, there are lots of electrical contacts.