Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Checking Lamp Voltage

This is topic Checking Lamp Voltage in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 03-11-2007, 07:33 PM:

Can someone tell me if the correct way to check the lamp voltage with a handheld volt meter is to place the meter leads directly on the bulb terminals after ignition with the meter set for DC voltage?

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 03-11-2007, 08:42 PM:

That will certainly work; preferred: check across the rectifier output after igniting. Louis

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 03-11-2007, 08:53 PM:

It's worth stressing: do not leave the meter connected to the circuit during ignition. Otherwise you can fry your DVM.

--jhawk

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 03-11-2007, 09:16 PM:

quote: John Hawkinson
It's worth stressing: do not leave the meter connected to the circuit during ignition. Otherwise you can fry your DVM.

And shock yourself. [Eek!]

Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 03-11-2007, 09:42 PM:

Thanks Louis. That seems to be a safer route. Yeah, I remember reading somewhere that or maybe it was when I went up to Strong last spring for one their traning seminars that the ignitor sends a "burst" of somewhere on the order of 30,000 volts to ignite, so I figured it had to be measured after ignition. But thanks to John and well...John for looking out for my safety. [Smile]