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13,56 MHz / 150 W power generator
The companies Neon Products and Philips made a cooperation an developed a new electrode
for the lamps used in neon signs for advertising.
The new electrode contains a capsule which is filled with 19 mg mercury. After the neon tube is bent
and sealed, the hand antenna of the RF power generator is slid on the end of the tube that contains
the electrode and the RF power generator is turned on.
Inside the antenna a strong magnetic field is created, causing a high current in the metallic material
of the capsule. This makes the capsule glow and the mercury starts to boil inside the capsule which burst
within seconds. This way of putting the mercury into the neon lamp has the following advantages:
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- The environmental and health risks caused by the handling of
the mercury are minimized.
- The tools are no longer contaminated with mercury, therefore
the cleaning and maintenance
costs are reduced.
- Greater purity of the mercury by avoiding the contact with the ambient air.
- Due to the vapourisation of the mercury, a better distribution inside
the tube is achieved.
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Because of the greater purity and the exact dosage, the necessary amount of mercury can be reduced by 80% without negative influence on luminance and lifetime of the lamp.
A calculation showed that in Germany 450 kg of mercury could be saved each year.
The RF power generator that is used for opening the capsule was brought to the maturity phase by IFN.
The supersvision of the series production and the necessary tests and adjustments are done by IFN.
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More information on the products of the Neon Products Group can be found on their website and their american
distributors site:
www.neonproducts.de
www.eurocom-inc.com
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