dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

[goontron]

first off yes it will kill electronics ignore that, thats on purpose.

it will be used on a 20 amp dedicated circuit with a max of maybe 2kw for ballasts when killing things and when testing things it will have 3 100 watt lamps. when testing, the ground switch will always be ON but when killing things it will be OFF after all we dont want what im killing to take out the RCD. the bypass switch is for testing once im confident the device is safe and for the initial killing of things then its switched to ballasts to finish it off. feedback anybody? btw its under GNU licensing..

[goontron]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

TC there is still something wrong with the forum it says my files uploaded but they didnt show up.
heres the files

[redwire]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

uh, what is this?

[goontron]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

^ heres what it normally is

http://s807.photobucket.com/user/bud...tml?sort=3&o=0
http://s807.photobucket.com/user/bud...tml?sort=3&o=1
http://s807.photobucket.com/user/bud...tml?sort=3&o=3

mine is sort of like whats in the quote above but you can use heaters as ballasts instead of bulbs, it has a switch to connect the equipment to be tested directly to line, and has a ground disconnect for the device that is under testing. basicly its so i can test antique equipment that pulls more than 100 watts.

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showth...im+bulb+tester
im trying to reverse engineer whats in that thread but with bigger ballast capabilities.

[bacelery]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

I am not very clear about the topic

[goontron]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

heres what its use is http://antiqueradio.org/dimbulb.htm i created a version of that but with 5-20R standerd 20 amp socket insted of E26 Edison screw bass light bulb sockets so i can use say a 1.5kw heater as a ballast instead of a 100watt lightbulb.

[ben7]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

Ballast bank? Use separate 100W lamps, say 5, and use say 3 250W lamps each on a switch for an adjustable ballast.

OH WAIT ... I forgot! You can't buy 100W or 250W lamps anymore, since they are illegal!

[redwire]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

Okay, so it's a device for current limiting mains-powered stuff, originally using a 100W light bulb (~1A) but you want to use 1.5kW (~12.5A) heating elements for the series resistance. 1.5kW will still make sparks and flames though...

It's like a poor man's variac, but I have limited success with these, because many loads (amplifiers, SMPS etc.) have a high inrush current until the main filter caps are charged. So it's 10A for a second or two, then 0.5A resting. In the end, you aren't lowering the applied voltage.

Looking at your schematic for "the killer", I don't recommend lifting ground to the load-under-test. If you have a 12.5A ground fault, you'd see it with an ohmmeter beforehand - and the load will zap you.
Why is the resistance in series with Neutral, not Hot? Also, you can use an SPST switch and just short the resistance to bypass it.

[ben7]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

It's like a poor man's variac, but I have limited success with these, because many loads (amplifiers, SMPS etc.) have a high inrush current until the main filter caps are charged. So it's 10A for a second or two, then 0.5A resting. In the end, you aren't lowering the applied voltage.

A variac is NOT for current limiting actually, many folks get this wrong. It is a variable output voltage transformer. Short out the output, which you set to, say, 30vac, and the transformer will quickly overheat and either cut-out, smoke, or smoke and catch fire. Bye bye expensive variac!

Looking at your schematic for "the killer", I don't recommend lifting ground to the load-under-test. If you have a 12.5A ground fault, you'd see it with an ohmmeter beforehand - and the load will zap you.
Why is the resistance in series with Neutral, not Hot? Also, you can use an SPST switch and just short the resistance to bypass it.

I agree with all your points there! It's real stuff this is, and making a mistake might cost you an arm, leg, or YOUR LIFE! :O

LOL wtf bbq, you copywrited it too xD

[goontron]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

Okay, so it's a device for current limiting mains-powered stuff, originally using a 100W light bulb (~1A) but you want to use 1.5kW (~12.5A) heating elements for the series resistance. 1.5kW will still make sparks and flames though...

It's like a poor man's variac, but I have limited success with these, because many loads (amplifiers, SMPS etc.) have a high inrush current until the main filter caps are charged. So it's 10A for a second or two, then 0.5A resting. In the end, you aren't lowering the applied voltage.

Looking at your schematic for "the killer", I don't recommend lifting ground to the load-under-test. If you have a 12.5A ground fault, you'd see it with an ohmmeter beforehand - and the load will zap you.
Why is the resistance in series with Neutral, not Hot? Also, you can use an SPST switch and just short the resistance to bypass it.

the resistance is through the HOT (red line), and the 1.5kw will only be used when doing this as will the ground disconect.

[redwire]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

Ahhh the video explains all! Used for destroying stuff connected to the mains! FUN

I just let the circuit breaker do the work, but I could see nuisance trips so some limiting is needed. I've used old heaters, stove heating elements etc. as 10R 1kW resistors. Your design looks good, I would add an indicator light or something so you know if power is there or the load died

I still do not recommend lifting ground, in the video it's a metal bench surrounded by metal stuff and who knows where the ground path is. Microwave oven transformers can make several kV so that bench and surrounding stuff IMHO could get energized. Too dangerous for me, holding a camera and leaning on something and zap.

[ben7]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

I just let the circuit breaker do the work, but I could see nuisance trips so some limiting is needed. I've used old heaters, stove heating elements etc. as 10R 1kW resistors. Your design looks good, I would add an indicator light or something so you know if power is there or the load died

I think letting the CB do the job is a bad idea, because it will wear the breaker out, and excessive stress is put on the wiring too!

I think you should put a lamp that is ON when the load is OFF.
Here is why:
With the lamp turned ON when the load is ON, say, the lamp burns out. It is easy to assume that there is a problem and the load is 'not' getting power. You'd get a nasty, surprise shock, or death!

If the lamp is set up so it is ON when the load is OFF, and the lamp burns out, you will think the load is still on, and you won't go touching it.

[goontron]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

Ahhh the video explains all! Used for destroying stuff connected to the mains! FUN

I just let the circuit breaker do the work, but I could see nuisance trips so some limiting is needed. I've used old heaters, stove heating elements etc. as 10R 1kW resistors. Your design looks good, I would add an indicator light or something so you know if power is there or the load died

I still do not recommend lifting ground, in the video it's a metal bench surrounded by metal stuff and who knows where the ground path is. Microwave oven transformers can make several kV so that bench and surrounding stuff IMHO could get energized. Too dangerous for me, holding a camera and leaning on something and zap.

what ground? Edd doesn't have his bench grounded when he did this, hence why he didn't come near touching the table or anything near it with power connected.

there is a revision 6 that will be posted around the evening, but for now school time for me....

[goontron]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

ok here it is! nice indicator bulbs and all..

[ben7]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

ok here it is! nice indicator bulbs and all..

You will want a current limiting resistor for the neon bulbs, they typically run at 90 or so volts, and if you try to increase the voltage further, they will draw a lot of current and get very hot.

Use an 82K ohm 1/2 watt resistor (for 120 VAC)

If you use neon indicator lamp assemblies, they usually have a resistor built in.

[PeteS in CA]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

Can Dim-Bulb Testers be installed at the doorways to polling places?

That's not the kind of dim bulb you meant? Ohhhhhhh ........ never mind.

[goontron]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

You will want a current limiting resistor for the neon bulbs, they typically run at 90 or so volts, and if you try to increase the voltage further, they will draw a lot of current and get very hot.

Use an 82K ohm 1/2 watt resistor (for 120 VAC)

If you use neon indicator lamp assemblies, they usually have a resistor built in.

like this?

[redwire]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

That looks great, the indicators are just to avoid confusion when the smoke stops
I remember trying to destroy an alkaline D battery and all that happened was the breaker kept tripping and the nomex wiring rattling in the walls. The energy meter sure would spin up fa$t. Should have used a "tester" like this.

Here's a typical circuit-breaker trip curve (Eaton Cutler Hammer). It shows you can get a lot of current, too much under some circumstances from a 15A breaker.

[goontron]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

ok now rev9.
i added a relay to connect ground past the bypass if the power mains go and i added a mains switch aswell as a mains connected indicator.

[redwire]

Re: dim-bulb like tester. need feedback

I don't see the need for the ground-lift relay. If mains fails, I don't know of a load that can then generate power into a ground fault, and zap someone.