Electronics > Beginners
measuring CFL voltage
schmitt trigger:
Remeber, CFL power supplies are high frequency. Used to be 27 to 30 Khz but that caused interference with TV remotes, so the frequency nowadays is higher than 40 Khz.
I doubt that most common multimeters would be able to read the voltage at that frequency accurately.
Additionally, the voltage may have an unusual crest factor.
I would read the voltage with a scope. Use a 10X probe and start with the highest volt/div setting. As others have mentioned, the open circuit voltage is significantly higher than the operating voltage.
Pirateguy:
as luck would have it i am about to invest in my first proper scope :)
i wonder, in this context, would a plasma arc be considered a load?
and what about coils? could i wirelessly measure the frequency?
wraper:
--- Quote from: schmitt trigger on September 19, 2018, 01:58:12 pm ---I would read the voltage with a scope. Use a 10X probe and start with the highest volt/div setting. As others have mentioned, the open circuit voltage is significantly higher than the operating voltage.
--- End quote ---
:palm: |O Are you crazy suggesting this? It's a killer for probes and oscilloscopes, way more dangerous than for multimeters. Not only scope inputs are not isolated, they and their probes usually are rated for around 300V peak only. It's not even sufficient to measure 230V RMS because peak voltage exceeds 300V. Not to say CFL ballast output where you could often see one kilovolt or sometimes even more. There are already plenty of people with destroyed oscilloscopes, probes and multimeters.
Don't ever touch CFL ballast with oscilloscope unless you have high voltage isolated probe.
drussell:
--- Quote from: schmitt trigger on September 19, 2018, 01:58:12 pm ---I would read the voltage with a scope. Use a 10X probe and start with the highest volt/div setting. As others have mentioned, the open circuit voltage is significantly higher than the operating voltage.
--- End quote ---
Ummmm, i don't think probing a couple thousand volts with a X10 oscilloscope probe is a very good idea. :palm:
Edit: Like wraper said, in the post above...
Pirateguy:
would a diy high voltage probe work?
(the ones where u multiply the internal resistance of the meter)
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