Product Overview
Tubular Cold-Cathode Gas Discharge Pilot Lamp with Axial Wire Terminals
Condition
Unused new old stock (NOS). Clear glass envelope is intact with clean, unbent wire leads and dual parallel internal electrodes. Sold each.
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Product Overview
Unbranded T3 miniature neon glow indicator lamp. Built with a clear tubular glass envelope, dual parallel cylindrical electrodes, a pinch base with a red indicator bead, and flexible wire leads. Designed for panel pilot illumination, mains voltage status display, and low-current electronic switching circuits.
Key Features
- Tubular glass envelope with top exhaust seal tip
- Dual parallel cylindrical internal electrodes
- Bare wire lead terminals for direct soldering or point-to-point wiring
- Pinch base with red junction indicator bead
- Gas discharge design provides visual glow indication
Applications
- Replacing blown power pilot lamps in vintage test equipment, radios, and guitar amplifiers
- Wiring power-on indicators into bench supplies and utility panels
- Building analog relaxation oscillators and visual pulse circuits for electronic instruments
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this neon bulb connect directly to line voltage?
Neon glow lamps require an external series current-limiting resistor to operate safely on line power. Connecting the bare leads directly across AC or DC without a series ballast resistor will cause an immediate overcurrent arc and destroy the lamp.
Are there any part numbers or voltage ratings printed on the glass?
No part numbers, ratings, or manufacturer markings are printed on the glass body.
What is the function of the two parallel internal electrodes?
Under alternating current (AC), both electrodes glow alternately to produce an even light. Under direct current (DC), only the negative cathode glows, which also serves as a visual polarity indicator.
Nothing quite matches the warm, low-frequency hum and steady orange aura of a real gas-discharge lamp on a live bench. Wire it in, dial the ballast, and watch the circuit breathe.
