1 year, 5 months ago
Reverse polarity on nixie tube?
Does anyone know if you can reverse the polarity on a nixie tube to make the grid (normally the anode) glow (while using one of the numbers as an anode)? I'd like to possibly do this for some extra visual effect when switching nubers on a nixie clock. Would this damage the nixie? it seems like the nixie operates under the same principles as a neon lamp (like an ne-2), which can be run with either polarity dc or ac.
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M$1 Answer
It is possible, but with the current flow through the nixie material there is a material transport from (i think, it may be the other way) anode to cathode. This is also the reason why some areas around the numbers do not glow like other areas after a long on time. So you might get problems after one or two years. These problems can be solved, by runnign a high current throught the nixie for some days and change the displayed numbers from time to time.
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