Relaxation Oscillator (5F30.60)

Description:

A capacitor, resistor, and DC power supply are wired in series, with a neon bulb in parallel with the capacitor. The capacitor charges to about 80 V (the breakdown voltage of the neon bulb), then discharges through the bulb and begins the cycle again. The capacitor voltage can be plotted on an oscilloscope.

Procedure or Operation Notes:

The capacitor is 1 μF and the resistor is 1MΩ. The resistance can be varied on the resistor box, but values around 1MΩ work the best.

Do not adjust the power supply! Leave it at 80 to 90 Volts DC.

References, Comments, or Footnotes:

See Neon Lamp (5D40.50) for more information about the neon lamps.

See also Emergency Flasher.