MINIATURE LAMP APPLICATIONS 15-7

Illuminated indicators of various kinds are much more conspicuous than

those depending upon reflected light only and often are more compact.
Flashlight batteries and flashlight lamps are used frequently; but, where a
lamp is operated continuously, radio-set, filament-heating transformers
may be used instead of batteries.
Neon glow lamps are used widely for testing circuits on 110 to 120
volts. Low-voltage circuit testers usually employ T-2 bulb, tungsten-
filament lamps of the telephone-switchboard type.
Instruments. Miniature lamps can be used to illuminate panel-type
meter dials so as to overcome the shielding effect of light externally re-
flected by the cover glass. A lamp centered inside the case also can be
used.
Many microscopes require local illumination. Some use small 120-volt
lamps in a separate condenser type of illuminator. In others, miniature
lamps are built into illuminators attached to the microscope. Low-voltage
microscope lamps employ a filament that approximates a square in cross
section. They are available with ratings of 6.5, 8,
and 11.5 volts and
with bayonet and miniature screw bases. Such a source with a closely
wound filament is capable of producing a high illumination level on the
small specimen area being examined. A few microscope illuminator
lamps have been made with ring-type bulbs ; one such lamp is approximately
1^ inches in diameter and another 2| inches. These lamps are equipped
with wire terminals. Because construction is difficult and few are made
they are more expensive than the more common types.
Miniature lamps, such as one with a G-10 bulb and a candelabra-screw
base, having an S-6 straight wire filament, and rated at 3 to 4 volts and
0.5 ampere, are used in galvanometers. For lamps of this character as
well as for oscillograph and seismograph lamps, bulbs are individually
selected for freedom of minute glass imperfections. Not all oscillograph
lamps employ straight wire filaments, a few use coiled filaments. Some
of these lamps employ a spring to keep the filament straight.
Pinball Games and Juke Boxes
Pinball games. A variety of miniature lamps in the voltage range be-
tween 6 and 28 volts has been used in pinball games. Many games
incorporate seventy-five or more lamps. In order to simplify the wiring
it is desirable that the lamps have filaments of 25 to 28 volts, since that
voltage range operates the relays also incorporated in these games.
Phonographs or juke boxes. Coin-operated phonographs (juke boxes)
frequently utilize miniature lamps for decorative effects. These are
employed principally because of their small size, low price, and rugged
structure. They are operated from a transformer. A 6-
to 8-volt lamp
in a G-6 bulb with a single-contact bayonet base is used frequently. Its
rated output is 3 candlepower and it has a life of 1,000 hours. Fifteen-watt
white and colored fluorescent lamps also are being used to illuminate the
large translucent plastic panels often incorporated in these machines.
The latter produce more lumens per watt than incandescent lamps. This
is advantageous since heat emitted by decorative lamps and by tubes ill
the amplifier circuit must be limited.