Frequently Asked Questions
- Are your products ROHS compliant?
- Can you convert MSCP to MCD?
- What does MSCP stand for?
- What is the wattage of this Lamp?
- What is the current draw of this Lamp?
- My neon lamp blows when placed in a circuit. What's wrong with it?
- I placed a green lens over my neon lamp but can see no visible light.
- What is the typical operating voltage of an LED?
- Do you produce any infrared LED's, photocells, or optocouplers?
- Is a LED a polarized device?
- How can I tell the anode(+) connection from the cathode(-) connection on an LED?
- How long is the average life value stated in your catalog obtained?
- Can this lamp be operated on AC or DC voltage?
- What is notching?
- What value-added services are available through Chicago Miniature Lighting?
- Which lead would be better for my application, copper or tin?
- What is meant by the Viewing Angle of the LED device is XXX°?
- Do you carry watertight or waterproof indicators?
- What is the difference between a relampable and non-relampable indicator?
- What is a series circuit?
- What is a parallel circuit?
- What does the T-1-3/4 nomenclature indicate?
- How does running below/above the specified voltage affect my incandescent lamp life?
- What color LEDs do you carry?
- What is meant by the wavelength color of that device is XXXnm?
Are your products ROHS compliant?
Most of Chicago Miniature Lighting products are conform to the requirements of the European Union’s Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment "RoHS" Directive, 2002/95/EC and is (are) compatible with the RoHS requirements (as of the date of this certification) for Cd (Cadmium), Pb (Lead), Hg (Mercury), Cr6+ (Hexavalent Chromium), PBBs (Polybrominated Biphenyls), and PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers at the specified RoHS threshold.
We invite you to visit regularly our website and to download the pdf from the homepage to have the latest version.
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Can you convert MSCP to MCD?
No. You cannot convert these two units of light output. MSCP is a measurement taken in all directions vs. MCD (Millicandela's) which is taken from one direction. The light outputs are gathered differently and cannot be converted.
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What does MSCP stand for?
MSCP stands for Mean Spherical Candle Power. This is the unit of measure for light output or the intensity of an incandescent lamp. It represents the average light output measured in all directions (360°). Reference page 5 for additional information.
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What is the wattage of this Lamp?
To obtain the wattage of any given lamp you need to multiply voltage and amperage. Ex: CM387 lamp: 28.0 X .040 amps. = 1.12 watts.
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What is the current draw of this Lamp?
To obtain the current draw of any given lamp, you need to divide the stated wattage by the voltage. Ex: CM387 lamp: 1.12 watts / 28.oV = 0.040 amps. "110
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My neon lamp blows when placed in a circuit. What's wrong with it?
All Neon's with the exception to those listed on pages 68, 70 and 72 of the Chicago Miniature Lighting Databook require an external resistor in series to limit the current to the lamp. Reference footnote 11 in the Neon section of the catalog for resistor notation. We Can Supply With a Resistor Welded On If Customer Requests It.
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I placed a green lens over my neon lamp but can see no visible light.
A standard Lamp only gives off light within the yellow to red region. It has no green light emission to filter. You can purchase a green Neon Lamp that gives light within the green to yellow region. Reference catalog page 64 of the Chicago Miniature Lighting Databook for additional information.
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What is the typical operating voltage of an LED?
The typical voltage for most LED's is from 1.8V to 2.2V. A blue LED has a slightly different range form 3.0V to 3.5V. Various standard LED's can be produced with an internal resistor for 5.0V and 12.0V operation. See the applicable catalog page for the exact voltage.
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Do you produce any infrared LED's, photocells, or optocouplers?
Chicago Miniature Lighting currently only produces products in the visible light region. We produce none of the listed items.
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Is a LED a polarized device?
Yes, an LED does need to be operated in a DC circuit which is polarized.
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How can I tell the anode(+) connection from the cathode(-) connection on an LED?
Typically, the cathode of an LED is indicated by a short lead or flat on the flange. Reference the specific catalog page for the proper cathode indication.
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How long is the average life value stated in your catalog obtained?
The stated average life values in our catalog are obtained by running the lamps on AC voltage in perfect laboratory conditions. The lamps are well spaced for heat dissipation and in a constant 70° F temperature.
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Can this lamp be operated on AC or DC voltage?
To answer this question we need to address each lamp type individually. An incandescent lamp will operate on either AC or DC, but when operated on DC a 50% life reduction will occur due to a phenomenon known as DC notching. A neon Lamp will also operate on either AC or DC but will also have a 60% reduction in the stated life value. An LED, however, will only operate on DC and requires a specific positive and negative connection when placed in a circuit. A special bipolar LED is available for AC operation if required. Reference the technical sections prior to each component if additional information is required.
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What is notching?
DC notching is a phenomenon that occurs to an incandescent lamp when operated on DC voltage. The Tungsten material flows in the direction of the current and stops when it has reached its elasticity point and then starts to flow again. This movement created various weak points within the filament wire thus shortening the average rated life by approximately 50%. Reference catalog page.
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What value-added services are available through Chicago Miniature Lighting?
A wide variety of value-added services are available from Chicago Miniature Lighting. The following services are an example of what we can offer. LED binning, lead forming and cutting on a standard device, lead extensions by crimping or butt welding, addition of external components; resistors, capacitors, etc. Hand selection for the light output or voltage breakdown on certain devices. Reference catalog pages 10, 65, and 78 for additional information.
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Which lead would be better for my application, copper or tin?
A copper lead is best suited for a weld connection. It can also be soldered. A tinned lead is best for a solder connection. But it can also be welded.
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What is meant by the Viewing Angle of the LED device is XXX°?
The viewing angle of an LED is the representation of the light output pattern. It is measured by determining the angle between half intensity points on either side of the lamp's axis. Reference catalog page 77 for additional information.
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Do you carry watertight or waterproof indicators?
Yes, we carry one watertight indicator (5139-038) and several waterproof indicators (5160-485, 5100 and 5200 series, and the 5796 series). The difference between a watertight and a waterproof indicator is that a watertight indicator is supplied with an O-ring and can be submerged in water versus a waterproof which is supplied with flat gaskets and will withstand rain conditions or water being splashed on the indicator.
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What is the difference between a relampable and non-relampable indicator?
A relampable indicator has a lens that can be removed from the front of the panel allowing the lighted device within the indicator to be replaced once burned out. A non-relampable indicator is a one-piece device. Once the lighted device within the indicator burns out, the whole indicator must be replaced.
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What is a series circuit?
A series circuit is when two or more devices are operated in-line. When connected in this fashion the voltage becomes additive and the current remains the same. One of the negatives to this type of circuit is that when one device within the unit burns out, the entire string is no good. An example of this type of circuit is your Christmas tree lights. A string of 100 lamps uses a 1.2V lamp in series to operate off standard line voltage of 120V (1.2V X 100 amps = 120V). Because they are in series the entire string will only draw approximately .200 amps.
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What is a parallel circuit?
A parallel circuit is when two or more lamps have the same positive and negative connections. When connected in this fashion, the voltage remains constant and the current or wattage becomes additive. One of the negatives to this type of circuit is the current or wattage can become large and use far more energy than a series circuit. An example of this type of circuit is your large outside Christmas lights. A string of 100 lamps uses 120V, 7 Watt lamp. Since the current or wattage is additive, this circuit will require approximately 700 watts (7 watts X 100 lamps).
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What does the T-1-3/4 nomenclature indicate?
The T-1-3/4 nomenclature indicates the shape and size of that particular device. The T or various other descriptions (S, G, PR, TL, etc.) indicates the envelope shape of the device, reference catalog page 8 for the specific meaning tied to each letter. The 1-3/4 indicates the envelope size in eighths (0.125) of an inch. An example is a T-1-3/4 lamp has a 0.219 diameter (1.75 X 0.125 = 0.219).
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How does running below/above the specified voltage affect my incandescent lamp life?
An incandescent lamp when operated below its rated voltage will extend its average rated life. Reference catalog page 6 and your re-rating sheet for the exact calculations. Make sure when re-rating below the stated voltage you do not re-rate more than 10%. The value obtained when re-rating below 10% is not realistic.
An incandescent lamp when operated above its rated voltage will reduce its average rated life.
Again, reference page 6 and your re-rating sheet for the exact calculations.
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What color LEDs do you carry?
Chicago Miniature Lighting currently carries the following standard and nonstandard colors with their listed wavelength/standard color:
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Standard Colors:
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Nonstandard Colors: Amber (610nm) |
What is meant by the wavelength color of that device is XXXnm?
The wavelength of a device is the representation of the radiant energy given off when energized. The unit of measure for a wavelength is the manometer (nm). The radiant energy or wavelength of a given device refers to the color region or regions emitted when energized.
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Engineering Support
Our experts are happy to share their indepth technical expertise of the lighting market with you. You can browse the technical notes by selecting the type of products you are interested in:
Technical notes on:
