Definition

Noun: A glow lamp is a type of gas-discharge tube that contains a hot cathode. It produces light by passing an electric current through an ionized gas. These lamps are known for their characteristic soft, steady glow and are often used in applications like stroboscopes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The technician replaced the old glow lamp in the stroboscope.
  • A neon glow lamp can often be seen in vintage electronics.
  • The indicator light uses a small, efficient glow lamp.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In electronics, a glow lamp may serve as a voltage regulator or a simple visual indicator due to its stable breakdown voltage.
  • The circuit uses a neon glow lamp as a reference element to stabilize the output.

Variants and Related Words

• Neon lamp: A common type of glow lamp filled with neon gas.
• Gas-discharge lamp: The broader category to which glow lamps belong.
• Stroboscope: An instrument that often utilizes a glow lamp to produce regular flashes of light for measuring rotational speed or observing cyclic motion.

Synonyms

• Discharge tube
• Neon indicator

Notes on Meaning

This term specifically refers to a lamp with a hot cathode, distinguishing it from cold-cathode variants. Its primary function is to produce a continuous glow for illumination or indication, with a key application being in stroboscopic devices.

Noun

1. a gas-discharge tube with a hot cathode; used in stroboscopes