Earth Strip Fluorescent Tubes

scooterr · 8 Dec 2010

Hi, I am trying to find a company that provides the service of putting earth strips on tubes. I know they are out there somewhere but cannot find them.

Even the number of a company that used to supply tubes already fitted would be useful as they may remember who they used.

Thanks,

Even the vaguest of clues would be appreciated.

flameport · 9 Dec 2010

While these tubes did exist once, surely the metal strip was a factory fitted option, not something added afterwards? Philips certainly used to make tubes with earth strips.
Can't imagine any company would provide such a service now anyway, since the number of fittings still in use must be very small.

If you really need such tubes, then self adhesive foil tape is available.
However replacement of the fittings is probably long overdue.

Stoday · 9 Dec 2010

The old-style fluorescent light fittings had earthed clips that contacted the metallic caps on the ends of the tubes, thus earthing the strip. I don't know of any fitting manufactured in the last 40 years that has such a feature.

It really is time to replace the fittings.

londonboy · 9 Dec 2010

Excuse me for asking the obvious

What is an earth strip on a tube??!!

tonyelectric · 10 Dec 2010

I don't know of any suppliers any more, we sold our last one 9 years ago but London Underground still use them at some of the older stations so must have a supplier - a call to their engineering depot may enlighten you (no pun intended) to a source.

Londonboy, imagine a fluorecent tube with a very narrow foil strip along one side that earths along the outside of the tube, the strp is positioned up so is not visible, they were popular on early starterless fluorecent lights of the 50's & 60's, Atlas made a lot of such fittings for commercial use where it was a good idea to do away with starters, the higher cost of the lights meant they rarely got used domestically

flameport · 10 Dec 2010

Found a picture and other info on the earth strip types:
http://www.lamptech.co.uk/Spec Sheets/Mazda MCFA20.htm

and these monstrosities, which I have only seen once - the tube had failed after decades in use and obviously no replacements were available, so the fitting was replaced.
http://www.lamptech.co.uk/Spec Sheets/Philips MCFE80.htm

scooterr · 10 Dec 2010

Thanks guys! To be honest I wasn't expecting any replies at all and if its any consolation londonboy I hadn't heard of these lamps either before the other day when a customer asked me.

Flameport, thanks for going to the trouble of finding those links, the information was most illuminating (sorry I couldn't resist that one!). I have actually found someone to supply them now. So all is well with the world (well my world anyway)

Thanks again and have a great Christmas!

PS If any of you are involved with lamp distribution/selling how is business cos we are mighty quiet.

pte440 · 10 Dec 2010

Hello,
Internationallamps.co.uk suppy them, they are made by Philips, i have just bought some 4 and 5 foot ones for use in SRS fittings

We still have a few SRS fittings here, but slowly being replaced to Hi Freaky ones

Peter

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Earth Strip Fluorescent Tubes

tonyelectric

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