"Jim Thompson"

In the early '80's, when I did disco stuff, I controlled neon
transformers by feeding them _complete_ cycles only (using TRIAC's).

I found, from experiment, that partial cycles or an odd number of half
cycles would ultimately smoke the transformer.



** An automatic result of the large DC component inherent in half cycles or
1.5 cycles or 2.5 cycles etc.

But to minimise current surges - use whole numbers of cycles, commencing
at a peak.

Least DC component x time.

Do the math.




....... Phil