"hooch" wrote in message
...
On Nov 18, 12:15 am, Sam Goldwasser wrote:
clifto writes:
Sam Goldwasser wrote:
While the scenario of the bits of the filament shorting is possible
with
some lamps (usually with long thin filaments, though unlikely with
the
short filaments of halogen lamps), the more likely cause is the arc
resulting when the filament opens. This results in the arc moving
towards the filament supports, with a lower resistance than the
filament
had originally, leading to a high current.

What I never figured out is how the arc is maintained for more than
1/120
of a second when there's no air around the arc to ionize.

There's an inert gas.

Only the smallest incandescent lamps have a vacuum inside.

As, I think, do TV picture tubes. I like your TV Repair FAQ, by the
way.

And any other vacuum tube, but this discussion was specific to lightbulbs.