DIYbanter - View Single Post - How much power does a 120v 15A lighted switch use anyway?

Don Klipstein

In ,
wrote:

The energy used reading and responding to this post now equals more
than the lifetime energy used by this switches lamp............

In the unlikekly event an NE-2H lamp conks out and stops conducting
after 25,000 hours at its design current of 1.9 milliamps, this amounts to
5.7 KWH for the NE-2H and its dropping resistor in 120V use. That is
equal to 1 horsepower for about 7.5 hours - I would call that at least
an order of magnitude more than reading and responding to this whole
thread so far.

The electricity consumed by the neon lamp and its dropping resistor over
the life of the neon lamp may cost under a dollar, may cost a couple to a
few dollars, depending on your electricity rates, actual life of the neon
lamp, and inflation of electricity cost. (Is that how much more you are
willing to pay on top of up-front cost for having a light in the switch?
As long as you are aware and willing to pay it...)

--
- Don Klipstein )