Gasafladningsrør

Gasafladningsrør, which translates to "gas discharge tube" in English, refers to a type of electrical component that conducts electricity through a gas. This conduction occurs when a sufficiently high voltage is applied across the electrodes within the tube, causing the gas to ionize. Ionization means that the gas molecules lose electrons, creating free charge carriers that can carry an electric current.

These tubes have been utilized in various applications. Historically, they served as voltage regulators, maintaining a stable output voltage by shunting excess current. In lighting, they form the basis of fluorescent lamps and neon signs, where the excited gas atoms emit light. Early forms of electronic switching also employed gas discharge tubes.

The operation of a gas discharge tube is dependent on the type of gas enclosed, the pressure, and the electrode material. Different gases produce different colors of light when excited. The voltage required to initiate conduction is known as the breakdown voltage, and once initiated, the voltage required to sustain the discharge is typically lower. Gas discharge tubes can be broadly categorized into glow discharge tubes and arc discharge tubes, each with distinct operating characteristics. While many of their historical applications have been superseded by solid-state electronics, the principles behind them remain fundamental in understanding gas-based electrical phenomena.