Strobe light control - an additional touch to light displays

2-46 - elektor february 1982 strobe light control strobe light control an additional touch to light displays Light displays feature on a grand scale in many areas, the best known probably being discos. The methods of control for them vary widely from audio sources to highly sophisticated computer control systems. The circuit described in this article is neither sophisticated nor complicated, but safe and capable of providing a light pattern that can be changed at will. It will probably be most useful in the home or in shop windows to add a little extra touch of colour. Strictly speaking, a "strobe" light is similar to the familiar neon light, since both involve a tube filled with inert gas. By connecting a voltage across the anode and cathode of the tube, a point will be reached at which the tube suddenly emits light. In other words the tube has "ignited". To put it quite simply: the tube is provided with energy in the form of a powerful electric field. The tube then reproduces ...