Home Made bench test equipment

[Theodosea]

Gary, I don't like bangs! bad nerves!
Regards Nick

[Theodosea]

Sam, yes these incandescent lamps are now irreplaceable but  whenever I see any at a car boot or radio rally I pick them up! they are usually dirt cheap - even picked a whole carton of 24x 60w BC for £3!
So I dont think i am going to run out of these for some time!
Regards Nick

[ppppenguin]

I'm a fully paid up coward. Lamp limiter and/or variac every time. Except for kit with switchmode power supplies which can do nasty things.

I remember the late and much loved Gerry Wells never took any precautions. The odd bang was all part of the fun, though I think he said he once had a main electrolytic explode through the case of a radio.

[Kalee20]

A lamp is poor to abysmal for switch on surge as it can be 1/10th resistance when cold.

I agree - but despite that, it's unheard of for a 40W light bulb to trip a circuit breaker ir blow a mains fuse. It'll do the job - and Theodosea has already verified it.