Do cathode tubes really explode??

[Pedalmonkey]

i have a friend who is extremely adamant about not having cathode tubes because their powersupplies or what ever explode. is this really true, or just mith.??

[ZOMGVTEK]

....Explode?

The inverters are designed quite poorly, and often have a short lifespan, and can 'blow up' but thats generally just stop working, or maybie a little smoke at worst. I couldnt see how the hell its going to explode in any way.

[Pedalmonkey]

ok, i was pretty sure no one in these forums would use them if they could "explode and set fire to your computer, house etc." that was according to this friend :D

[The Dome]

Out of the 10 or so pairs of cathodes I have purchased, I've had one inverter randomly stop working but the other managed to burn itself out and get hot enough to start melting the plastic and emit a strong burning odor.

[ZOMGVTEK]

ok, i was pretty sure no one in these forums would use them if they could "explode and set fire to your computer, house etc." that was according to this friend :D

Well, they surely dont do that...

And if there inside your computer, how do they burn your house down? (assuming you have a aluminum/steel case)

Nothing inside your computer is really flammable... At all.

[ZOMGVTEK]

Out of the 10 or so pairs of cathodes I have purchased, I've had one inverter randomly stop working but the other managed to burn itself out and get hot enough to start melting the plastic and emit a strong burning odor.

But yes... they can do that.

[systemviper]

So i am designing a case with a few UV CC I guess that is Cold Cathode tubes in it. Is it smart to use them or should I use LED's

Although a new brand AC Ryan just came out and it's like 2-3 times the cost, maybe they are making a better product.

[[XC] NetburstXE]

Explode? WTW? Eventually the inverter will burn out. Worst case scenario it'll melt the plastic that it enclosed in and maybe start smoking, but not explode. There was one in my brother's PC that worked for a while (around a year or so) and then eventually just stopped working. No smoke, no melting plastic, and no explosion.

[Emerica]

The cathodes in my case have never exploded and haven't burned out yet.

[little_scrapper]

For it to explode it would have to be comprised of some sort of... you guessed it. EXPLOSIVES!!!

I have seen many many electrolytic caps splode all apart into a fantastic looking paper party. I used to scare the Cr ap out of the new guys by wiring 47uf caps to the pwr backwards via long wires and tuck them under the pwr supply and hanging off the back of the bench. then while the pwr supply was off I would turn the voltage all the way up and when they turned the pwr supply on in the morning it would redline for about 2 seconds and them BLAMMO!!!! Lucky if they dont soil themselves.

[Empty_Quarter]

I haven't had any cathodes explode on me, however, I have had the molex connector to it burn out. It happened while my PC was working, and it was not funny seeing electrical smoke come out. It was a very BAD experience to see your PC in flames, Since then, I vowed to never use cathodes again.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/empty-quarter/DSCN0348.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/empty-quarter/DSCN0349.jpg

Oh, and dont ask how it happened, I myself dont know, cheap cables im presuming.

[3lfk1ng]

I have owned about 12 cathodes in my history.

The ones from Cooler Master I have had really good luck with.
The ones from Logisys... not such good luck with...
I had one pair from Logisys shoot a spark (story below) and
Another pair also from Logisys have one(of 2 tubes) take forever to become white...started out a faded Orange color... and then after about 2 hours of use it would be just as white as the other.

I have never had a Cathode Explode but I did have one shoot a quick spark... a puff of smoke and then sizzle before I turned off my computer.
The cathodes typically have little cubes at the ends...and my Logisys (whom I don't buy from anymore) burnt through the cube and melted the cable.

For Inverter issues (which are much more common) there are high quality Aluminum inverters available online. (http://www.vibelights.com/alduin.html)