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Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.UUCP (Henry Spencer)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Prom Erasure
Message-ID: <4377@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 27-Sep-84 13:43:42 EDT
Article-I.D.: utzoo.4377
Posted: Thu Sep 27 13:43:42 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 27-Sep-84 13:43:42 EDT
References: <12306@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 23

> There are two different kinds of ultraviolet tubes available--short
> wave and long wave.  The kind used to illuminate posters, etc. are
> long wave.  The kind used to erase EPROMS are short wave.  Short wave
> UV is the component of sunlight which causes tanning (and sunburn, and
> skin cancer), so you have to be very careful not to look at a short
> wave UV lamp.  I've been using a General Electric G8T5 8-watt
> ... The
> easiest way (and probably cheapest way) to build an EPROM eraser is to
> buy the G8T5 tube and put it in an inexpensive fluorescent desk lamp
> which already contains the correct ballast, starter, sockets, cord and
> power switch.

The first part needs emphasizing in relation to the second part.  The
commercial EPROM erasers are carefully designed to make it very hard to
get even a glimpse of the UV.  SHORT-WAVE ULTRAVIOLET CAN CAUSE SEVERE
PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE!!  If you do build an EPROM eraser using a desk
lamp, be very careful when using it.  And for heaven's sake don't leave
it lying around looking like an innocent desk lamp!  When you're not
using it, take the UV bulb out and lock it up somewhere.  A nice big
"DANGER" label next to the power switch would also be appropriate.
-- 
				Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
				{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!henry