If the neon lamp to the glass Cabinet and touch one of her the findings of the phase wires in the mains, the lamp begins to glow. Current caller the glow that flows through the capacitance between the fingers and the inner the electrodes of the lamp.
This effect can be used to manufacture the simplest indicator phase wires.
To one terminal of the bulb soldered metal pin. Choose the one conclusion, which turns out the most bright glow. On the plinth lamp wear slightly stretched PVC pipe. The cavity in the tube with straw to fill with epoxy glue (see picture).
The indicator can be used in a variety of compact lamps: TN-0,5; MN-6, the thyratron MTH-90, etc. the sensitivity of the indicator is somewhat lower compared to traditional indicator with a resistor.
Author: S. L. Oak, Saint-Petersburg, Russia