tom@uofm-cv.UUCP (Tom Libert) (06/06/84)
Subject: Prom Erasure 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 germicidal tube with very good results. If you want to build an eraser from scratch then you'll also need an 8-watt ballast and an FS-5 starter. There are some back issues of BYTE magazine which describe the construction of an EPROM eraser. However, at least one of these articles INCORRECTLY suggests using a long-wave UV lamp. 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. Good luck and have fun. Let me know if you need more information. Tom Libert Dept. of EECS Division of Computer Sci. and Engin. Univ. of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (313) 763-6474
karn@mouton.UUCP (06/07/84)
A very important thing to remember if you're going to build your own EPROM eraser is that short wave UV is very harmful to your eyes. Commercial units are well enclosed and have interlocks to keep you from blinding yourself. Be careful! Phil