Your theory is very true.
I have a horrible practical result of not following this rule. One of my
collaborators ignored a big sign posted on LSM-410 screaming: "Turn on the
fluorescence microscope arc lamp
before turning on the computer". The result is simple: 1. It cost money to
repair the Matrox video card and 2. we lost very expensive time waiting for it
to be repaired.
So, make your own conclusions.



Wes Wallace wrote:

> Does anybody know what the risks to users are from the power surge when
> turning on a fluorescence microscope arc lamp?  I've been told not to turn
> on the computer until 1 min. after the lamp.  I believe this is because the
> lamp's voltage converter sends a surge of high-voltage current into the
> lamp in order to ignite the arc, and the magnetic field induced by this
> high-voltage current could damage the computer.  Is this correct?  Also,
> are there any precautions people take against adverse health effects from
> this power surge?
>
> Wes Wallace
> Dept. Neuroscience
> Brown University



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