How long do Nixie tube clocks last?
David Jones
Updated on April 04, 2026
Average longevity of Nixie tubes varied from about 5,000 hours for the earliest types, to as high as 200,000 hours or more for some of the last types to be introduced.
Are Nixie tubes interchangeable?
12 or 24 hours format. Built-in battery socket for proper time backup during power interruptions. The Vintage Nixie Clock was designed to work below its operation point to ensure the tubes last longer for you. Easily replaceable Nixie tubes, they are not soldered to the PCB!
Why are Nixie tube clocks so expensive?
The reason is that nobody is making nixie tubes on a commercial basis nowadays. As old tubes get used up, they also become more expensive. The tiny tubes used in watches are especially rare because they were rarely used in the nixie display age. The thing is that tubes were not popular in clocks until recent years.
How long does an in 14 Nixie tube last?
Overview of Soviet (russian) Nixie Tubes types: height, what they display and their life expectancy
| Type | Height of digit | Life time |
|---|---|---|
| IN-14 (ИН-14) | 18 mm | min. 5000 / 12 500 h |
| IN-15A, IN-15B (ИН-15А, ИН-15Б) | 18 mm | min. 1000 h (A) / 800 h (B) |
| IN-16 (ИН-16) | 13 mm | min. 5000 h |
| IN-17 (ИН-17) | 9 mm | min. 7500 / 9000 h |
Are Nixie clocks a fire hazard?
Our clocks are powered from power adaptor which is able to deliver only 24W, in case of short-circuit of any kind in the clock/tube, the power adaptor cuts off the power. No risk of setting surroundings on fire.
Can you touch Nixie tubes?
Yes! But be careful, touching any conducting part of your circuit can be lethal. If you are not familiar with working with mains fed circuits first read this. Examples of clocks which are fed directly from the mains are the Tube-in-Tube clock, my single-tube E1T clock, and Geert’s single digit nixie clock.
