Test & Measurement of Thermionic Valves / Electron Tubes / Vacuum Tubes
The VssBurst Parametric Static Tube Tester
By Hugo M. Fuxa
Table of Contents:
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
2.12
2.13
2.14
2.15
2.16
2.17
2.18
2.19
2.20
2.21
2.22
2.23
2.24
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction:
Whu this is not a manual
Chapter 1
A Brief History of Electricity:
Let there be
Light!
Chapter 2
General Considerations on Testing Vacuum Tubes
Objective Standards
Positive or Negative Electricity
Testing
Considerations
Vacuum Tube Segregation
Vacuum Tube Thermal Shock
Vacuum Tube Galvanic Corrosion
Voltage and Heat in a Vacuum Tube
Mechanical
Distances Between Differing Elements
Runaway Emission in Vacuum Tubes
Consistency of Emission in Vacuum Tubes
Non Destructive VS Destructive
Testing in a Vacuum Tube
Tube to Tube Comparisons
Life Expectancy of a Vacuum Tube
Tubes That Are Fit For Use
Gas Tests and Gassy Tubes
Vacuum
Tube Heater Variables
Limiting Values on Vacuum Tubes
AC vs DC Vacuum Tube Tests
Rotary Switches in Vacuum Tube Testers
Vacuum Tube Shorts
Tests
Vacuum Tube In Circuit Shorts
Vacuum Tube Emission Drift
Vacuum Tube Sweet Spot
Some Final Observations
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.7
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16
4.17
4.18
4.19
4.20
4.21
4.22
4.23
4.24
4.25
4.26
Chapter 4
TUT: Tube Under Test
Using the VssBurst Static Parametric Tube Tester
SAFETY
The VssBurst Tube Tester
The Voltage
and Current Meters
The VssBurst Power Supplies: A,B and C
Test Fixture is the ABC Circuit
Test Fixture
Find the Tube Pin Out
Connect the
Test Leads
Completing the ABC Ciruit
Find the Tube's Limiting Values
Apply Voltage, Observe Current
Sample Test Methodology
Heater to Cathode
Emission Test
Grid to Cathode Emission Test
Cathode to Tube Elements Emission Test
Emission Test
Zero Emission Test
Fixed Grid Test
Heater
Current
Heater Voltage Drop Test
Stressed Stable Emission Test
Sample Results EL34B
Testing a Double Triode
Sample Results 12AX7
Sample
Results 12AU7
Further Reading
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
Chapter 3:
On Specifications and Data Sheets
Data Book Specifications
Abbreviations and Symbols
Non Circuit Conventions Used
Country
Specific Data Book Terminology
British Standardization
Dutch Standardization
German Standardization
USA Standardization
JAN Tubes
Others
Watts