Essential Characteristics

[rolandson]

Back in the day tube manufacturers published the specifications of vacuum tubes in book form because the TV repair guy often made house calls and access to this sort of information was... useful. Now they're available as pixels so everyone can read them...

GE



Vacuum Tube Manual: GE Essential Characteristics : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive


and RCA's

Vacuum Tube Manual: RCA RC-30 1975 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive​

Vacuum Tube Manual: RCA RC-30 1975
archive.org

...Western Electric's

Western Electric Tube Manual 1963 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive​

Western Electric Tube Manual 1963
archive.org

Sylvania

Vacuum Tube Manual: Sylvania 1959 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive​

Vacuum Tube Manual: Sylvania 1959
archive.org

Mullard

Mullard_Valves_and_Electron_Tubes : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

archive.org

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

Back in the day tube manufacturers published the specifications of vacuum tubes in book form because the TV repair guy often made house calls and access to this sort of information was... useful. Now they're available as pixels so everyone can read them...

GE

View attachment 101990

Vacuum Tube Manual: GE Essential Characteristics : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive


and RCA's

Vacuum Tube Manual: RCA RC-30 1975 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive​

Vacuum Tube Manual: RCA RC-30 1975
archive.org

...Western Electric's

Western Electric Tube Manual 1963 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive​

Western Electric Tube Manual 1963
archive.org

Sylvania

Vacuum Tube Manual: Sylvania 1959 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive​

Vacuum Tube Manual: Sylvania 1959
archive.org

I have a 1942 RCA manual which is pretty cool...

But remember (especially power tubes) the manufacturers changed the design and specifications, so the manual may not match the tube.

The design of EL34 has been changed at least 3 times since the 60s.

 

[gball]

I have the 1962 edition of the RTM. Its been very useful over the decades.

 

[rolandson]

Added Mullard to the mix...

I have a 1942 RCA manual which is pretty cool...

But remember (especially power tubes) the manufacturers changed the design and specifications, so the manual may not match the tube.

The design of EL34 has been changed at least 3 times since the 60s.

Indeed!
This is why, boys and girls, the wise technician confirms every minor bit of minutiae before flipping the switch.

Please make a note of it!

 

[GrumpySquatch]

I recall a TV repair guy making a visit to revive the B&W set we had. Mid-late 60s iirc. I watched him, fascinated.