Tube sockets in Eagle?

[Nisbeth]

Hello!

Does anyone have a library of common PCB-mount tube sockets for Eagle? The "Tubes"-library that's available from Cadsoft's website does not include the tube sockets but only the tube footprints, which means the sockets will not fit on the board


/U.

[tubelab.com]

I have used the 8 pin octal socket from that library on my latest SEamp PC board. It was either 5AR4 or GZ34, I don't remember which. I have built over a dozen of the boards, and the generic Chinese ceramic sockets fit just fine. I have not tried the 9 pin socket yet.

[Nisbeth]

Thanks for the reply. I'm also fiddling with an octal tube right now (6J5) but I think the footprint looks much to small for the sockets I can find. Could you post a link to the sockets you've used and maybe also upload your version of the library so I can check it against mine

Thanks in advance!


/U.

[BenY]

You could draw the part yourself...

[tubelab.com]

Since I am currently at work, I don't have access to Eagle. The library I used was downloaded from the Cadsoftusa site. Since all of the documentation is in German, I believe it is the same library that is on the German site. I have used sockets from various tube distributors in the USA. Antique Electronics ( www.tubesandmore.com) and Triode electronics have them. I have also used the Gold plated ones from ESRC. ESRC does not have a web site, just search for the seller ESRC on Ebay. You want the PC board sockets, not the chassis mount ones. The pin spacing is only slightly larger than the tubes themselves.

[Danko]

try this: http://www.desmith.net/NMdS/Electronics/soculator.html

[tubelab.com]

Ok, I have been asked about this in a couple of threads, so here it is. This is the actual library that I use on my vacuum tube boards.

The 5AR4, 45, and 5842 parts as well as the resistors, caps, and regulator IC, are the ones used on the TubelabSE board. The 5AR4 part was modified from the library that I downloaded from Eagle. The pads and holes have been enlarged for ease of assembly. The other parts I created myself. Since there is no PC board socket available for the 4 pin tubes (45, 300B) I created a part for the chassis mount socket. Pictures will be posted in a seperate reply.

The 6FQ7 and 12AX7 parts are the ones used on the 300Beast board. These parts are about 5 years old and are updated from an older version of Eagle.

The 6U8 part is even older and was used in a KT-88 amp.

These library parts are a work in progress, they have evolved over time, and will continue to evolve. I know that they will be of use to Tubeheads that use Eagle, however, I make no guarantees. Use at your own risk

[tubelab.com]

Here is a picture of the TubalabSE PC board that was created using this library. All of the PC board solder pads are oversized (where possible) so that this board can be assembled by inexperienced people.

[tubelab.com]

This is a picture of the actual octal sockets used on this board. I have purchased these from all of the vendors mentioned in my previous post.

I hope this helps. You can use these parts as is, or you can modify them. If you need a different tube, use one of these parts, and draw a new symbol for it. A will get around to doing a 7 pin sometime, but I don't know when.

[tubelab.com]

Here is a picture of the tubelabSE in operation.