• WARNING: Tube/Valve amplifiers use potentially LETHAL HIGH VOLTAGES.
    Building, troubleshooting and testing of these amplifiers should only be
    performed by someone who is thoroughly familiar with
    the safety precautions around high voltages.

Testing for tube shorts

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How does the "shorts" function of a tube tester work??

Lets say i have a bunch of triodes and no tube tester with a shorts function. How can i set up a testing system???

IE: when a tube shorts. is it generally a direct short that could be measured with a multi meter?? or is it a low impedance situation that shows up with the tube filament is lit and HV is applied??

Lets say i have a test set up where i have a tube in a socket with a filament transformer and a HV Dc supply. How would you test??
 
Hi,

Basically, it's a neon bulb in series with a capacitor, limiting resistor and the tube and AC is applied.

A good tube or tube section will have a diode effect, rectifying the AC to DC, which cannot pass through the capacitor, hence the bulb doesn't light.

A shorted tube or section won't have this diode effect and AC will pass, lighting the bulb.

Cheers!
 
AHHHHH I see....Ok, Any suggestions on the size of the capacitor. I have one specific tube in mind to test that has a 250VDC plate rating. If just use 110v ac line voltage as the test with a neon and resistor rated for line voltage. what size cap should i use???
 
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