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Consequences of an imbalance between the two sides of a 5U4G rectifier Part II

Posted by Alpha Al (P) on July 6, 2008 at 15:32:16

This is a follow-up of a thread started by Rick R on 7-5-08. (see seven threads below)

It seems only natural to me that a rectifier tube should have balanced plates for the cleanest output waveform with lowest noise and ripple.

One thing I have never understood, though: Why are the English settings on a Hickok tester different for the two plates?

With a 5U4, for example, the English setting for plate #2 (the 0400 setting), is 30, whereas on plate # 1 (the 0600 setting),the English setting is 35. This seems to hold true on all filamentary rectifiers, including 5U4, 5AS4, 5V3, 5Y3, etc. All rectifiers with a cathode (5AR4/GZ34, 5V4, etc.) have the same English setting for both plates.

The one exception seems to be the 5R4, which has no cathode, yet both plates have the same English setting.

I asked this question years ago on this forum. Even Hickok guru Chris Haedt (may he rest in peace)did not know the answer.

Can anyone share some insight?

Thanks in advance! Al

Edits: 07/06/08

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