16KP4 — Rectangular Cathode Ray Picture Tube
The 16KP4 and 16KP4A are direct-view rectangular glass picture tubes designed for use in television receiver applications. These tubes are identical in their electrical, mechanical, and optical specifications, with the sole exception of the screen construction: the 16KP4A features an aluminized screen, whereas the standard 16KP4 does not.
Both types utilize magnetic focusing and deflection, an external single-field ion trap, a grey filter faceplate, and an external conductive bulb coating. They provide a nominal raster size of 13 1/2 inches by 10 1/8 inches.
Mechanical Specifications and Physical Dimensions
The 16KP4 and 16KP4A are constructed using rectangular glass bulbs. The physical dimensions and alignment tolerances are tightly controlled to ensure proper mounting and deflection yoke positioning:
- Overall Length: 18 3/4 ± 3/8 inches
- Greatest Bulb Dimensions:
- Diagonal: 16 1/8 ± 1/8 inches
- Width: 14 3/4 ± 1/8 inches
- Height: 11 1/2 ± 1/8 inches
- Minimum Useful Screen Dimensions:
- Diagonal: 14 7/8 inches
- Width: 13 1/2 inches
- Height: 10 1/8 inches
- Bulb Contact: Recessed small cavity cap (J1-21)
- Base: Small shell duodecal 5-pin base (BS-57)
- Basing Designation: 12N
- Anode Contact Alignment: The J1-21 recessed cavity cap aligns with pin position #6 within a tolerance of ± 30 degrees.
Electrical Design, Heater, and Pin Connections
The tube incorporates an indirectly heated, unipotential coated cathode. The heater is designed for standard television receiver series or parallel supply configurations.
Heater Ratings
Pinout Configuration (12N Basing)
The electrical connections are made through the 5-pin duodecal base and the recessed bulb contact cap. The pin assignments, viewed from the bottom of the base, are as follows:
- Pin 1: Heater
- Pin 2: Grid No. 1 (Control Grid)
- Pin 10: Grid No. 2 (Screen Grid)
- Pin 11: Cathode
- Pin 12: Heater
- Anode Cap: Grid No. 3 / Anode
Optical and Screen Characteristics
The screen of the 16KP4 and 16KP4A utilizes a sulfide-type phosphor designated as Phosphor No. 4. It is designed to provide a clear, high-contrast black-and-white television picture.
- Fluorescent Color: White
- Phosphorescent Color: White
- Persistence: Short
- Faceplate Light Transmission: Approximately 72% at the center of the grey filter faceplate.
Electrostatic and Electromagnetic Characteristics
The 16KP4 and 16KP4A rely on external magnetic fields for both focusing the electron beam and deflecting it across the screen area.
- Focusing Method: Magnetic
- Deflecting Method: Magnetic
- Deflection Angles (Approximate):
- Horizontal: 66 degrees
- Diagonal: 70 degrees
- Direct Interelectrode Capacitances (Approximate):
- Cathode to all other electrodes: 5 µµF (pF)
- Grid No. 1 to all other electrodes: 6 µµF (pF)
- External conductive coating to Anode (Maximum): 1,500 µµF (pF)
- External conductive coating to Anode (Minimum): 750 µµF (pF)
The external conductive coating acts as a capacitor in conjunction with the internal anode coating, which assists in high-voltage ripple filtering when connected to the receiver's chassis ground.
Maximum Ratings (Design Center Values)
The following maximum ratings represent the limits within which the 16KP4 and 16KP4A must be operated to ensure reliable performance and longevity.
Safety and Circuit Constraints
- X-Ray Radiation Shielding: If the tube is operated at voltages in excess of 16,000 volts, x-ray radiation shielding may be necessary to avert possible danger of injury from prolonged exposure at close range.
- Heater-Cathode Return: The cathode should be returned to one side or to the mid-tap of the heater transformer winding.
- Grid No. 1 Circuit Resistance: The maximum grid No. 1 circuit resistance must not exceed 1.5 Megohms.
Typical Operating Conditions and Characteristics
Under typical operating conditions in a television receiver, the tube is set up with the following electrical parameters:
- DC Anode and Grid No. 3 Voltage: 12,000 V
- DC Grid No. 2 Voltage: 300 V
- DC Grid No. 1 Voltage (for visual extinction of undeflected focused spot): -33 V to -77 V
- DC Focusing Coil Current (Approximate): 90 ± 20% mA
- DC Ion Trap Current (Approximate): 75 ± 50% mA (using standard coil #111)
Focusing and Ion Trap Alignment Details
The typical focusing coil current of 90 mA is specified for a standard focus coil #109 (or equivalent), under the condition that the combined Grid No. 1 bias voltage and video signal voltage are adjusted to produce a highlight brightness of 35 foot-lamberts on a 10 1/8-inch by 13 1/2-inch picture size. The physical distance from the reference line to the center of the air gap on the focus coil must be maintained at 3.0 inches.
An external single-field ion trap magnet must be positioned on the neck of the tube in the designated space (which must be kept clear of other components) to prevent ion burn on the phosphor screen.