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Specialized - Thyratron ·Thyratron

256A

Argon-filled heater-cathode thyratron for controlled switching, with millisecond-class deionization and moderate-current operation.

Directly heatedCold cathodeCommon cathodeDissimilarSpecialized
Sections
1
Base
-
Socket code
UX4
Base pins
5
Nominal heater
2.3 V / 1.7 A

Description

Argon-filled heater-cathode thyratron for controlled switching, with 75 mA instantaneous/average anode-current ratings and 1 ms nominal deionization time.

Socket description

Medium-shell UX 4-contact

General specifications

Tube and section characteristics

Properties common to every published source and operating point.

Heater and base

Base
-
Socket code
UX4
Base pins
5
Nominal heater voltage
2.3 V
Nominal heater current
1.7 A
Parallel heater voltage
-
Parallel heater current
-
Series capable
No

Terminal pinout

Electrical assignments shared by every tube using this base designation.

No verified pinout is recorded for this base designation.

Section ratings

1 physical section, each with unique specifications.

Section 1

Thyratron

X-ray radiationInterelectrode capacitances
Max cathode current
75 mA
Rectifier max heater-cathode voltage
12 V
Rectifier warm-up time
60 s

Grid-controlled gas rectifier/thyratron. Conducting drop is published as 10–20 V range; maximum sine-wave space current 75 mA and condenser-discharge current 200 mA.

Source-dependent data

Operating conditions by source

Each block preserves the test conditions and published values from one reference. Values from different sources are intentionally kept separate.

Data set 01

1933 Western Electric Tubes

Published operating points and test conditions from this source.

SECTION 1

Thyratron

Characteristic

  • Anode-cathode conducting drop

    10 V

    Published datasheet value

Other

  • Maximum instantaneous space current

    75 mA

    Published datasheet value

Data set 02

1956 Western Electric Tubes

Published operating points and test conditions from this source.

SECTION 1

Thyratron

Other

  • Heater Voltage

    2.3 V

  • Heater Current

    1.7 A

  • Maximum Instantaneous Anode Current

    75 mA

  • Maximum Average Anode Current

    75 mA

  • Maximum Peak Anode-to-Grid Voltage

    325 V

Characteristic

  • Operating Ambient Temperature Range

    -20 to +50 °C

  • Nominal Deionization Time

    1000 µs

Data set 03

2026 Western Electric 200s

Published operating points and test conditions from this source.

SECTION 1

Thyratron

Characteristic

  • AnodeCathodeVoltageDrop

    10 to 20 V

Other

  • MaximumSpaceCurrent

    75 mA

    SineWave

  • MaximumSpaceCurrent

    200 mA

    CondenserDischarge

  • MaximumAnodeToControlElectrodeVoltage

    325 V

  • Maximum Heater Cathode Voltage

    12 V

  • CathodeWarmupTime

    60 s