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Nixie ·Nixie

5870L

Ultra-long-life cold-cathode Nixie indicator displaying digits 0–9 and two decimal points for direct electronic numerical readout.

Directly heatedCold cathodeCommon cathodeDissimilar
Sections
1
Base
-
Socket code
SK207
Base pins
-
Nominal heater
-

Description

5870L is an ultra-long-life cold-cathode Nixie numeral indicator for DC or pulsed operation. It displays digits 0–9 and two decimal points. The 5870 family shares identical electrical characteristics, including a 170 V minimum DC anode supply, up to 12 mA peak digit current, 60–120 V cathode pre-bias, and approximately 280 cd/m² luminance under typical conditions.

Socket description

SK-207 / RTS-44 14-contact Nixie socket family

General specifications

Tube and section characteristics

Properties common to every published source and operating point.

Heater and base

Base
-
Socket code
SK207
Base pins
-
Nominal heater voltage
-
Nominal heater current
-
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

Nixie

X-ray radiationInterelectrode capacitances
Max plate voltage
170 V
Max cathode current
12 mA

Cold-cathode display section; five 5870 variants have identical electrical characteristics.

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

196X Nixie ITT

Published operating points and test conditions from this source.

SECTION 1

Nixie

Other

  • Anode Supply Voltage Minimum

    170 V

    DC

  • Digit Peak Cathode Current Maximum

    12 mA

    Pulsed operation

  • Decimal Point Peak Cathode Current Maximum

    0.9 mA

    Pulsed operation

  • Digit Average Cathode Current Minimum

    2.5 mA

    Published datasheet value

  • Digit Average Cathode Current Maximum

    4 mA

    Published datasheet value

  • Decimal Point Average Cathode Current Minimum

    0.1 mA

    Published datasheet value

  • Decimal Point Average Cathode Current Maximum

    0.3 mA

    Published datasheet value

  • Cathode Pre-bias Voltage Minimum

    60 V

    Off cathodes

  • Cathode Pre-bias Voltage Maximum

    120 V

    Off cathodes

  • Operating Temperature Minimum

    -20 degC

    Published datasheet value

  • Operating Temperature Maximum

    70 degC

    Published datasheet value

  • Storage Temperature Minimum

    -55 degC

    Published datasheet value

  • Storage Temperature Maximum

    80 degC

    Published datasheet value

  • Maximum Altitude

    21400 m

    Published datasheet value

  • Typical Anode Supply Voltage

    170 V

    Published datasheet value

  • Typical Anode Current Limiting Resistor

    7.5 kOhm

    At 170 V supply

  • Typical Digit Cathode Current

    3 mA

    Decimal point off

  • Typical Decimal Point Current

    0.2 mA

    Published datasheet value

  • Typical Decimal Point Cathode Resistor

    150 kOhm

    At 170 V supply

  • Typical Cathode Pre-bias Voltage

    67 V

    Published datasheet value

Characteristic

  • Maintaining Voltage Minimum

    136 V

    Cathode current 2.5 mA, decimal point on

  • Maintaining Voltage Maximum

    167 V

    Cathode current 2.5 mA, decimal point on

  • Maintaining Voltage Nominal

    145 V

    Cathode current 3.0 mA, decimal point on

  • Approximate Luminance

    280 cd/m2

    Typical operation