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Specialized - Thyratron ·Thyratron

IC21

Cold-cathode glow-discharge gas triode for relay-control service, using grid-controlled breakdown for heaterless switching.

Directly heatedCold cathodeCommon cathodeDissimilarSpecialized
Sections
1
Base
G4V
Socket code
-
Base pins
6
Nominal heater
-

Description

RCA IC21 is a cold-cathode glow-discharge gas triode used as a relay-control tube, with separate grid and anode breakdown characteristics and a 100-mA peak cathode-current rating.

General specifications

Tube and section characteristics

Properties common to every published source and operating point.

Heater and base

Base
G4V
Socket code
-
Base pins
6
Nominal heater voltage
-
Nominal heater current
-
Parallel heater voltage
-
Parallel heater current
-
Series capable
No

G4V - 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
100 mA

Published ratings and characteristics promoted from approved datasheet.

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

1971 RCA HB3 Binder 2 of 7

Published operating points and test conditions from this source.

SECTION 1

Thyratron

Characteristic

  • Peak anode breakdown voltage with grid tied to cathode

    180 to - V

  • Peak positive grid breakdown voltage

    66 to 80 V

  • DC anode extinction voltage

    73 V

  • Grid current for transition to anode

    - to 50 uA

  • Anode voltage drop

    73 V

  • Grid voltage drop

    55 V

Other

  • Peak cathode current

    100 mA

  • DC cathode current

    25 mA

  • DC anode supply voltage

    125 to 145 V

    Typical relay operation

  • Peak positive grid-bias voltage

    66 V

    Typical relay operation

  • Peak grid-signal voltage

    40 to - V

  • Minimum sum of grid-bias and grid-signal voltages

    100 to - V

  • DC grid current

    100 uA