Skip to main content
Tube Tinker — Electron Tube Database
Alternatives & variationsDownload PDF datasheet

Specialized - Thyratron ·Triode

NL5559

Indirectly heated mercury-filled thyratron designed for applications where little grid power is available, providing dependable high-current industrial switching and controlled conduction.

Directly heatedCold cathodeCommon cathodeDissimilarSpecialized
Sections
1
Base
DOWN
Socket code
-
Base pins
-
Nominal heater
5 V / 4.5 A

Description

NATIONAL POWER TUBE NL-5559/FG57 is an =ndirectly heated cathode thyratron designed especially for those applications where little grid power is available. The mercury tilling and efficient cathode give long and dependable life. NATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC. GENEVA, ILLINOIS, U. S. A. NL-5559/FG-57 THYRATRON TUBE TECHNICAL INFORMATION do Amperes output (maximum) 2.5 Instantaneous Amperes output (maximum) 15 Maximum time of averaging anode current (seconds) 15 Maximum peak inverse volts 1000 Maximum peak

General specifications

Tube and section characteristics

Properties common to every published source and operating point.

Heater and base

Base
DOWN
Socket code
-
Base pins
-
Nominal heater voltage
5 V
Nominal heater current
4.5 A
Parallel heater voltage
-
Parallel heater current
-
Series capable
No

DOWN - 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

Triode

X-ray radiationInterelectrode capacitances
Max plate voltage
1000 V
Max cathode current
2.5 A
Rectifier peak inverse voltage
1000 V
Rectifier nominal output current
2.5 A
Rectifier peak forward current
15 A
Rectifier warm-up time
300 s

Thyratron section; published switching/rating data retained below.

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

1956 National Electronics Industrial Tubes

Published operating points and test conditions from this source.

SECTION 1

Triode

Other

  • 2.5 Amperes do

    15 Amperes Peak A

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • do Amperes output (maximum)

    2.5 A

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Instantaneous Amperes output (maximum)

    15 A

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Maximum time of averaging anode current (seconds)

    15 A

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Maximum peak inverse volts

    1000 V

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Maximum peak forward volts

    1000 V

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Filament volts

    5.0 ± .25 V

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Filament amperes

    4.5 ± .4 A

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Cathode heating time (seconds)

    300 s

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Maximum negative grid voltage before conduction (volts)

    500 V

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Maximum negative grid voltage during conduction (volts)

    10 V

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Maximum grid current (amperes)

    250 mA

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Maximum critical grid current (microamperes)

    10 A

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Maximum ac short circuit current (amperes)

    200 A

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Condensed mercury temperature limits (°C)

    + 40 to + 80 C

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Approximate temperature rise, cond. mercury above ambient (°C)

    30 C

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Net weight (ounces)

    5 oz

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Approx. shipping weight (lbs.)

    4 lb

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • CAP CI

    -5

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • I

    600

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • RETURN

    -I6 | -12 | -4 | 0 | +4 | +6

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

Characteristic

  • Typical arc drop at 10 amperes peak (volts)

    12 V

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Ionization time (approx., microseconds)

    10 us

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Deionization time (approx., microseconds)

    1000 us

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Anode to grid capacitance (uuf)

    2.5 pF

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

  • Cathode to grid capacitance (uuf)

    10 pF

    Source technical-information table; wording preserved from datasheet.

Data set 02

1957 National Electronics

Published operating points and test conditions from this source.

SECTION 1

Triode

Other

  • Maximum peak forward voltage

    1000 V

  • Maximum peak output current

    15 A

  • Maximum dc output current

    2.5 A

Characteristics

  • Ionization time

    10 us

  • Deionization time

    1000 us