Introduction
The maximum current measurement capability of etracer is designed to be 300mA. This capability is more than adequate for testing and tracing most of common audio tubes such as 300B, KT88 and 6550. However, it might be desired to have a higher current measurement capability for testing tubes like 6C33C or KT150. This application note describes the modification method needed to increase the current measurement capability to 600mA. Below figure shows a traced curves set with a Telefunken EL156 with a screen voltage of 500V!! under pentode connection. Please note the maximum plate dissipation is set to 100W to allow traces in the high current region.


Traces of a Telefunken EL156 under pentode configuration with a screen voltage of 500V

 

Introducing the Sbox12 automatic wiring box for etracer. The Sbox12 is designed to sit underneath the etracer Model-01 chassis and performs automatic wiring for the users.

essues Technologies is happy to offer free vacuum tube testing service at AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) April 12 - 14, 2019 at Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, ​Schaumburg, IL. Each visitor is entitled to test up to two tubes for free with full plate volt-current curves and test data. Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit our booth: #9208 Expo Hall

 http://www.axpona.com/

 

 

 

The etracer software version 2.xx GUI

Introduction

The GUI (Graphics User Interface) in the etracer software is simple yet effective. The seven tabs below the curves plot area controls the operating mode of the software.

There are three tabs provide three basic modes of measurements: [Quick Scan], [Full Scan] and [Corners]. [Quick-Scan] is designed to perform a quick measurement around a quiescent operating point. This test is similar to the test performed by a tradition tube tester such as Hickok TV-7 with more parameters generated. The [Full Scan] test scans the plate-volt vs. plate-current curves at different grid bias and plot the result. The [Corners] test tests the DUT under extreme voltage conditions.

The [Combo] tab allows the user to compose a combination of three basic test modes and it has the ability to detect an insertion or a removal of a DUT. This mode is useful for testing a tube lot of the same type.

The [H-C Leakage] tab allows user to test the leakage current between the heater and the cathode of a vacuum tube.

The [Basic Params] and the [Load Line] tab allows users to perform real-time analysis of the full-scan data.

  1. Why you need a tube tester that goes up to 750V?
  2. Comments from lab JC
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