12AV5

Beam Tetrode — Octal

Known Equivalents & Substitutes

12AV5GA

Similar Tubes (Not Drop-In Compatible)

6AV5GA

Identical beam power tube except 6.3V/0.6A heater instead of 12.6V/0.3A — same plate and screen ratings

6BQ6

Similar horizontal deflection beam power tube on Octal base with 6.3V heater, comparable sweep service ratings

Electrical Specifications

Absolute Maximum

Anode Voltage (max)Max Plate Voltage (DC supply)175V

Peak Anode Voltage (max)Max Peak Plate Voltage5,500V

Screen Voltage (max)Max Screen Voltage175V

Anode Dissipation (max)Max Plate Dissipation12W

Screen Dissipation (max)Max Screen Dissipation2.5W

Cathode Current (max)Max Average Cathode Current210mA

Heater-to-Cathode Voltage (max)Max Heater-Cathode Voltage200V

Typical Operating

Anode Voltage (typical)Plate Supply Voltage (typical)135V

Screen Voltage (typical)Screen Voltage (typical)135V

Grid 1 Bias VoltageGrid Voltage (typical)-28V

Anode CurrentPlate Current (zero signal)68mA

Screen CurrentScreen Current (zero signal)

Heater

Heater VoltageHeater Voltage12.6V

Heater CurrentHeater Current0.3A

Notes

TDSL lists 17AV5GA, 25AV5GA, 25AV5GT, 6AV5GA, and 6AV5GT as different-filament-voltage variants.
The 12AV5GA is the later designation with improved glass envelope (GA suffix).
Designed specifically for TV horizontal deflection — not a general-purpose audio beam tetrode. The high peak anode voltage rating (5500V) is critical for flyback pulse handling.
Typical operating conditions as horizontal deflection amplifier: Va=135V (B+ supply), peak cathode current up to 210 mA.
Grid #1 is brought out to a top cap (pin TC) on most versions for reduced capacitance in sweep circuits.

Pin Layout — Octal

1No Connection

2Heater

3Plate

4

Socket-Compatible Tubes ⚠ Not electrically compatible

References