12SC7

Small Signal Triode — Octal

Known Equivalents & Substitutes

CV540VT268

Similar Tubes (Not Drop-In Compatible)

Electrically identical but 6.3V/0.3A heater — not a drop-in in 12.6V series heater circuits

6SL7GT

Similar high-mu twin triode successor but sections have separate cathodes — different circuit topology

Electrical Specifications

Absolute Maximum

Anode Voltage (max)Max Plate Voltage250V

Heater-to-Cathode Voltage (max)Max Heater-Cathode Voltage90V

Max Grid ResistorMax Grid Resistor0.5MΩ

Typical Operating

Anode Voltage (typical)Plate Voltage250V

Grid 1 Bias VoltageGrid Voltage-2V

Anode CurrentPlate Current2mA

Anode ResistancePlate Resistance53,000Ω

TransconductanceTransconductance

Capacitances

Grid-to-Plate CapacitanceGrid-to-Plate Capacitance2pF

Input CapacitanceInput Capacitance2pF

Output CapacitanceOutput Capacitance3pF

Heater

Heater VoltageHeater Voltage12.6V

Heater CurrentHeater Current0.15A

Notes

12.6V heater version of the 6SC7. Heater current is 0.15A at 12.6V (vs 0.3A at 6.3V for the 6SC7).
GE Essential Characteristics confirms: 12.6V/0.15A heater, Octal (8S) base, high-mu twin triode, Va_max=250V, ra=53000 ohms, gm=1325 umhos, mu=70.
Both triode sections share a common cathode (pin 6). This makes the 12SC7 particularly suited for phase-inverter service.
Pin 1 (shell) is internally connected to pin 6 (cathode) on the metal-envelope version.
Brans Vademecum lists CV540 and VT268 as equivalents.

Pin Layout — Octal

1Shell (internally connected to Cathode)

2Plate 2 (Triode section 2)

3Grid 2 (Triode section 2)

Socket-Compatible Tubes ⚠ Not electrically compatible

References