Single half-wave damper diode with higher PIV (4400V) but only one section — 6BY5 has two independent diode units
Electrical Specifications
Absolute Maximum
Heater-to-Cathode Voltage (max)Heater-Cathode Voltage (max, heater negative)450V
Rectifier
Peak Inverse VoltagePeak Inverse Plate Voltage (damper service)3,000V
Voltage Drop (typical)Voltage Drop (estimated from reference table)32V
DC Output Current (max)DC Plate Current (max)175mA
Peak Anode Current (surge)Peak Plate Current525mA
Absolute Maximum
Heater-to-Cathode Voltage (max)Heater-Cathode Voltage (max, heater negative)450V
Rectifier
Peak Inverse VoltagePeak Inverse Plate Voltage (damper service)3,000V
Voltage Drop (typical)Voltage Drop (estimated from reference table)32V
DC Output Current (max)DC Plate Current (max)175mA
Heater
Heater VoltageHeater Voltage6.3V
Heater CurrentHeater Current1.6A
Notes
Base is Medium-Shell Octal 7-Pin (JETEC B7-12) or Short-Medium-Shell Octal 7-Pin with External Barriers (JETEC B7-119), basing designation 6CN. This is a 7-pin variant of the octal base, not a standard 8-pin Octal or Compactron.
Pin 3 is a No Connection — socket terminal No. 3 should not be used as a tie point.
Contains two independent diode units: Unit No. 1 (cathode pin 8, plate pin 5) and Unit No. 2 (cathode pin 1, plate pin 4). Each unit has its own cathode.
Maximum ratings per the RCA datasheet are for each unit independently in damper service: PIV 3000V (absolute maximum), peak plate current 525mA, DC plate current 175mA.
As a full-wave rectifier, PIV drops to 1400V per TDSL, with typical operation at 375-0-375V RMS and 175mA DC output.
Maximum heater-cathode voltage: 450V (heater negative), 100V (heater positive).
6BY5GA is the improved version of the 6BY5G — Sams substitution guide lists them as interchangeable. TDSL lists 6BY5G as a different-rating substitute.
Rectifier reference table confirms: Vdrop 32V, max DC 175mA, max AC 375V, 6.3V/1.6A heater.
GE Essential Characteristics classifies both 6BY5-G and 6BY5-GA as 'Full-Wave High-Vacuum Rectifier' for 'Full-Wave Rectifier, TV Damper Service'.