High-vacuum version on same UX4 base — different heater current (2A vs 3A), lower max DC output (175 mA vs 225 mA), higher voltage drop (23V vs 15V), indirectly heated. No warm-up required but not a true drop-in equivalent
Electrical Specifications
Absolute Maximum
Anode Voltage (max)AC Voltage per Plate (max RMS)450V
Rectifier
Peak Inverse VoltagePeak Inverse Voltage1,400V
Voltage Drop (typical)Voltage Drop (mercury vapour, constant)15V
Max DC Output Current (total, not per-anode)Max DC Output Current225mA
Notes
Mercury-vapour rectifier — voltage drop is approximately 15V and remains nearly constant regardless of load current, unlike high-vacuum rectifiers whose drop increases with current.
Rectifier reference gives: Vdrop=15V, max DC output=225 mA, max AC voltage=450V RMS.
CRITICAL: Mercury-vapour tubes require a minimum warm-up period of 30-60 seconds before applying B+ voltage. Applying plate voltage to a cold mercury-vapour rectifier will cause cathode stripping and rapid tube failure.
Mercury-vapour rectifiers are temperature-sensitive. Ambient temperature should be maintained above 25C for reliable operation. Below this, mercury condensation can cause arc-back.
The 83V is a high-vacuum version (not mercury) with lower current rating (175 mA vs 225 mA), lower heater current (2A vs 3A), higher voltage drop (~23V vs ~15V), and indirectly heated cathode. No warm-up required but different electrical characteristics — not a true drop-in.
One of the most common mercury-vapour rectifiers used in high-fidelity amplifiers and transmitters of the 1930s-1950s.
Pin Layout — UX4
1Anode 1 (Plate 1)
2Filament
3Anode 2 (Plate 2)
4Filament
Socket-Compatible Tubes ⚠ Not electrically compatible