Same UX4 base, same 5V filament voltage, high-vacuum type — much higher voltage drop (60V vs 15V) but no warm-up sequence required and longer life
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
DC Output Current (max)DC Output Current (max)225mA
Heater
Heater VoltageFilament Voltage5V
Heater CurrentFilament Current3A
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 similar ratings but higher voltage drop (~25V) and without the warm-up requirement.
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