Western electric 443 a brochure

Page 1

BELL SYSTEM PRACTICES AB46.443A
Transmission Engineering and Data Issue 2, January 1962
Electron Tube Data A.T.& T. Co. Standard

ELECTRON TUBE DATA SHEET
WESTERN ELECTRIC 443A ELECTRON TUBE

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DESCRIPTION

The 443A is a three-electrode inert-gas filled miniature cold cathode tube for
use in relay, voltage regulator or rectifier circuits. This tube is especially
suitable for use in control circuits such as in triggering, counting or switching
apparatus.

This tube is designed for socket mounting. It is identical, electrically and
mechanically, to the 426A except that it is not attached to a plastic angle mounting
bracket.

CHARACTERISTICS

Peak Anode Voltage- . . - ~ - ~ . - - ~ . - - . . 180 volts
Average Cathode Current- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7.5 60 milliamperes
Average Life, Approximate~ - - - . - ~ - - - - - ' 10000 10 hours

File: Cold Cathode Section

© American Telephone and Telegraph Company 1962 443A

Page 2

443A - PAGE 2

MAXIMUM RATINGS, Absolute System (Note D

Forward Peak Anode Voltage - - - . - . ~ - - - - . . . 180 volts
Forward Cathode Current(Note m

Peak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 milliamperes
Average. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3O milliamperes
Averaging Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 seconds
Peak Inverse Current

Anode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 milliamperes
Starter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 milliampere
Ambient Temperature Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -55 to +85 centigrade

ELECTRICAL DATA, Throughout Life
Min. Boeey Max.

Starter Breakdown Voltage. . . . . . 65 72 85 volts
Starter Voltage Drop at 3 Milliamperes (Note a) . . 53 63 72 volts
Anode Voltage Drop at 10 Milliamperes Transfer Current. . . . . . . . . . . See Curve- Fig. 1

Ionization Time Starter Gap note 6).. . . . . . . - 10 - milliseconds
Deionization Time, Main Gap . . . ~ 6 - milliseconds
Inverse Current at -120 Volts Anode Potential(Note 7) - - 3 milliamperes

MECHANICAL DATA

Mounting. . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Any Position
Net Weight . . . . . . . 0.3 Ounce
Dimensions and Pin Connections shown in outline drawing on Page 4.

HANDLING

This tube contains a small amount of krypton-85 gas which is a by-product
radioactive material. The amount of krypton-85 is less than five microcuries, which
is too small an amount to require any special care in use.

Atomic Energy Commission regulations require that the individual tube carton
for tubes containing by-product radioactive material be appropriately marked. The
marking includes the statement that tube disposal should be in approved manner.

Approved instructions for disposal of tubes containing krypton-85 are as
follows;

Tubes to be disposed of should be broken or crushed in a well
ventilated place releasing any resulting vapors to the outside
atmosphere. The residual broken or crushed tubes should be dis-
posed of in a normal public trash disposal system. Tubes should be
disposed of at a rate of not more than 100 each week from any one
location. Avoid breathing vapors from broken tubes.

Note 1: In the "Absolute System the maximum ratings specified are limiting values above which the
serviceability of the device may be impaired from the viewpoint of life and satisfactory
performance. Maximum ratings. as such, do not constitute a set of operating conditions and
all values may not, therefore. be attained simultaneously.

Note 2: Sufficient resistance must be used in series with the tube to assure that the electrode
currents do not exceed the maximum rated values

Note 3: Starter voltage oscillations of approximately 1 to 10 kilocycles and 12 volts peak-to-peak
will be present at starter current values below 0.05 milliampere.

Note 4: Approximately 955; of tubes will be within limits of i 2.8 volts from the bogey value.