Western electric 446 a brochure

Page 1

BELL SYSTEM PRACTICES SECTION AB46.446A
Transmission Engineering and Data Issue 1, June 1963
Electron Tube Data A.T.& T.Co., Standard

99.

ELECTRON TUBE DATA SHEET
WESTERN ELECTRIC 446A ELECTRON TUBE

DESCRIPTION

The 446A is a three-electrode inert-gas filled cold cathode tube designed for
use as a voltage regulator and has characteristics which are exceptionally stable
with life. The third electrode is primarily a starting element.

CHARACTERISTICS

Cathode Current. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 to 40 milliamperes
Anode Voltage Drop (Em . . . . . . . . 81 volts
Regulation at 5 to 40t milliamperes d- 0 (Note 6) . . . . . . . . i1.5 volts

File: Cold Cathode Section

(C) American Telephone and Telegraph Company 1963

446A

Page 2

446A~PAGE2

RATINGS, Absolute System (Note n

Cathode Current, Forward

Max1mum.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 milliamperes
Minimum . - - - - - - - - - - . - - - - - 5 milliamperes
Starter Current, Forward

Maximum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 milliamperes
Minimum (Note 2) . . . . . . . - . . . 0.5 milliampere
Maximum Inverse Starter or Anode Current - - . . - . . . 0.0 milliampere
Ambient Temperature Limits . . . . . - . . - - . . - . -55 to +85 centigrade

ELECTRICAL DATA
Min. Bogey Max.

Anode Breakdown Voltage. . . . . - 108 - volts
Anode Voltage Drop(Etd)at 40 Milliamperes (D- C) (Note 3)80 81. 2 82.5 volts
Regulation (5 to 40 Milliamperes, D- -C)(Notes 4 & 6) - . - 0.1 :1.0 volts
Starter Breakdown Voltage. . . . . . . . 90 95 105 VOItS
Starter Voltage Drop at 5 Milliamperes, (D-C). . . . 81 83 86 volts
Transfer Current at 90 volts Anode Voltage. . . . . - 10 50 microamperes
LIFE DATA

Starter Breakdown Voltage (Max.) after 500 hours at 40 mAdc- - - . - - 110 volts
Regulation (5 to 40 mAdc) after 500 hours at 40 mAdC(Note 6L . . . 1.5 volts max.

Drift in Anode Voltage Drop (Etd) in 500 hours at 40 mAdc(Note 5) . +0.8 Volts max.

MECHANICAL DATA

Mounting Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Any
Net Weight, Approximate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 Ounce
Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Small Button 9 pin
Bulb . . . . . T 6%

Dimensions and 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.