English Electric Exitron
Ash Small, Mon Nov 30 2015, 09:48PMI recently picked up an English Electric Co Exitron, type AR64.
Found this link:
Says it's a 'Grid-controlled mercury pool rectifier', 22kV, 5A.
Not found out much more about it yet. It has quite a bit of mercury inside.
Can anyone tell me anything about these things?
EDIT: I found a datasheet for it's little brother, the AR63:-
]cv3710.pdf[/file]
Re: English Electric Exitron
Hazmatt_(The Underdog), Tue Dec 01 2015, 04:32AM
Its a mercury vapor controlled rectifier, as you already know. There is an "ignition" electrode at the bottom that helps to vaporize some of the puddle of mercury into a conductive vapor. Once there is enough vapor present in the envelope to sustain conduction, there is no need to continue "ignition" as it is sustaining and conducting. When not in use the vapor re-condenses back to liquid mercury.
I think these are also called Ignitrons.
Hazmatt_(The Underdog), Tue Dec 01 2015, 04:32AM
Its a mercury vapor controlled rectifier, as you already know. There is an "ignition" electrode at the bottom that helps to vaporize some of the puddle of mercury into a conductive vapor. Once there is enough vapor present in the envelope to sustain conduction, there is no need to continue "ignition" as it is sustaining and conducting. When not in use the vapor re-condenses back to liquid mercury.
I think these are also called Ignitrons.
Re: English Electric Exitron
Ash Small, Tue Dec 01 2015, 10:37PM
I was told it was an Ignitron, but apparently it's an Excitron
Apparently it's supposed to have a large choke in series with the cathode which acts as an electromagnet, and pulls the starting electrode clear of the mercury pool on startup.
The main difference between the AR64 and AR63, from what I can see, seems to be the prescence of a second grid, presumablt to cope with the higher voltage of the AR64. They both seem to have similar power ratings, though.
I guess I could probably use it with one grid at the ratings and specs for the AR63?
I guess I'd need to test the vacuum, etc. Without the correct data sheet that, and wiring it up correctly, could prove problematic, but I do have the datasheet for the AR63, maybe I could do a bit of extrapolation?
I don't currently have a use for it, though. I also have a smaller, metal cased one, which I was also told was an ignitron, but I've not looked at yet.
Ash Small, Tue Dec 01 2015, 10:37PM
I was told it was an Ignitron, but apparently it's an Excitron
Apparently it's supposed to have a large choke in series with the cathode which acts as an electromagnet, and pulls the starting electrode clear of the mercury pool on startup.
The main difference between the AR64 and AR63, from what I can see, seems to be the prescence of a second grid, presumablt to cope with the higher voltage of the AR64. They both seem to have similar power ratings, though.
I guess I could probably use it with one grid at the ratings and specs for the AR63?
I guess I'd need to test the vacuum, etc. Without the correct data sheet that, and wiring it up correctly, could prove problematic, but I do have the datasheet for the AR63, maybe I could do a bit of extrapolation?
I don't currently have a use for it, though. I also have a smaller, metal cased one, which I was also told was an ignitron, but I've not looked at yet.
Re: English Electric Exitron
Newton Brawn, Sat Dec 12 2015, 03:10AM
People that like magnetic gun will love such stuff...
Newton Brawn, Sat Dec 12 2015, 03:10AM
People that like magnetic gun will love such stuff...
Re: English Electric Exitron
paris, Mon Dec 14 2015, 07:38PM
....smaller metal cased one = radiation ?
paris, Mon Dec 14 2015, 07:38PM
....smaller metal cased one = radiation ?
Print this page