CERBERUS „Arcotron“ BT15 Kaltkatoden-Leistungsschaltröhre
Cold cathode power switching tube filled with an inert gas
Tube relais à cathode froide
Manufactured by • Fabriqué par • Hergestellt von :
Cerberus AG, Bad Ragaz / Männedorf, Switzerland
The Cerberus “Arcotron” tubes were introduced in 1961 for the switching of
continuous currents up to several amps. The principle of operation of these tubes is very similar to that
of the glow thyratrons. Ions are generated in an auxiliary arc discharge which is maintained between the
cathode and a perforated auxiliary anode.
When the grid of an Arcotron is maintained at a suitable negative potential, the electrons which pass
through holes in the auxiliary anode are repelled as they approach the grid. If the negative grid voltage is removed, however,
electrons from the auxiliary discharge pass through the grid and initiate the main discharge.
A number of Arcotron tubes have been produced with different ratings. They may be used for
the control of the amount of heat developed in an electric heating element. Simple circuits operating directly
from the a.c. mains supply have been designed by the manufacturer of the tubes. The Arcotron main gap is connected
in series with the heating element across the mains supply. A conducting tube is automatically extinguished during
the alternate half cycles of the mains supply voltage. One circuit incorporates a compensating system which enables
the power dissipated in the load to remain constant if the mains voltage changes.
One of the disadvantages of the Arcotron is the fairly high value of the potential drop across a
conducting tube (about 20 V) ; this is considerably more than the voltage drop across a silicon controlled rectifier
and the latter is, therefore, a more efficient switch.
(From J. B. Dance, Cold Cathode Tubes, LONDON ILIFFE BOOKS LTD, 1967)
• Das Arcotron, ein Thyratron mit kalter Kathode, in Bauelemente der Regelungs-Automatik
• Arcotron BT 15, in CERBERUS elektronik, Nr. 16, August 1961
Hauteur • Height • Höhe : 95 mm • 3" 3/4
Diamètre • Diameter • Durchmesser : 34 mm • 1" 3/8
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