What is an octal socket?
The glass envelope of an octal base tube was cemented into a bakelite or plastic base with a hollow post in the center, surrounded by eight metal pins. Octal sockets were used to mount other components, particularly electrolytic capacitor assemblies and electrical relays; octal-mount relays are still common.
What is an octal tube?
An octal tube is a vacuum tube that has an 8-pin base with an 11/16″ diameter keyed locating prong called a spigot in the center. This tube base was introduced by RCA in 1935 for their new line of metal tubes, which they called an “Octal base”. Some common octal tubes are 6V6GT, 6L6GC, EL34, 6550, KT88, 6SL7, and 5AR4.
Are vacuum tubes expensive?
When it comes to cost, preamp tubes cost roughly $30 a pop, and, depending on the amp and wattage, can have up to four installed. On the other hand, power vacuum tubes are more expensive, costing roughly $60 each. A valve amp again can have up to four of them installed if it is a high wattage amp.
When did they stop putting tubes in radios?
All radios produced during the first half of the 20th century were tube radios, since transistors were not invented until 1947 and did not start to replace tubes in radios until 1954. Which means that whether your antique radio is a cathedral or…
What do you do with old vacuum tubes?
Contact the Global Electronics Recycling Network. This group maintains a network of electronic recycling organizations in many countries. Use its website to locate an electronics recycling organization near your home; you can find out the drop-off location and the cost of disposing of your vacuum tubes.
Are old vacuum tubes valuable?
According to many factors such as type, status, and use, old radio tubes’ value range in price from some to hundreds and thousands of dollars. For example, an RCA electron tube costs around $15, while a 101D vintage vacuum tube can take you $400.
How many pins are in an octal base socket?
As the name implies it had eight pins—more than were usually used previously. Octal bases, as defined in IEC 60067, diagram IEC 67-I-5a, have a 45-degree angle between pins, which form a 17.45 mm ( 11⁄16 in) diameter circle around a 7.82 mm ( 5⁄16 in) diameter keyed post (sometimes called a spigot) in the center.
When did RCA come out with the octal base?
In 1935, RCA introduced a new type of tube base for their new metal envelope tubes, which they called an octal base. As the name implies it had eight pins—more than were usually used previously.
How many contacts are in an octal base tube?
Another exception is the European Side Contact series commonly known as P, which instead of using a prong, relied on side contacts at 90 degrees from the tube axis with four to twelve contacts. An octal base tube, Russian 6Π3C, similar to the 6L6.
What are the different types of tube sockets?
Left to right: octal (top and bottom view), loctal, and miniature (top and side view) sockets. An early transistor socket and an integrated circuit socket are included for comparison.
