Voltage-regulator tube

A Glimmstabilisator or a stabilizer tube ( also smoothing tube ) is a gas-filled tube similar to a neon lamp that was used earlier in tubes fitted with devices for voltage stabilization and for generating reference voltages.

For voltage stabilization with Glimmstabilisatoren the nonlinear current-voltage characteristic is used, which occurs due to the impact ionization and is characterized in that the internal voltage after ignition of the gas discharge is independent of the current flowing within a wide range. As the filling gas, among other neon was used.

Glimmstabilisatoren be connected as cross regulator ( shunt regulator ), as is in the adjacent circuit with the Glimmstabilisator type SR 44. The circuit stabilizes the DC voltage supplied to the left of 310 V to a stabilized output voltage of 85 V.

Glimmstabilisatoren were made ​​for one or for multiple output voltages. They had base similar to those of electron tubes, but also bayonet or screw. They are subject to wear due to the filling gas adsorption and therefore had to be easy to replace.

To avoid the great difference between the ignition and burning voltage, it would require a large voltage drop across the series resistor, Glimmstabilisatoren were also equipped with the ignition electrodes. The continuously operated at a higher voltage of a series resistor, the parallel circuit also allows the ignition electrode of such a stabilizer tube and prevents extinction at different operating voltages.

The semiconductor analogue of the stabilizer tube is the zener diode.

Web Links / References

• Electron tube
• Historical electric appliance