Voltage Reference vs. Voltage Regulator Tubes

Posted by mark on May 3, 2002 at 09:29:20

In Reply to: Voltage reference tubes, any good ? posted by Michael Appelt on May 2, 2002 at 13:03:14:

I believe we have a bit of confusion here. There's a very real difference between a voltage reference tube and a voltage regulator tube. The reference tube is intended for use only as a voltage reference and does best when very low current flows through it. The tube manuals specify the exact current where it performs best. For example a 5651's nominal current spec 2.5 mA.

It's been my experience that voltage reference tubes generate a good amount of wideband noise too. Their noise can be filtered, much like we filter the noise produced by zener diodes. As a reference, they are not as accurate as zener diodes in my experience. When they turn on, they don't always go back to the exact same voltage. A few percent variance is normal. In our application, this is of no concern. The biggest problem is that there are no 47 or 94 volt tube voltage references!

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Voltage reference tubes, any good ? - Michael Appelt 13:03:14 05/02/02 (16)

Voltage Reference vs. Voltage Regulator Tubes - mark 09:29:20 05/03/02 (2)

VR-tubes, ignition peak - Michael Appelt 12:42:19 05/03/02 (1)

Re: VR-tubes, ignition peak - mark 12:58:07 05/03/02 (0)

Re: Voltage reference tubes, any good ? - Al Sekela 19:23:32 05/02/02 (12)

Emotive Audio pre-amps - Lew 08:53:34 05/03/02 (10)

Re: Emotive Audio pre-amps - Al Sekela 20:49:35 05/03/02 (9)

Re: Emotive Audio pre-amps - Al Sekela 10:51:28 05/04/02 (8)

I love my MP1 more, but... - Lew 07:03:43 05/06/02 (7)

"Voltage Reference" -vs- "Voltage Regulation" - Paul Speltz 13:58:39 05/06/02 (6)

Yes,.. - Lew 07:31:06 05/07/02 (4)

Re: Yes,.. - Al Sekela 09:40:51 05/07/02 (3)

Re: Yes,.. - R. Robb 16:44:01 05/07/02 (1)

Re: Yes,.. - Al Sekela 06:49:00 05/09/02 (0)

Sorry, Al.. - Lew 09:57:08 05/07/02 (0)

Re: "Voltage Reference" -vs- "Voltage Regulation" - Al Sekela 19:14:17 05/06/02 (0)

I 'll use zeners...... - Michael Appelt 23:41:42 05/02/02 (0)

Follow Ups

Voltage Reference vs. Voltage Regulator Tubes - mark 09:29:20 05/03/02 (2)

VR-tubes, ignition peak - Michael Appelt 12:42:19 05/03/02 (1)

Re: VR-tubes, ignition peak - mark 12:58:07 05/03/02 (0)

You can not post to an archived thread.