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Plate current vs cathode current


mopardave

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Can anyone that knows explain how to measure plate current and cathode current and how to calculate to find proper bias settings for my EL34 amp using 4 output tubes.   Think i have been doing this wrong taking readings off cathode with 10ohm resister and just reading meter and setting bias.   Thanks

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1 hour ago, tube fanatic said:

With pentodes cathode current is a combination of plate current and screen current.  As to proper bias for your amp, the best thing is to set up the tubes per the manufacturer's instructions.  What amp are you talking about, and can you post its schematic?

 

 

Maynard

Audcom 900.  Chinese amp EL34 rated at 30w/ch.   Not sure i have a schematic.   I will post if i do.  I have measured a few things and can say it has 480-485v plate and a 10.2ohm resister on the cathode..   

IMG_0411.JPG.ea0c38bc5bda33474f50e7e461a43d20.JPG

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I had a moment to glance at the schematic and see that the 10 ohm resistor you are referring to is in series with the plate (pin 3), not the cathode which is grounded.  If you measure the voltage across that 10 ohm resistor you can use Ohm's Law to calculate the plate current and plate dissipation based on the plate voltage you measured.  You can also measure across the 200 ohm resistor in series with the screen (pin 4) to calculate screen dissipation which is also very important.  Screen voltage can be measured from pin 4 to ground.  And, you can measure the bias voltage from pin 5 to ground.  With all of that information you can get an idea about operating conditions.  I can try to look at this in more detail if you run into problems.

 

 

Maynard

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3 hours ago, tube fanatic said:

I had a moment to glance at the schematic and see that the 10 ohm resistor you are referring to is in series with the plate (pin 3), not the cathode which is grounded.  If you measure the voltage across that 10 ohm resistor you can use Ohm's Law to calculate the plate current and plate dissipation based on the plate voltage you measured.  You can also measure across the 200 ohm resistor in series with the screen (pin 4) to calculate screen dissipation which is also very important.  Screen voltage can be measured from pin 4 to ground.  And, you can measure the bias voltage from pin 5 to ground.  With all of that information you can get an idea about operating conditions.  I can try to look at this in more detail if you run into problems.

 

 

Maynard

Ok, thanks.  When i get a minute ill remeasure those points.

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18 hours ago, tube fanatic said:

I had a moment to glance at the schematic and see that the 10 ohm resistor you are referring to is in series with the plate (pin 3), not the cathode which is grounded.  If you measure the voltage across that 10 ohm resistor you can use Ohm's Law to calculate the plate current and plate dissipation based on the plate voltage you measured.  You can also measure across the 200 ohm resistor in series with the screen (pin 4) to calculate screen dissipation which is also very important.  Screen voltage can be measured from pin 4 to ground.  And, you can measure the bias voltage from pin 5 to ground.  With all of that information you can get an idea about operating conditions.  I can try to look at this in more detail if you run into problems.

 

 

Maynard

I believe that 10 ohm resister is on pin 8 not 3.  I had some mods performed on this amp so there may be some differences compared to the schematic.

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