Design And Implementation Of Valve Tester

Computer Engineering | Computer Science | Electrical Electronics Engineering

A Valve Tester refers to a specialized electronic device designed for evaluating and diagnosing vacuum tubes, also known as valves, commonly used in electronic circuits. This apparatus encompasses a range of functions aimed at assessing the performance and characteristics of these tubes, including but not limited to testing for continuity, emission, transconductance, and leakage. Its design typically integrates various components such as voltage sources, signal generators, measurement circuits, and display interfaces, all orchestrated to provide accurate and comprehensive analyses of tube behavior. The implementation involves meticulous engineering of both hardware and software components, ensuring precision, reliability, and user-friendly operation. Key considerations in the design process encompass compatibility with diverse tube types, robustness against variations in tube specifications, and provision of intuitive feedback to users. The successful realization of a Valve Tester necessitates a synergistic blend of electronic design principles, measurement techniques, and user interface ergonomics, culminating in a versatile tool indispensable for enthusiasts, technicians, and electronic hobbyists alike.

ABSTRACT

This work is on a building a simple valve tester using discrete components such as transistors and diodes. The main aim of having tube tester on hand is to make sure that all valves are working properly. The tester was built with a 30V 2A transformer. It drives a 4X or 6X voltage multiplier via a “HI/LO” switch to generate 90, 125, 180 and 250 volts for supplying the test voltages for the valve under test. The HI/LO switch feeds the voltage multiplier from either the full 30V from the transformer or from the 15V tap to halve the output voltages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

OVERVIEW OF TUBE TESTERS
TYPES OF VALVE TESTER
REVIEW OF VACUUM TUBE
CLASSIFICATIONS OF VACUUM TUBES
FAILURE MODES OF VACUUM TUBE

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
CIRCUIT PARTS

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 TEST AND RESULT ANALYSIS

CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE AND TESTING ANALYSIS
ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS
TESTING OF SYSTEM OPERATION
RESULT

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A vacuum tube which is also known as a valve or tube is defined as a device that controls electric current flow in a high vacuum between electrodes to which an electric potential difference has been applied.

The type known as a thermionic tube or thermionic valve utilizes thermionic emission of electrons from a hot cathode for fundamental electronic functions such as signal amplification and current rectification. Non-thermionic types such as a vacuum phototube, however, achieve electron emission through the photoelectric effect, and are used for such purposes as the detection of light intensities. In both types, the electrons are accelerated from the cathode to the anode by the electric field in the tube.

A tube tester is an electronic instrument designed to test certain characteristics of vacuum tubes (thermionic valves). Tube testers evolved along with the vacuum tube to satisfy the demands of the time, and their evolution ended with the tube era. The first tube testers were simple units designed for specific tubes to be used in the battlefields of World War I by radio operators, so they could easily test the tubes of their communication equipment.

1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

A valve tester is nothing more than a set of adjustable calibrated power supplies, a meter to measure to current and a set of sockets into which the valve under test can be inserted which is the main aim of the study. The objectives of the study are:

To build the system prototype
To provide emission readings at the recommended data book operating conditions

Provide mutual conductance readings, directly or indirectly

Test valves for internal shorts

1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study covers building a simple valve tester using discrete components such as transistors and diodes. the tester is quite straightforward with a 30V 2A transformer. It drives a 4X or 6X voltage multiplier via a “HI/LO” switch to generate 90, 125, 180 and 250 volts for supplying the test voltages for the valve under test. The HI/LO switch feeds the voltage multiplier from either the full 30V from the transformer or from the 15V tap to halve the output voltages.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study shall provide a means of understanding how valve works and also how their test can be carried out on different types of valves. To the student involve, this study will provide a technological knowledge on how a simple valve tester can be built.

1.5 APPLICATION OF THE STUDY

This device can be used:

In electronics laboratory
By electronics hobbyist

1.6 PROJECT ORGANISATION

The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work, chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.