6N3

The 6N3 in the Rogers documentation is a high-vacuum single-anode rectifier with an indirectly heated coated unipotential cathode. It is not an amplifier: its function is to turn alternating current into unidirectional current, subsequently filtered for a DC supply. The sheet mainly illustrates two valves in a full-wave rectifier with a centre-tapped transformer. This uses two physical valves, each with its own rectifying system.

The bundle names Rogers Electronic Tubes, Toronto, Canada, as sponsor of registration no. 1699 dated 30 July 1956. The first two pages are dated 22 May 1956 and the curves 27 April 1956. These locate the technical documentation without establishing first commercial introduction. Each valve's heater requires 6.3 V at 0.9 A; any mounting position is allowed. The document identifies bulb T6½, mechanical base E9-1 and RETMA connection 9BM.

Design-center ratings for two valves in a full-wave circuit include peak inverse voltage 850 V, maximum DC output current 360 mA and filter input capacitance up to 60 µF. Maximum peak anode current is 1,100 mA for each valve; heater-cathode voltage is limited to 450 V. The 360 mA is therefore supply output for that configuration, not permission to double it because two 6N3s are used. Individual peak anode current also differs from DC load current.

The application table gives three examples, all with 60 µF input capacitance and 360 mA DC output. A 2 × 300 V RMS transformer and 2 × 110 Ω total effective anode-supply resistance give 268 V DC; 2 × 280 V with 2 × 95 Ω gives 250 V; 2 × 250 V with 2 × 75 Ω gives 225 V. These resistances are circuit conditions, also stated as minima in the ratings table. Transformer secondary voltage is therefore not the loaded DC output voltage.

The supply graph shows DC voltage decreasing as current demand rises, separately for the three transformer and resistance combinations. Another curve plots anode current against forward valve voltage. These answer different questions: one describes complete-circuit regulation, the other conduction of an individual rectifier. No further performance figures are taken from approximate readings of the graphs.

The connection drawing explicitly shows the bottom view: pin 3 cathode, 4 and 5 heater, 9 anode. Pins 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 are not to be connected, not spare wiring supports. Maximum outline diameter is 7/8 inch, or 22.225 mm; maximum height above the pin plane 2 13/16 inches, or 71.4375 mm; maximum overall length 3 1/16 inches, or 77.7875 mm. Metric numbers are exact conversions of inch dimensions, not extra manufacturing precision claimed by the producer.

Documentation consulted: Rogers Electronic Tubes, 6N3, four-page technical bundle associated with registration no. 1699 dated 30 July 1956, data and application conditions dated 22 May 1956 and curves dated 27 April 1956; Precision 660 settings list, 6N3 row, used for identification cross-checking rather than operating limits.