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AC/HL

Sensibly equivalent to:
354V 41MHL A30D AR17 CV399 CV1037 CV2811 D4 HL4 MH4 MHL4 NR31 VR37
See also:
Shortpath Construction - 1931: The New Mains Valves - 1929 Advert - Valves for Superhets - Adding AVC to the Monodial Super - Parmeko 25-Watt Amplifier Kit
    
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The AC/HL indirectly heated amplifier triode makes use of the 'Shortpath' technique construction. The cathode assembly passes through the far end of an oval grid. The grid is fixed only at the outer end to a stout single rod. The anode is a thin sheet and is open at the front of the grid support. The channel formed by the anode sheet encloses the cathode and the far end of the grid.
This valve type, manufactured in the early 1930s and sold under the Mazda label, is the direct successor of the Landmark Cosmos AC/G of 1927/28.
The AC/G (high μ) and its companion the AC/R (lower μ) were the first technically successful indirectly-heated valves to achieve production status anywhere in the world, although many British and US firms had previously introduced less-than-satisfactory indirectly-heated types in small quantities. The heater rating (4 V @ 1 A) and the alumina-based heater/cathode insulation (initially in the form of clay slip) immediately became industry standards.
The AC/HL was a very long-lived valve. Many originals survive in working order and during the late 1960s it was claimed that a specimen removed from obsolete BBC studio equipment still met the original specification for a new valve after over 250,000 hours in service! Note that the Type No. AC/HL was also used by other brands of valve, including Lissen.
The oblique stroke is sometimes omitted in listings (ACHL instead of AC/HL).
The side view with the getter carrier on the right.
The dome carries the etched identification.
The open anode flanges with the grid support in the foreground. The cathode tube is behind and can just be seen on the left.
The view above the pinch. The grid support is on the right with the indirectly heated cathode tube on the left. The insulated heater is easily seen.
A wider view showing the grid winding.
The lower mica. The shape of the anode cavity can be seen as can the way it is attached to supports both front and back.
The balloon envelope is 56 mm in diameter and, excluding the B5 base pins, is 108 mm tall.
References: Private communication, data-sheet & 1043. Type AC/HL was first introduced in 1929. See also 1929 adverts.

 

Pin Connections
B5
1
2
3
4
5
a
g1
h
h
k

 

Absolute Maximum Operating Conditions
Triode
Vh
Ah
Va
Vg
mAa
ra
gm
4.0
1.0
200
-2.75
6
10,000
3.5
PDF scanned from an original document held by the museum
Updated August 09, 2022.
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