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Initially the U14 and the U12 were the same valve intended to meet all HT requirements up to a maximum of 120 mA at 500V, using a capacitor-input filter. However, some valves performed better than others on final factory test so the best ones were graded and marked U14 whilst the also-rans were marked U12.

This exhibit is of later (1940s) manufacture, note that the anode is made of sheet rather than gauze, indicating greater confidence in the quality of vacuum. The photograph shows that the valve is marked with a white G in a circle. This means that it is from a production batch originally ordered by the Ministry of Supply during WW2 but which remained unused and therefore surplus when the War ended. Such 'G' valves were returned to their manufacturers at a nominal price so that they could be re-marked with civilian type numbers and exploited in the civil market. Supposedly to boost the export capability of war-weary British Industry.

This U14 was designed to work with a maximum reservoir capacitor of 32 µF and to have an effective series resistance of 100 Ohms. The filament is a thin inverted V ribbon in each of the two anode cavities.

The classic envelope is 42 mm in diameter and, excluding the B4 base pins, is 100 mm tall.

Reference: Data-sheet. Type U12/14 was first introduced in 1939. See also 1939 adverts.

Pin Connections

Absolute Maximum Operating Conditions^¶

Thanks to Frank Philipse for supplying the above PDF datasheet.