Z803u tubes

[mad_dog]

Ok so I got my hands on 3 philips z803u tubes and know very little what they are used for. I saw nos ones go for about $99 at thetubestore.com so if I can't use them, then I might as well off load them.

[Structo]

Gas filled trigger tube.
I wonder what they are used for?

Found this description:

The Z803U thyratron is a cold cathode device. The device will conduct when a set voltage is reached on the control electrode and the ionisation within the device will then form an avalanche discharge.
The electrode tr is the trigger, and the electrode p is the priming electrode

[mad_dog]

Yeah I found that description as well. I don't think they will be any use to me, not even sure they are any good.

I'm happy to give them to anyone here if they are of any use to them and they can tell me what they are used for.

[martin manning]

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyratron

"Thyratrons have been replaced in most low and medium-power applications by corresponding semiconductor devices known as thyristors (sometimes called silicon-controlled rectifiers, or SCRs) and triacs. However, switching service requiring voltages above 20 kV and involving very short risetimes remains within the domain of the thyratron."