Solid State Rectifier – 5AR4, 5U4, 5Y3

The Solid State Rectifier – 5AR4, 5U4, 5Y3 is a direct replacement for 5AR4, 5U4 and 5Y3 rectifier vacuum tubes in amplifiers with center tapped secondary power transformer.

Use these solid state rectifiers when less ‘sag’ is desired in the power supply; just switch back to the tube rectifier when ‘sag’ is desired. When using solid state rectification, the rectiifer passes high volatge immediately upon being powered up. This means it is sending high volatge to the power tubes before they have had a chance to build the ‘electron cloud’. This can cause damage to the cathode which will signifcantly reduce the life of the power tubes.

When a standby switch is used, the first on position supplies power to the tube filaments only, allowing the electron cloud to form in the power tubes. The second on position then supplies the high voltage through the rectifier. Usign this described method of starting up will greatly reduce the cathode dame and will prolong the power tube life.