HeathKit Tube Checker Model TC-2

Manufacturer: HeathKit

Model Number: TC-2

Serial #:

Equipment Description: Tube Checker

Label Write-up:
A tube checker is an important piece of test equipment for servicing electronic equipment of the 1920's through the 1990's. Tubes often fail and are easy to check and replace. The TC-2 tests tubes for shorted elements, open elements, filament continuity, and operating quality on the basis of total emission. It tests all tube types encountered in radio and TV servicing. It will test 4, 5, 6, and 7 pin large base tubes, octals, loctals, 7 and 9 pin miniatures, hytron 5 pin tubes, and pilot lights. It came in a birch cabinet or as a portable model.

This is an emission type tube tester. It applies voltage in a way to see how much current the cathode is capable of emitting. Low emission is a weak tube that does not output much signal. The advantage of an emission tester is that from all types of tube testers, it provides the most reliable warning of tube wear-out. If emission is at 70%, transconductance can be at 90% still, and gain at 100%. The disadvantage of an emission tester is that it can test a good tube as bad, and a bad tube as good, because it ignores other properties of the tube. A tube with low emission will work perfectly fine in most circuits, and need not be replaced on that indication alone, unless it measures much lower than specified or if it indicates a short.

The TC-2 contains a roll chart with the needed settings. Each tube must be set up with the correct voltages and connections made through the switches on the tube tester in order to accurately read the status of the tube.

Dates Produced: 1953 - 1958

Original Price: $30

The museum's inventory number: MRT-505

Located at Museum in: Class Room

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