Amps w/Window to Glowing Tubes?

[Scott Johnson]

Soft X-rays can be produced at around 12-15 KV, but they won't typically 
penetrate the plate material of the tube.  The distribution of X-ray energy 
varies with the target (anode) material. Material like Copper and Beryllium 
are best for X-ray production.
It is safe to assume that there are no dangerous X-rays under 10KV, so that 
pretty much eliminates most equipment we are concerned with.  Someone 
mentioned IR radiation, which is not any more of a concern that looking at a 
25W lightbulb, Tungsten filaments emit broadband energy, with lots of UV as 
well, but ordinary soda-lime window glass blocks 99% of that, not to mention 
the tube envelope. Transmitting tubes with high operating temperatures 
typically use borosilcate glass, which will pass more UV and IR, but lower 
power tubes use what is known as "flint glass" which blocks more UV and IR. 
A few High voltage television tubes, such as the 1B3GT rectifier and the 
6BK4 shunt regulator, have lead glass envelopes for X-ray protection, but 
these are tubes designed to work at 30-40 KV.
Anyway, don't sweat it, you'll undoubtedly die of something else.

Happy New Year,
Scott V. Johnson
Principal Staff Scientist
Motorola Labs
Embedded Sysytems and Physical Sciences
Center of Excellence
2100 E. Elliot Rd. M/D EL-317
Tempe, AZ 85284 USA
P (480) 413-5139
F (480) 413-5453
C (480) 682-7219
scott.johnson at motorola.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J. Forster" <jfor at QUIK.COM>
To: <BOATANCHORS at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV>
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: [BOATANCHORS-TEMPE] Amps w/Window to Glowing Tubes?


> kd4e wrote:
>
>> Is leaded glass preferred/required for safety?
>
> If you are worried about x-rays, it depends on the HV. Under a few KV, the 
> leaded
> glass is probably unnecessary. Over 10 KV or so, there could easily be 
> x-rays. No
> matter what, you really don't want to sit with your eyeball glued to the 
> window
> because of the IR due to the hot tubes.
>
> -John
>
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