Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 1:ECE01-2NDSEM-2020-2021

College: ENGINEERING
Campus : BAMBANG

DEGREE PROGRAM BSEE COURSE NO. ECE01

SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE Electronic Circuits: Devices and Analysis
YEAR LEVEL 2nd Year TIME FRAME 6 hrs WK NO. 1 IM NO. 1

I. INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS

II. INTRODUCTION
This chapter contains the following topics.
1. History
2. Application of electronics
3. Basic electronic components
4. Types of Electron tubes
5. Construction & operation of the different electron tube devices
6. Construction & operation of vacuum tubes

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

This chapter provides the students an introduction to electronics, the electronics before and the
electronics we know today. This module discusses basic electronic components and their symbols,
resistor color coding, construction and operation of the different types of vacuum tube and their history.

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. discuss the history of electronics;
2. discuss the basic electronics components;
3. determine the resistors value through color coding;
4. discuss the fundamentals of vacuum tubes;
5. draw the symbols for passive electronic components; and
6. draw the symbols for vacuum tube devices.

V. LESSON CONTENT

1. BRIEF HISTORY

Electronics’ actual history began with the invention of vacuum-tube diode (also called Fleming valve or
thermionic valve) by J. A. Fleming in 1904. Shortly thereafter, in 1906, Lee De Forest added a third element,
called the control grid, to the vacuum diode, resulting in the first amplifier, the triode. In the following years, radio
and television provided great stimulation to the tube industry. Production rose from about 1 million tubes in 1922
to about 100 million in 1937. In the early 1930s the four-element tetrode and five-element pentode gained
prominence in the electron-tube industry. In the years to follow, the industry became one of primary importance
and rapid advances were made in design, manufacturing techniques, high-power and high-frequency
Sir John Ambrose Fleming is renowned to be the Father of Electronics. His science and technological
achievements have had long term effects.

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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 1:ECE01-2NDSEM-2020-2021

applications, and miniaturization. The vacuum tube was undoubtedly the electronic
device of interest and development until 1947 when Dr. William Shockley, Walter H.
Brattain and John Bardeen introduced the transistor.

Sir John Ambrose

Fleming (November 29,
1849-April 18, 1945)
Time chart showing some major developments in electronics

2. APPLICATION OF ELECTRONICS
2.1 Aerospace Industry
-Electronics is widely used in aerospace
such as space shuttle, satellite power supplies,
control systems, navigation, power management,
etc. Even in airlines there are hundreds of electronic
instruments used to measure different factors such
as elevation, temperature, oxygen level and speed.
Power electronics have a huge contribution in space
stations and satellite especially with power
management systems.

2.2 Medical
Many machines like x-ray, body temperature Bombardier Challenger CL-600 flight deck.
sensor, NMR, heart rate sensors and digital BP Courtesy of the Universal Avionics Systems
meter is commonly by medical practitioners which
Corporation
are products of electronics.

2.3 Automobile
Computer boxes, driver assistance, GPS, entertainment
systems and security systems are just some of features being
added to automobiles through the application of electronics.

2.4 Utility Systems

Electronics has also applications in utility systems such
as Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS), paging systems,
CCTV systems, structured cablings etc.

2.5 Commercial
Many simple to advance electronics has made its way
to the commercial sector such as air-conditioning systems, A photo showing a car installed with
light-dimmers, computers and other appliances which computer box. Courtesy of Bentley
undoubtedly made daily life easier. Motors
2.6 Agriculture
With the increasing human population, agriculture is finding ways to increase production of crops
and livestock and one way is through electronics. Today many devices and systems are built to plant
crops, monitor crops and livestock and measure several factors such soil nutrition, acidity of soil, oxygen
level of water, salinity, etc.

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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 1:ECE01-2NDSEM-2020-2021

2.7 Communication
Electronic devices and systems are used for data acquisition, storage, display analysis,
protection, etc. With electronics, it is made possible for people over long distances to communicate with
each other using gadgets/ devices such as telephone, mobile phones and CB radio. Other applications
of electronics in communications are tv broadcast, amateur radio and radio broadcast.

2.8 Industrial
One of the applications of electronics in the industry is automation. Automation uses control
systems (e.g. Programmable Logic Circuits, robots) and information technologies to handle different
processes and machineries in an industry in order to increase the rate of production without
compromising the quality.

2.9 Residential
There are many electronic equipments which made
our life easier such as rice cookers, electric iron, microwave
oven and water heaters.

2.10 Military
Drones are some aerial electronics machines that
are used for military aerial attack and monitoring. There are
also some electronic devices integrated with the military
weapons for better handling and performance. There are
also devices they used for easier navigation such as A photo of a modern military drone.
RADAR, GPS, night visions, camera, etc.

3. BASIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

3.1 PASSIVE - Passive components can influence the flow of electricity running through them. They do
not need external supply in order to operate. For example, they can resist its flow, dissipate energy, store
energy for later use, or produce inductance. However, they cannot control or amplify electricity
themselves.
3.1.1 Capacitors
Stores electrical
energy electrostatically in an
electric field (known as
‘charging’), and can release 3
it later when needed 4
3.1.2 Diode (PN-Junction &
LED)
Permits electricity to
flow in one direction only
3.1.3 Inductor
Stores electrical
energy in a magnetic field;
allows direct current (DC) to
flow through it, but not
alternating current (AC)
3.1.4 Resistor
Resists the flow of
electrical current in a
circuit; used to lower
voltage
3.1.5 Transducer
Converts an input
signal into other forms of
energy; sensors are a type
of transducer that convert
physical action/input into an MIND THE GAP!
electrical signal
Resistor Color Codes
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3.2 ACTIVE- In order to perform its specific function, active components need a source of energy, typically
in the form of a direct current. They can control electrically the electric charge flow.
3.2.1 Diode (Tunnel, Gunn, Zener etc)
These types of diodes are active due to their negative resistance property.
3.2.2 Transistor
Mostly used for amplifying electrical signals or as switching devices
3.2.3 Integrated Circuit
multiple complex circuits on a circuit board; used to perform all kinds of tasks; still
considered a component despite consisting of many other components
3.2.4 Display devices (LCD, LED & CRT)
3.2.5 Power Sources (batteries, etc)

3.3 SCHEMATIC SYMBOLS

Schematic symbols are used to represent actual electronic components in a diagram.

Resistor Capacitor Inductor Diode LED

Transistor IC Relay
Battery
Basic electronics components Schematic Symbols

4. ELECTRON TUBES

Fundamentally, the electron tube is a

valve (term used in England) which provides the
means of conducting electrons through the
enclosed space within a glass or metal container.
Decades ago, the only electronic instruments
available for use as amplifiers, oscillators,
detectors, squarer, clippers and other electronic
circuits and systems were electron tubes. These
were used in communication devices such as
radar, teletype, and facsimile but were also used
Electron tubes shown in different sizes.
in some power amplifiers, microwave, oscillators,
and video display units (CRT TV). Electron tube is the vital component in all of these devices and its
unique feature is extraordinary versatility.

Electron tubes typically need high voltage for operation. The use of these tubes demanded 100
V to 200 V dc, even in modest radio receivers. This demanded large power supplies, and created a very
dangerous electrical shock hazard. A standard tube ranged from the size of your thumb to your palm.

The operation of all electron tubes depends on the supply of electrons available. During operation,
electrons are emitted from one electrode (this is called electron emission) and travel, across the
intervening space, to another electrode. There is more than one method to accomplish electron emission.
The most important is thermionic emission. Thermionic emission is the emission of charge particles,
specifically electrons, from one metallic emitter by adding sufficiently heat. All other approaches include
secondary emissions, photoelectric, and cold-cathode emissions.
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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
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4.1 Two Types of Electron Tubes

Two main types of electron tube exist: the vacuum tube and the gas-filled tube. Vacuum tubes
have nearly all the gases separated from their envelopes, as their names suggest. Gas filled tubes
contain low pressure elemental vapor.

4.1.1 Gas-Filled Tube

Normally the gas-filled tubes have a steady drop in voltage, no matter what the current value.
Which makes them very useful for high-voltage and high-current power supplies as voltage regulators.
Gas-filled tubes can withstand conditions that would damage semiconductor devices. Gas-filled tubes
emit Infrared (IR), visible light, and/or ultraviolet (UV). This property can be put to use for decorative
lighting.

Gas-filled tubes of various gasses glowed in different colors

4.1.2 Vacuum Tubes

A vacuum tube's basic parts are: heater or filament, emitter (cathode), and plate (anode); The
emitter or cathode is responsible for the emission of millions of electrons upon heated by the heater,
while the plate or anode collects or absorbs from the cathode all the emitted electrons.

4.1.2.1 Types of Cathodes

In a tube, the electron-emitting electrode is called cathode (can also be

electron emitter). Normally the cathode is heated using wire filament (tungsten),
similar to the glowing part in an incandescent bulb. The filament materials are
tungsten, tungsten thoriated or metal coated with alkaline-earth oxides.

4.1.2.1.1 Directly-Heated Cathode/ Directly-Heated Electron Emitter Filament of a tube

For this system the glowing filament or heater also acts as the cathode. This type of electrode is
called a directly-heated cathode. The negative voltage of supply is applied directly onto the filament. In
most tubes, the filament voltage is either 6 V, or 12 V dc. It is important to remember that this type of tube
uses DC to heat the filament, since AC would tend to modulate the output

Some directly heated oxide-coated filaments need relatively little heating capacity, which is why
they are commonly used in battery-powered tubes and portable equipment. The speed at which it reaches
electron emitting temperature is an added advantage of the directly heated electron source. Since this is
almost instantaneous, a lot of equipment that must be switched on at regular intervals must use directly
heated tubes to be immediately accessible.

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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
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(a) (b)

Directly-Heated Cathode(a) Construction (b) Symbol

4.1.2.1.2 Indirectly-Heated Cathode/ Indirectly-Heated Electron Emitter

Another type of cathode has the filament confined to a cylindrical cathode, and the cathode gets
hot from the radiated IR by the filament or heater. Normally the filament receives 6 V or 12 V ac or dc.
With an indirectly heated cathode setting, ac doesn't cause problems with modulation, as it does with a
directly heated cathode tube. Since the electron emission in a tube is based on the filament or heater, it
is badly important to warm up the tube until they can work properly. This warm up time will range from a
few seconds (for a small tube with a directly heated cathode) to a few minutes (for large power-amplifier
tubes with indirectly heated cathodes). For a large tube the warm-up time is around the same as a
personal computer's boot-up time.

(a) (b)

Indirectly-Heated Cathode (a) basic construction (b) symbol

4.1.2.2 Types of Vacuum Tubes

Four types of vacuum tubes are commonly used in electronic circuits: Vacuum Tube Diode,
Triode, Tetrode, and Pentode. The number of electrodes dictates which tube type

4.1.2.2.1 Vacuum Tube Diodes

This device, invented by John Ambrose Fleming, consists of only two electrodes; the cathode
and the plate or anode, not considering an electrode to be the filament or heater. That's why diode is
used because it means "two" electrodes because of the initial word "di'.' The diode is the simplest vacuum
tube system type where it is primarily used to convert AC to DC signal. The method of converting AC to
DC is called the rectification method and the diodes used are called rectifier diodes.

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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 1:ECE01-2NDSEM-2020-2021

(a) (b)

Vacuum Diode (a) Construction (b) Schematic Symbol

4.1.2.2.2 Triodes

One of the most significant steps in modern electronics is the invention of the triode by Lee de
Forest in 1906. This structure represents the first electronic component capable of amplifying a given
signal. The method to raise a signal's amplitude to a desired amount is called the Amplification Process.
In total, the triode has three electrodes; plate, cathode, and control grid (G1). One electrode can control
the flow of large current between the cathode and the plate. This electrode, the control grid (or simply the
grid (G1)), is a mesh wire or panel that allows electrons to pass through it. The grid impedes the flow of
electrons when sufficient negative voltage is provided relative to the cathode. The greater the negative
grid bias, the more the grid impedes electrons flow through the vacuum tube. Triodes are commonly used
for Audio Frequency (AF) amplifiers but are seldom used for Radio Frequency (RF) amplifiers due to their
high inter-electrode power causing oscillation.

Lee De
Forest
called his
invention,
the first
triode,
Audion.

(a) (b)

Triode Schematic Symbol (a) construction (b) symbol

4.1.2.2.3 Tetrode

This device consisting of four electrodes; plate, cathode, control grid (G1) and screen grid (G2)
respectively was invented by a German Physicist named Walter H. Schottkey in 1919. A second grid
between the control grid and the plate can be added. It is a wire spiral or coarse frame, which is called
the screen grid. This grid normally carries a positive dc voltage at the plate voltage of 25 to 35 per cent..
In a triode, the cathode, control grid, and plate exhibit interelectrode capacitance that is the primary
limiting factor on the frequency range in which the device can produce gain (amplification). For a typical
tube the interelectrode capacitance is a few picofarads. It is insignificant at low frequencies (AF), but it is
a major issue at (RF) frequencies above around 30 MHz. The screen grid reduces the capacitance
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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
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between the control grid and plate, thus minimizing a tube amplifier 's tendency to oscillate. Vacuum
tubes intended for use as RF amplifiers are designed to minimize this capacitance. This is where the
tetrode is normally used for Radio Frequency (RF) amplifiers such as for AM, FM, and TV transmitters
and receivers. The screen grid may also act as a second control grid allowing for the injection of two
signals into a channel.

(a) (b)

Tetrode (a) Construction (b) Schematic Symbol

4.1.2.2.4 Pentodes

The electrons in a tetrode coming from the cathode will blast the plate with such force that some
of them bounce back, or knock other electrons out of the plate. Such so-called secondary emission will
impair the output of the tube and cause screen current at high power levels to be so high that the electrode
can be fried. This problem can be solved by adding another grid between the screen and the plate, called
the suppressor grid (G3) or suppressor. The suppressor grid repels emitting secondary electrons from
the plate, stopping any of them from reaching the screen grid. The suppressor grid also reduces the
capacitance between the control grid and the plate more than a screen grid by itself. With a pentode, or
a tube of five electrodes, greater gain and stability is possible than with a tetrode or triode. This was
invented by a Dutch electrical engineer named Bernard D.H. Tellegen in 1926.

(a) (b)

Pentode (a) Construction (b) Schematic Symbol.

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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
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VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

I. ELECTRONICS SCHEMATIC SYMBOLS AND ITS DESCRIPTION
DIRECTION: Using a black ink pen, draw the schematic symbols of the following devices
and also give the corresponding description or uses.
Electronics Component
Device Name Schematic Symbol Description (uses)

1. Junction Diode

2. Varactor Diode

3. Fixed Resistor

4. Variable Resistor

5. Non-Polarized
Capacitor

6. Polarized Capacitor

7. Triode

8. Tetrode

9. Pentode

10. Iron-core Inductor

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Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
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VIII. ASSIGNMENT
Answer the following questions.
1. List at least 5 equipment today that are still using vacuum tubes.
2. Define secondary emission. (3-5 sentences)
3. Discuss why gas-filled tubes with different gases emit different types of color. (3-5 sentences)
4. List at least 7 advantages of vacuum tubes.
5. List at least 5 disadvantages of vacuum tubes.

IX. REFERENCES
A. Printed Resources
Boylestad, R. I. (2012). Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory (11th Ed.) Pearson Education South Asia
Pte. Ltd.

B. e-Resources/e-Book

Boylestad, R. I. (2003). Introductory Circuit Analysis (10th Ed.) Pearson

engineering.com (9 August 2020) https://new.engineering.com/

Interesting Engineering (9 August 2020) https://www.interestingengineering.com

ElProCus (9 August 2020) https://www.elprocus.com

Power&Beyond (9 August 2020) https://www.power-and-beyond.com

Maker Pro (13 August 2020) https://maker.pro/custom/tutorial/intro-to-electronic-components-active-vs-

passive-components

Resistor Guide (13 August 2020) http://www.resistorguide.com/standards-and-codes/resistor-color-

code/resistor_color_codes_chart/

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