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Pen453DD

 
See also:
Murphy Radio - Mazda Pen45DD & Pen453DD Advert
    
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The Pen453DD double diode output pentode type of valve was a feature of the late 1930s, and the Pen453DD dates from 1938. The diodes were for signal and AGC rectification, and the high gain output pentode drove the speaker directly without the need for an audio pre-amplifier stage.
This exhibit is essentially a Type PEN383 with additional diodes. The PEN383 has a 38 V heater but in the PEN453DD this was increased to 45 V in order to provide additional heating power for the diode cathodes. The pentode sections of the two types are identical.
The idea was to save cost in a cheap radio by eliminating the normal stage of audio amplification between the detector and the output stage. However, the pentode section of a PEN453DD requires around 20 V pk-pk grid signal for full audio output. This much signal can be delivered by a good detector stage driven by a strong IF signal from a strong station received on a decent aerial but if anything in the receiving chain is weak there is no leeway to turn the volume up so the audio output level drops. Some Murphy sets used PEN383s preceded by a double-diode triode. The extra gain provided by the triode is certainly needed in some cases.
The double-diode-pentode arrangement is a valid technique and was used successfully (by Murphy and other radio manufacturers) during the later 1930s when output pentodes with sufficiently high gain, typically twice that of the PEN453DD, became available. PEN453DDs are rare valves, perhaps for this reason.
By re-introducing these 1930s valves in the post war era, rather than new designs, Mazda lost ground to competitors. Mazda then introduced modern miniature designs.
The anode load impedance needs to be 2,600 Ohms.
The wide classic envelope is 50 mm in diameter and, excluding the MO base pins, is 112 mm tall.
References: Data-sheet, 1040 & 1043. Type Pen453DD was first introduced in 1938. See also 1938 adverts.

 

Pin Connections
MO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
tc
h
k
a
g2
a(d2)
m
a(d1)
h
g1

 

Absolute Maximum Operating Conditions
Pentode
Vh
Ah
Va
Vs
Vg
mAa
mAs
gm
Pout
D
45
0.2
160
175
-10
64
13
10.5
3.75W
7%
Thanks to Frank Philipse for supplying the above PDF datasheet.
Updated February 20, 2013.
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