By Roger Kennedy © 2007
Hickok 580 and 580A Fact Sheet
I have included the specification sheets for both the 580 and the 580A at the end of this document.
Included within this document I have described the characteristics of these two testers, their main
features, and short comings.
Circuit design and operation method:
The 580 and 580A operate using the same Hickok bridge circuit design used in most all other Hickok
testers. The key differences are that this model uses 3 power transformers, one for the filament (heater)
supply, one for the plate voltage supply (and Gm measurement operation), and the third, for the screen
voltage supply! This Hickok is the only model (other than the full laboratory units) that provided a range
of plate/screen voltage supplies up to 300 volts DC! The TUT is operated with unfiltered and non-
regulated voltages just as the other Hickok models and many other makes and models of service testers.
The only real difference between the factory stock 580 and 580A is that the 580A had the addition of a
plate current measurement test, activated by a separate push button located directly below the main Gm
meter. This test would only read to 50 mA of plate current. Other than the plate current measurement
the technical specifications between the two were the same!
These two testers did have some inherent issues associated with their design. The issues were of small
concern at the time for two reasons. First, at the time they were all new and parts deterioration from age,
regular usage, and possible mis-use (abuse) was not a factor then, particularly age was not an issue.
Second, they were primarily designed to determine if a tube was good or bad, and not for use as a Quality
control tool, or for detailed tube analysis purposes. So in the application as a service testers the units did
just fine back then. So then what is wrong with them? As service testers having been serviced and
calibrated nothing! But there are still those design issues that inhibit them from providing a higher
degree of accuracy in their Gm (mutual conductance) testing. This issues was present then, but to a much
smaller degree. Now due to parts deterioration from age, then you add in the amount of use they have
had (hours of operation), and any misuse, then the issue becomes a bigger problem now. In addition
there are three inherent technical issues, one will lead to both testing errors and/or outright failure, one is
also related to inaccurate test results, and an out of calibration condition, and/or total failure too, and yet
one other will cause totally misleading test results in a wide range of higher gain amplifier tubes. This
last issues was finally identified by Hickok and corrected in the last 580A units in production and
corrected in both models that went in for service back in those days! However, there are a large number
of units that were never fixed still out there.
The two inherent design issues that cause a less accurate test result and a calibration issues as well, are
the plate/screen/heater power transformers, and the AC line set procedure. It is true that all, but one
model series of Hickok had the same AC line set issue, this was also typical on 99% of all other make
and models of service testers made by most companies! But the 580 and 580A were not low cost models
as most of the other were. The normal power transformer issue is a problem for these testers just as
much as it is for all the tube testers built back then. I have written another paper on transformers, titled
Transformer Issues In Tube Testers.
What are all these issues:
- Power transformer issues,
- Power rectifier issue,
- Osillation during tube test issue,
- Correct tube test result & calibration issue,
- Tester failure issue,
- AC Line set issue,
By Roger Kennedy © 2007
Hickok identified a problem in the 580 and 580A late in the manufacturing of the 580A which caused the
oscillation during the testing of higher gain tube, but also could occur with some medium mu tubes as
well. They had to add a capacitor to the bridge circuit to suppress the tendency to cause some tubes to
begin to oscillate. This oscillation caused the meter to measure the wrong Gm value!
The calibration and accuracy issue related to the plate/screen transformers are the following:
First, the typical problem of leakage within the transformer, the carbon content of the transformer core
material, wire insulation issues, the AC voltage regulation capabilities, and then internal temperature rise
resulting from one, or more of these issues add to the other basic transformer
design/manufacturing/materials issue of the past. When these issues are taken into account with the fact
that the plate and screen voltages applied to the tube under test are taken from dual sets of various
secondary transformer windings, (often which have different winding resistance’s between them)
which are actually switched in and out of circuit by the plate and screen voltage selector switches, thus
causing you end up with voltage errors and an in-balance in the measurement bridge circuit. This in-
balance will have a major additive or subtractive error on all Gm test results and the error will effect
different tubes on the different plate/screen settings to different degrees! While this error was much
smaller when the transformers were new it never the less was still present then as well but was
considered to be acceptable. This problem is present even when the transformers were new, but it is
much greater with the old transformers as they age and continue to be operated. In addition to this
spicific issue other problems described in the first part of this paragraph are also found and are explained
in my other document “Transformer Issues In Tube Testers” which also add to the degree of the
problem from tester to tester. I have designed a circuit upgrade that will correct this and greatly
improve the accuracy of the testers Gm measurement on all ranges and for all tubes with old or
new transformers. You may want to review my Hickok upgrade document for more details.
The 580 and 580A were only two models of a total of five models that Hickok built using solid state
rectifier diodes in the power supply. At the time, solid state diodes were in their early development and
application usage phase, and many had material, and manufacturing process related issues. This issue in
addition to the normal component aging, wear and operational stress will cause various problems up to
including total tester failure to occur sooner or latter.
Having said all this when a 580 or 580A is in top condition and all the above issues are corrected this
tester will provide a quite accurate test result and at plate voltages approaching those of up to 300 volts
which are the typical values often stated in many tube specification sheets and manuals!
In any of these 580/580A testers which have marginal power transformers in them, you can still obtain
acceptable test results usually within +/- 10% if most of the other issues have been addressed without
replacing any of the transformers. However there are situations when one or more of the transformers
may have to be replaced to obtain acceptable performance. However, this issues is no different than any
other tube tester model except for the number of transformers used in most the other models are one and
in only a few models two.
You may want to review some of my other related articles on:
- Transformer Issues In Tube Testers,
- Tube tester usefulness and accuracy,
- Service tube tester accuracy related issues,
- Testing tubes accurately on a service tester,
By Roger Kennedy © 2007
Hickok 580 & 580A specifications / features
Model 580 Model 580A
Physical Characteristics & Power requirements: Physical Characteristics & Power requirements:
Size W =19 in. D= 15 ½ in. H= 7.0 in. Size W =19 in. D= 15 ½ in. H= 7.0 in.
W eight: 30 pounds W eight: 30 pounds
Power Line voltages: 105 to 125 VAC Power Line voltages: 105 to 125 VAC
Power line Frequency: 50 to 60 Hz Power line Frequency: 50 to 60 Hz
Tube Socket Complement: Tube Socket Complement:
9 pin Novar, 9 pin Novar,
12 pin Compactron, 12 pin Compactron,
9 pin and 10 pin Miniature, 9 pin and 10 pin Miniature,
7 pin miniature, 7 pin miniature,
8 pin Loctal, 8 pin Loctal,
5 pin Nuvistor, 5 pin Nuvistor,
7 pin Nuvistor, 7 pin Nuvistor,
8 pin Octal, 8 pin Octal,
8 pin sub-miniature round, 8 pin sub-miniature round,
7 pin sub-miniature in -line, 7 pin sub-miniature in -line,
5-7 pin Acorn, 5-7 pin Acorn,
7 pin Combination, 7 pin Combination,
4, 5, & 6 pin Combination 4, 5, & 6 pin Combination
M utual Conductance Ranges (Gm): M utual Conductance Ranges (Gm):
3,000 micro mho’s, 3,000 micro mho’s,
10,000 micro mho’s, 10,000 micro mho’s,
30,000 micro mho’s, 30,000 micro mho’s,
60,000 micro mho’s, 60,000 micro mho’s,
Three rectifier/diode test ranges, Three rectifier/diode test ranges,
One voltage regulator range. One voltage regulator range.
AC Test Signal: = 0.28 vac RMS AC Test Signal: = 0.28 vac RMS
Leakage test: Leakage test:
Sensitivity to 50 megohms. Sensitivity to 50 megohms.
Read directly from meter. Read directly from meter.
Test Voltages: Test Voltages:
Filament/heater: 0 to 117 vac in 19 steps: Filament/heater: 0 to 117 vac in 19 steps:
0.6, 1.1, 1.4, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.3, 5.0, 6.3, 7.5, 10.0, 0.6, 1.1, 1.4, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.3, 5.0, 6.3, 7.5, 10.0,
12.6, 17.0, 20.0, 25.0, 35.0, 50.0, 75.0, 117.0 12.6, 17.0, 20.0, 25.0, 35.0, 50.0, 75.0, 117.0
Plate and Screen DC voltages: Plate and Screen DC voltages:
Individually Selectable in 12 steps. Individually Selectable in 12 steps.
6.3, 12.6, 22.5, 45, 80, 100, 120, 150, 6.3, 12.6, 22.5, 45, 80, 100, 120, 150,
180, 200, 250, 300 180, 200, 250, 300
Bias voltage: Bias voltage:
Fixed Bias voltage: 0 to 50 vdc. Fixed Bias voltage: 0 to 50 vdc.
Self Bias: available through applying a fixed resistor Self Bias: available through applying a fixed resistor
to a standard phone jack on top panel by Gm meter. to a standard phone jack on top panel by Gm meter.
Life test: -10% Push button Life test: -10% Push button
Gas Test: to 50 milli-microamps of grid current Gas Test: to 50 milli-microamps of grid current
NO Plate Current M easurement Available! Plate Current measurement: up to 50 mA
By push button switch . Measured on main meter.
By Roger Kennedy © 2007
Description of common features between the 580 and 580A models:
The Hickok. Model 580 and 580A Tube Tester combines some of the characteristics desired for
exacting laboratory tube testing with the portability and simplicity required by the technician for
the maintenance of modern electronic equipment. The design specifications include, all accepted
standard tests and in addition have the facility to test tubes with individually variable potentials
as required to comply with tube manufacturers' tube manuals.
Operating test voltages for Filament, plate, and screen supplies can be preset to provide the
voltages specified by most of the receiving tubes as stated in most Tube Manuals. Three separate
power supply transformers with solid state rectifiers supply stable, long-lasting, trouble-free
operation (no vacuum tubes are used in the Model 580 or 580A Tube Tester).
Filament voltages are variable from 0.8 to 117 volts AC,. in 19 steps. Plate voltages and screen
voltages are each separately variable in 11 steps. These variable voltage values provide the
combinations most specified in manufacturers tube manuals.
The d. c. bias voltage is continuously variable from 0 to 50 volts and can be set by means of a
calibrated dial or it can be read on the meter mounted on the panel. For accuracy in setting the bias
voltage a two position switch is provided which permits readings of 0 to 5 or 0 to 50 volts full scale.
A cathode resistor may be inserted into the SELF-BIAS jack on the front panel by means of a phone
plug for making self-bias tests, This jack' is internally shunted by a 1000 mfd capacitor making an
external cathode bypass capacitor unnecessary.
A potentiometer concentrically mounted on the FILAMENT VOLTS switch provides a means of
electrically centering the tube filament to prevent 60 hz modulation, of the grid-filament circuit
during Gm testing.
Dual diodes and triodes with electrically identical sections can be tested with one setting of the
selector switches. Each section of the tube can be tested in-dependently for inter-element leakage,
gas, and mutual conductance by transferring the tube test conditions (the selector switch settings)
from one section of the tube under test to the other section by pressing one push button switch.
Both models provides a gas test circuit that permits detection of as little as 50 milli-microamperes
of grid current in the tube under test.
Plate, grid, and cathode jacks are provided on the front panel for easy connection to plate, grid, and
cathode tube caps.
Life-test of a tube is provided for by means of a push button switch that reduces heater voltage. This
permits evaluation of the cathode reserve and an approximation of the life expectancy of a tube.
The standard Hickok unique safety-interlock of the selector switches prevents possible damage to
the tube under test or to the testes circuits. END OF DOCUMENT:
By Roger Kennedy. © 2007 - 2008
www.alltubetesters.com email:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
