found in conventional tubes, the principle employed (electrostatic attraction and repulsion) forms
the heart of all vacuum tube operation.
7. The Horizontal-Deflection Platesin the CRT, these plates move the electron beam by
electrostatic attraction and repulsion, horizontally across the CRT screen. In most equipment
using the CRT, including television sets, electronic signals are supplied to these plates to trace or
paint a horizontal line.
8. The Aquadag Coatingin the CRT, this coating performs the same function as the suppressor
grid in conventional tubes; namely, eliminating the effects of secondary emission. In
conventional tubes, the suppressor grid is negatively charged and repels secondary emission
electrons back to the plate. In the CRT, the aquadag is positively charged and attracts secondary
emission away from the screen.
9. The Screenalso called the face, is a unique element of the CRT. When struck by electrons, the
phosphor coating becomes luminous, or glows, thus enabling the tube to visually present
From this comparison of the CRT and other types of electron tubes, one fact should be clear. Almost
all tubes, no matter what their function, operate on two principles: electrostatic attraction and repulsion,
and thermionic emission. By keeping these two principles in mind, you should be able to analyze any type
of tube operation.
What is the unique ability of the CRT?
What are the three main parts of CRT?
What term is used for the ability of a spot on a CRT screen to continue to glow after the electron
bean has struck it and moved away?
The electron beam in a CRT is made to sweep from left to right across the screen. What tube
element causes this sweeping motion?
In applications where electronic waveforms are displayed on a CRT screen, the input signal is
normally applied to what CRT element?
There are certain safety precautions you should follow when you work with or handle the special
tubes covered in this chapter. We will examine these tubes and their associated precautions in the
The average electron tube is a rugged device capable of withstanding the shocks and knocks of
everyday usage and handling. However, they are not indestructible. You should remember that most
electron tubes contain a near vacuum enclosed by a glass envelope. Because of this, the glass is under
constant stress from atmospheric pressure. Any undue stress, such as striking the envelope against a hard
surface, may cause the envelope to shatter, resulting in an IMPLOSION.
An implosion is just the opposite of an explosion. When the glass envelope of an electron tube
shatters, the outside atmosphere rushes into the tube to fill the vacuum. As the air rushes into the tube, it