TRIODE CHARACTERISTICS

Aim: To draw the Characteristic curves of the triode valve & to determine its
(1) Trans conductance (gm) (2) Internal resistance (R) (3)Amplification factor().
Apparatus: Triode characteristic experimental set up
Formula:
dIp
dV g

( )

at constant

Vp

= ----------------mho

dV p
d IP

at constant

Vg

= -------------------

dVp
=
Amplification factor,
dV g

at constant

Ip

Trans conductance,

gm =

Internal resistance,

R p=

( )

( )

Or
Amplification factor,

=R p gm

Circuit:

Theory: A triode is a three element electron vacuum tube. It consists of a cathode (Emitter), a
plate (collector) & a control grid. The grid is placed between the cathode & the plate.
When the filament is heated using a low tension battery, the cathode emits electrons. If
the plate is maintained at a positive potential with respect to cathode, the electrons are attracted
6 Dept. of Physics HPPC Govt. First Grade College Challakere -577522

TRIODE CHARACTERISTICS
by the plate & this forms the plate current. The grid may be maintained either at positive
potential or at negative potential w.r.t. to cathode, then the plate current changes. Hence the plate
current in a triode is determined by the combined effect of the electric fields set up by the Plate
and grid voltages. The control grid, being nearer to the cathode than the plate has a greater effect
on the plate current than the plate voltage. This permits amplification of a signal.
If the grid is maintained at a large negative bias, the grid neutralizes the electrostatic field
of the plate and no plate current flows. The minimum negative grid voltage capable of cutting
off the plate current is called the cut off bias.
If the grid is made positive the electric field of the grid aids the field of the plate and for
a certain voltage the plate current reaches saturation value.
The functional relations between the plate voltage, grid voltage and plate current are
called triode characteristics.
If the plate current is plotted against plate voltage at constant grid voltage, the curves
obtained are called plate characteristics.
If the plate current is plotted against grid voltage at constant plate voltage, the curves
obtained are called mutual characteristics.
The constants of a triode are (1) amplification factor (2) plate resistance Rp and
(3) mutual or transconductance gm
Table 1: Anode Characteristics
Vg =0V

Vg =-1V

Anode Characteristics graph:

Vg =-2V

Vp in

Ip in

Vp in

Ip in

Vp in

Ip in

Volts

mA

Volts

mA

Volts

mA

7 Dept. of Physics HPPC Govt. First Grade College Challakere -577522

TRIODE CHARACTERISTICS
Table 2: Mutual Characteristics:
Vp =100V

Vp = 125V

Mutual Characteristics graph:

Vp = 150V

Vg in

Ip in

Vg in

Ip in

Vg in

Ip in

Volts

mA

Volts

mA

Volts

mA

Calculations:
8 Dept. of Physics HPPC Govt. First Grade College Challakere -577522

TRIODE CHARACTERISTICS
dIp
dV g

( )

at constant

Vp

= ----------------mho

dV p
d IP

at constant

Vg

= -------------------

dVp
=
3. Amplification factor,
dV g

at constant

Ip

1. Trans conductance,

gm =

2. Internal resistance,

R p=

( )

( )

Amplification factor,

Or
=R p gm

Result:
Trans conductance,

gm

=__________mho

Internal Resistance, RP =_____________

Amplification factor, =______________

9 Dept. of Physics HPPC Govt. First Grade College Challakere -577522