The 866 is a mercury vapor half-wave rectifier intended for high-voltage applications. The voltage drop is approximately 15 volts up to 150 Hz. To avoid unwanted shorts the tube must be operated in a vertical position and the filament preheated for at least 30 seconds before applying the plate voltage.
Construction Structurally, it consists of a linear electrode arrangement; a cup shaped anode with top cap and a cylindrical cathode. The socket is a medium 4 pin bayonet UX-4 and the glass envelope is ST-19. The 2.5 volt/ 5 Amp filament is connected to pins 1 and 4.
Operation Under normal operating conditions the tube glows blue and mercury droplets are visible.
Pictures in working conditions
References
Further reading RCA Transmitting Tube Manual TT-3. Radio Corporation of America. 1940. pp. 64–65.
External links 866 @ The National Valve Museum 866A at Radiomuseum.org