Steel-Cylinder Grid-Controlled Mercury-Arc Rectifiers in Radio Service

This article describes a steel-cylinder grid-controlled mercury-arc rectifier as applied to radio transmitting service. The various parts of the rectifier cylinder are pointed out with reference to a picture of the rectifier unit. The use of mercury seals is described, and the operation of various auxiliaries such as vacuum pumps, vacuum meter, and ignition-excitation equipment is dealt with. Particular reference is made to the use of grid control for deionizing the anodes after carrying current, regulation of the direct-current output voltage, ultra-high speed electronic circuit breaker protection of the rectifier and radio transmitter equipment, and inversion of electrical energy stored in the filter system during the interruption of short circuits. The operation of the grid-control protective circuit as compared to that of an alternating-current oil circuit breaker in interrupting direct short circuits is illustrated by means of oscillograph records.