[Amps] Grid fuses (was: Life and gain of 3-500Z)

[Tom W8JI]

> sorry, I said I was going to quit.
> But I really am learning from this exchange, so if you 
> don't mind,
> one more question.
>
> Once there's an arc going, opening the circuit on the 
> grid-to-ground
> side would have the same effect as opening the circuit on 
> the
> HV-to-plate side... no?

No Chris.

If you open the grid path, the anode now dumps energy to the 
cathode via the grid. This isn't a guess, wild speculation, 
or something that happens once in a while. This is something 
that often happens!

If the anode path is opened, everything goes away provided 
the protection device in the anode lead has enough hold-off 
rating to quench the opening arc.

There is a world of difference between the fusing or fault 
protecting an anode or fusing a grid. Fusing a grid for 
faults is about as wise as fusing the neutral of a power 
line.

73 Tom