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The Tektronix Type 503 is a monolithic oscilloscope [[introduced in 1960]] specializing in X-Y mode but also containing a sweep circuit.  It features two identical phase matched amplifiers with true differential inputs.  The scope has a bandwidth specification of 450 kHz and sensitivity to 1mV per centimeter.  The 503 and [[504]] were low priced scopes for their time but provided the same quality and precision of their higher handwidth siblings.  The standard version 503 utilized a P2 phosphor CRT that provides a slightly longer trace decay time for ease of photographing the display.  A large market for the scope was in electronics labs of educational institutions.  The differential inputs are useful for entry level students to experiment with observing voltages not referenced to ground.
{{Oscilloscope Sidebar
|manufacturer=Tektronix
|series=
|model=503
|summary=450 kHz differential-input scope
|image=Tek 503 corner.jpg
|caption=Tektronix 503
|introduced=1960
|discontinued=1973
|designers=
|manuals=
* [[Media:070-218.pdf|Tektronix 503 manual, -00]] (OCR)
* [[Media:070-0218-01.pdf|Tektronix 503 manual, -01]] (OCR)
* [[Media:070-0314-01.pdf|RM503 manual, -01]] needed
* [[Media:Tek 503 fcp.pdf|503 Factory Calibration Procedure]] (OCR)
* [[Media:Tek 503 irb.pdf|503 Instrument Reference Book]]
* [[Media:Tek 503 cal outline.pdf|503 Calibration Outline]]
<small>
'''Alternate'''
* [https://bama.edebris.com/download/tek/503/503late.pdf Tektronix 503 manuals (2 versions)] @ BAMA
</small>
}}
The '''Tektronix Type 503''' is a low-cost, low-bandwidth monolithic oscilloscope [[introduced in 1960]] specializing in X-Y mode but also containing a sweep circuit.  It features differential signal inputs.


The 503 is mostly a vacuum tube design with a differential transistor stage following the differential input amplfiers. The 503 does not use post deflection acceleration, resulting in the CRT cathode operating at -3000 V.
There is a similar sister model, the [[504]], with single-ended inputs. A rack-mount version, the ''RM503'',
was also available.


The power supply design is unique in that,
The 503 features two identical phase matched amplifiers with true differential inputs.
unlike other scopes where the high frequency transformer
The scope has a bandwidth specification of 450 kHz and sensitivity to 1 mV/cm.  
only generates the CRT operating voltages,
Due to is its low bandwidth, the 503 can operate at high sensitivities while not responding to interference from broadcast transmitter RF fields, making it suitable for biomedical work.
in the 503 it generates all the operating voltages
other than the two filament circuits which are
supplied by the AC mains power transformer.
It is basically a tube switch-mode power supply.
A [[6DQ6]] power pentode generates the switched primary current.
The transformer operates at a frequency between 25kHz and 30kHz.


In 1960, the 503 cost $625 ($6,600 in 2024 dollars) versus, for example, [[516]] which cost $1000 (2024: $10,600).


A main virtue of the 503 is its low bandwidth which enables it to operate at high sensitivities while not responding to interference from broadcast transmitter RF fields and is therefore useful for biomedical experimenting as well.
A large market for the 503 was in electronics labs of educational institutions. 
The differential inputs are useful for junior students to experiment with observing voltages not referenced to ground.


The rack mount version of the 503 is the RM503.
{{BeginSpecs}}
{{Spec | Bandwidth  | DC to 450 kHz (AC coupled 10 Hz) }}
{{Spec | Deflection | 1 mV/div to 20 V/div, 1–2–5, and 2.5:1 variable }}
{{Spec | Inputs    | 1 MΩ // 47 pF; max. 350 V (DC + peak AC) }}
{{Spec | CMRR      | 100:1 in 1 mV/div to 200 mV/div, 30:1 above (all at ≤50 kHz) }}
{{Spec | Phase      |  <1° to 450 kHz in 1 mV/div to 200 mV/div (equal X and Y sensitivity, variable in CAL, like polarities, DC coupling); <2° to 50 kHz in 500 mv/div to 20 V/div) }}
{{Spec | Sweep      | 1 μs/div to 5 s/div, 1−2−5, variable 2.5:1, magnifier ×2, ×5, ×10, ×20, ×50 }}
{{Spec | Trigger    | Internal, 0.5 div from 50 Hz to 50 kHz, increasing to 2 div at 450 kHz; external 0.5 V from 50 Hz to 450 kHz }}
{{Spec | CRT        | [[T5030]], 3 kV (no post-deflection acceleration), P2 [[phosphor]] standard }}
{{EndSpecs}}


[http://bama.edebris.com/download/tek/503/503late.pdf Tektronix 503 manual]
==Links==
* [https://youtube.com/watch?v=GDZS1yEVqko Tektronix Type 503 Electrical Troubleshooting And Repair] by Mr Carlson's Lab @ YouTube
{{Documents|Link=503}}
{{PatentLinks|503}}


[http://w140.com/tek_fcp/tek_type_503_factory_cal_proc.pdf Tektronix 503 factory calibration procedure]
==Internals==


The 503 is mostly a vacuum tube design with a differential transistor stage following the differential input amplifiers. 
The power supply design is unique in that unlike other scopes where the high frequency transformer only generates the CRT operating voltages,
in the 503 it generates all the operating voltages other than the two filament circuits which are supplied by the AC mains power transformer.
It is basically a tube-based (secondary)  switch-mode power supply (SMPS). 
A [[6DQ6]] power pentode, V620, feeds switched primary current to transformer T620.
The switching frequency of V620 is between 25 kHz and 30 kHz, enabling T620 to operate efficiently with much lower core mass than would be required for a transformer operating at mains frequency.
==Pictures==
'''503'''
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:RM503 5.JPG|RM503 front panel 1
Tek 503 corner.jpg
Image:RM503 front.jpg|RM503 front panel 2
Tek 503 trace.jpg
Image:RM503 1.JPG|RM503 top view
Tek_503_1.jpeg
Image:RM503 bottom.jpg|RM503 bottom view 1
Tek 503 atten.jpg   |Compensated input attenuator
Image:RM503 3.JPG|RM503 bottom view 2
Tek_503_controls.jpg
Image:RM503 back.jpg|RM503 rear panel
Tek 503 right.jpg   |503 right side
Image:RM503 4.JPG|RM503 with rear panel input connector option
Tek_503_2.jpeg      | 503 left side
Image:Tek 503 b2.jpg|503
Tek 503 top.jpg     | 503 top
File:503 ps.png|power supply schematic
Tek 503 rear.jpg    | 503 rear
Tek 503 trace d.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>


'''RM503'''
<gallery>
Tek rm503 trace.jpg
RM503 5.JPG      | RM503 front panel 1
RM503 front.jpg  | RM503 front panel 2
RM503 1.JPG      | RM503 top view
RM503 bottom.jpg  | RM503 bottom view 1
RM503 3.JPG      | RM503 bottom view 2
RM503 back.jpg    | RM503 rear panel
RM503 4.JPG      | RM503 with rear panel input connector option
Tek rm503 34.jpg
Tek rm503 34r.jpg
Gray rm503.jpg
tek_black_rm503_1.jpg
tek_black_rm503_2.jpg
Tek rm503 flat trace.jpg
Honeysuckle Creek tracking station - Receivers.jpg | RM503 scopes in the receiver consoles at Apollo tracking station Honeysuckle Creek, Australia –  https://honeysucklecreek.net/station/ops_areas.html
</gallery>
<!--
<!--
   Unused images:
   Unused images:
   Image:Tek 503 b1.jpg|503
   Tek 503 b1.jpg|503
   Image:RM503 top.jpg|RM503
   Tek 503 b2.jpg |503
   Image:RM503 closeup.jpg|RM503
  RM503 top.jpg|RM503
   RM503 closeup.jpg|RM503
-->
-->
'''Schematics'''
<gallery>
503 ps.png|power supply schematic
</gallery>
==Components==
{{Parts|503}}
[[Category:Monolithic tube scopes]]

Latest revision as of 03:22, 24 June 2024

Tektronix 503
450 kHz differential-input scope
Tektronix 503

Produced from 1960 to 1973

Manuals
Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix Type 503 is a low-cost, low-bandwidth monolithic oscilloscope introduced in 1960 specializing in X-Y mode but also containing a sweep circuit. It features differential signal inputs.

There is a similar sister model, the 504, with single-ended inputs. A rack-mount version, the RM503, was also available.

The 503 features two identical phase matched amplifiers with true differential inputs. The scope has a bandwidth specification of 450 kHz and sensitivity to 1 mV/cm. Due to is its low bandwidth, the 503 can operate at high sensitivities while not responding to interference from broadcast transmitter RF fields, making it suitable for biomedical work.

In 1960, the 503 cost $625 ($6,600 in 2024 dollars) versus, for example, 516 which cost $1000 (2024: $10,600).

A large market for the 503 was in electronics labs of educational institutions. The differential inputs are useful for junior students to experiment with observing voltages not referenced to ground.

Key Specifications

Bandwidth DC to 450 kHz (AC coupled 10 Hz)
Deflection 1 mV/div to 20 V/div, 1–2–5, and 2.5:1 variable
Inputs 1 MΩ // 47 pF; max. 350 V (DC + peak AC)
CMRR 100:1 in 1 mV/div to 200 mV/div, 30:1 above (all at ≤50 kHz)
Phase <1° to 450 kHz in 1 mV/div to 200 mV/div (equal X and Y sensitivity, variable in CAL, like polarities, DC coupling); <2° to 50 kHz in 500 mv/div to 20 V/div)
Sweep 1 μs/div to 5 s/div, 1−2−5, variable 2.5:1, magnifier ×2, ×5, ×10, ×20, ×50
Trigger Internal, 0.5 div from 50 Hz to 50 kHz, increasing to 2 div at 450 kHz; external 0.5 V from 50 Hz to 450 kHz
CRT T5030, 3 kV (no post-deflection acceleration), P2 phosphor standard

Links

Documents Referencing 503

(no results)

Internals

The 503 is mostly a vacuum tube design with a differential transistor stage following the differential input amplifiers.

The power supply design is unique in that unlike other scopes where the high frequency transformer only generates the CRT operating voltages, in the 503 it generates all the operating voltages other than the two filament circuits which are supplied by the AC mains power transformer. It is basically a tube-based (secondary) switch-mode power supply (SMPS). A 6DQ6 power pentode, V620, feeds switched primary current to transformer T620. The switching frequency of V620 is between 25 kHz and 30 kHz, enabling T620 to operate efficiently with much lower core mass than would be required for a transformer operating at mains frequency.

Pictures

503

RM503

Schematics

Components

Some Parts Used in the 503

Part Part Number(s) Class Description Used in
5642 154-0051-00 154-0079-00 Vacuum Tube (Diode) directly-heated high-voltage rectifier 310 310A 316 317 360 453 502 502A 503 504 506 513 515 516 524 529 RM529 533 533A 535 536 543 543A 543B 545 545A 545B 547 551 555 556 560 561 561A 561S 564 567 570 575 581 581A 585 585A 647 647A
5651 154-052 154-0052-00 154-0288-00 Gas Discharge Tube (Voltage regulator) 87 V voltage reference 128 160 310 310A 502 503 504 511A 512 516 517 524 526 531 531A 535 536 541 541A 543 543A 543B 545 545A 545B 570 549 581 581A 585 585A
6AL5 154-016 154-0016-00 154-0038-00 Vacuum Tube (Dual Diode) high-perveance dual diode 163 181 190 1M1 310 310A 315 316 317 3B1 3B1S 3B2 3B3 3B5 502 502A 503 511 511A 512 516 517 517A 524 526 535 535A 545 545A 549 551 565 570 581 581A 585 585A C T Telequipment D52 Telequipment D56 Telequipment S52
6BC7 154-0232-00 Vacuum Tube (Diode) triple diode 503 504 565 67 2B67
6BJ7 154-0453-00 Vacuum Tube (Diode) triple diode 503 526 565
6BL8 154-0278-00 Vacuum Tube (Triode/Pentode) triode-pentode combo 67 2B67 3B1 3B1S 3B2 3B3 3B4 503 504 506 516 549 561 561A 561S 564 565 567 Telequipment D52 Telequipment D56 Telequipment S31 Telequipment S32 Telequipment S32A Telequipment S51 Telequipment S52
6CB6A 154-0030-00 Vacuum Tube (Pentode) pentode 105 112 316 317 503 504 513 517 517A 541 535 545 63 2A63
6DJ8 154-0187-00 154-0305-00 Vacuum Tube (Dual Triode) dual triode 067-506 111 132 161 310A 316 317 502 502A 503 504 506 515 516 519 526 529 RM529 533 535 536 543 544 545 545A 545B 546 547 549 555 556 561A 561S 564 565 567 581 581A 585 585A 661 1A4 1S1 60 2A60 63 2A63 67 2B67 3A1 3A1S 3A2 3A3 3A6 3A7 72 3A72 75 3A75 4S2 51 3B1 3B1S 3B2 3B3 3B4 3M1 3S76 3T77 3T77A 9A1 9A2 1121 80 81 82 86 B O W Z Telequipment D56 Telequipment S32A Telequipment D52 S-311 Telequipment TD51 Telequipment S52 Telequipment S51 Telequipment Type A TU-4
6DK6 154-0149-00 154-0367-00 Vacuum Tube (Pentode) high-frequency miniature pentode 180 503 513 514 541 543 535 545 545A 551 555
6DQ6 154-0277-00 Vacuum Tube (Pentode) power pentode 503 504
8393 154-0461-00 Vacuum Tube (Triode) Nuvistor triode 453 454 1A6 1A7 503
T5030 154-0264-00 154-0265-00 154-0266-00 154-0267-00 154-0341-00 CRT CRT 503 504 560 561 661