503

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

• Tektronix Type 503 Electrical Troubleshooting And Repair by Mr Carlson's Lab @ YouTube

Documents Referencing 503

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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

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  Compensated input attenuator

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  503 right side

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  503 left side

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  503 top

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  503 rear

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RM503

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  RM503 front panel 1

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  RM503 front panel 2

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  RM503 top view

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  RM503 bottom view 1

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  RM503 bottom view 2

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  RM503 rear panel

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  RM503 with rear panel input connector option

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  RM503 scopes in the receiver consoles at Apollo tracking station Honeysuckle Creek, Australia – https://honeysucklecreek.net/station/ops_areas.html

Schematics

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  power supply schematic