507
The Tektronix Type 507, introduced in 1959, was designed for surge testing in the power industry. Chuck Nolan led development of the 507.
The scope was intended to operate in an environment of strong electromagnetic fields. It does not take plug-ins. The power supply is external, as with the 517, 551, and 555 instruments.
The vertical signal path of the 507 does not contain amplifiers. It has a 5 nanosecond risetime. The input impedance of the 507 is 72 Ω. The maximum sensitivity is deliberately low, at 50 V/cm.
The input attenuator is very unusual for Tek scopes. It is a switch with ten positions in "% of signal", where each step is 10%. The deflection signal is permanently AC-coupled and, unusually, the DC blocking capacitor is after the input attenuator.
The 507 has a total acceleration voltage of 24 kV, produced by four 1X2 tubes. The lower-voltage power supplies, located in the external box, are all tube except for selenium rectifiers for some of the lower voltages.
The 507 uses the T507 CRT.
Links
Documents referencing 507
| Document | Class | Title | Authors | Year | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Scope 17 Dec 1962.pdf | Article | Questions from the Field | 1962 | 507 • 181 | |
| Service Scope 18 Feb 1963.pdf | Article | Anode-Connector Arcing in the Type 507 Oscilloscope | 1963 | 507 |
Prices
| Year | Catalog price | In 2026 dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | $3,000 | ~$34,000 |
Pictures
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507
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507 with 202 cart
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507
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507 power supply
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507 power supply bottom
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507 power supply
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507 power supply
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507 power supply
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507 rear
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507 right internal
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507 right internal
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507 top
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507 bottom
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507 on Cart
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507 with Power Supply
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507 at General Electric
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Block Diagram
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Sweep Trigger and Trip Pulse
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Time Mark Generator
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Vertical Deflection
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Horizontal Amplifier
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CRT Circuit
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Heater Wiring
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Power Supply
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Input Attenuator. The two unconnected wires at the right side are the CRT vertical deflection plate connection.
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Input Attenuator. The thicker coax with the copper braid is the input signal. The thinner coax with the steel braid comes from the internal time mark generator.
Some Parts Used in the 507
| Part | Part Number(s) | Class | Description | Used in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12AU7 | 154-041 • 154-0041-00 • 154-0287-00 | Vacuum Tube (Dual Triode) | dual medium-μ triode | 104 • 104A • 122 • 160 • 161 • 162 • 180 • 180A • 181 • 190 • 310 • 310A • 316 • 317 • 3C66 • 502 • 502A • 507 • 511A • 512 • 514 • 514D • 514AD • 515 • 515A • 516 • 517 • 517A • 524 • 526 • 531A • RM31A • 532 • 535 • 535A • RM35A • 536 • 544 • 546 • 545 • 545A • 545B • 547 • 549 • 555 • 561 • 564 • 570 • 575 • 581 • 581A • 585 • 585A • C • D • E • N • Q • Hickok 1825 • Keithley 660A • Pentrix L20 • Pentrix L30 |
| 1X2 | 154-0005-00 | Vacuum Tube (Diode) | high-voltage rectifier | 420 • 507 • 565 |
| 6AQ5 | 154-017 • 154-0017-00 | Vacuum Tube (Pentode) | beam pentode | 180 • 310 • 310A • 316 • 360 • 507 • 511A • 512 • 515 • 515A • 516 • 517 • 517A • 524 • 525 • 532 • 536 • 570 • 575 |
| 6AU5 | 154-021 • 154-0021-00 | Vacuum Tube (Pentode) | 10 W beam power pentode | 507 • 513 • 515 • 515A • 516 • 517 • 517A • 531 • 531A • RM31A • 535 • 535A • RM35A • 535 • 541 • 544 • 546 • 545 • 547 • 581 • 581A • 585 • 585A |
| 6C4 | 154-029 • 154-0029-00 | Vacuum Tube (Triode) | VHF triode | 180 • 190 • 3B2 • 507 • 511 • 511A • 514 • 514D • 514AD • 517 • 517A • Chemtrix 205 |
| T507 | CRT | 507 |