533

Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix Type 533 is a 15 MHz oscilloscope introduced in 1958 that uses letter-series and 1-series plug-ins.

It is similar to a 535, but without the second, delayed timebase. Instead, it has a range of horizontal magnifiers from ×2 to ×100.

There is also a rack-mount version, the RM33. Later 533A have BNC connectors. The standard CRT for the 533 and 533A is the T5330-2. The difference between the 533 and 533A is only the trigger mode.

Key Specifications

Bandwidth	DC to 15 MHz (≤ 3 dB) with Type K plug-in
Rise time	0.024 μs
Line Voltage	108/115/122/216/230/244 VAC ±10%, selected via soldering wire on transformer, 50 Hz to 60 Hz
Thermal Protection	Automatic resetting thermal cutout, in case internal temperature exceeds safe operating level
Power Consumption	500 W with CA plug-in
Cooling	AC Fan
Trigger Modes (533)	AC/DC/AC Slow, and HF Sync
Trigger Modes (533A)	AC/DC/AC LF Reject, and HF Sync
Anode Potential	10 kV
Screen Area	6 cm × 10 cm
Construction	Aluminum alloy chassis. Anodized front panel
Weight	61.5 lbs / 27.8 kg

Prices

533 Year Catalog price In 2026 dollars 1959 $1,100 ~$12,300

RM33 Year Catalog price In 2026 dollars 1959 $1,200 ~$13,400

Internals

The vertical amplifier consists of a 12BY7 differential amplifier followed by a 6DJ8 cathode-follower, followed by a 6197 differential (common-cathode) output stage that drives the 200 ns L-C delay line, which drives the vertical deflection plates of the CRT.

Trigger pickoff is taken after the cathode follower stage in the vertical amplifier. There is a 6DJ8 differential trigger pickoff amplifier followed by half of a 6DJ8 a cathode follower, buffering the trigger signal.

The trigger circuit is a 6DJ8 trigger amplifier followed by a 6DJ8 Schmitt trigger. Triggering can be from the internal pickoff or from an external signal, or "line" trigger via a 6.3 V tap on the power transformer.

The 533 contains a 53 °C (128 °F) thermal cutoff. The high voltages for the CRT, +8,650 V and −1,350 V, are generated by a 60 kHz Hartley power oscillator and five 5642 high-voltage rectifier diode tubes.

Pictures

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  front from different 533A

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  533A delay line

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  533A delay line

Some Parts Used in the 533

Some Parts Used in the 533A