12AL5 Westinghouse Vacuum Tube | Vacuum Tube Twin Diode NOS

The 12AL5 Westinghouse Vacuum Tube is a miniature twin diode primarily designed for signal detection and Automatic Gain Control (AGC) circuits. Thanks to its compact 7-pin design (heptal base), it features extremely low interelectrode capacitance, delivering exceptional performance in both radio (RF) and video frequency applications.

12AL5 Westinghouse Vacuum Tube Condition

This unit is New Old Stock (NOS), meaning it has never been used. It is preserved in its original Westinghouse box, featuring the brand’s iconic design. It has undergone rigorous testing on a professional tube tester, yielding Full Emission results, ensuring its electrical specifications remain identical to the day of manufacture.

(Datasheet Summary)

• Type: Twin Diode

• Base: 7-Pin Miniature (Button 7-Pin, 7BK).

• Heater Voltage: 12.6 Volts (AC/DC).

• Heater Current: 0.15 Amperes.

• Maximum Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV): 330V.

• Plate Current per section: 9mA (DC).

• <Plate-to-Plate Capacitance: < 0.1 pF (Extremely low).

• Configuration: Independent cathodes for each diode

Uses and Applications

1. AM/FM Detection: Widely used in vintage radio receivers.

2. TV Discriminator Circuits: Essential for the restoration of mid-century tube televisions.

3. Test Equipment: Used in vintage Vacuum Tube Voltmeters (VTVM).

4. Vintage Audio: Used in specialized preamplifier designs as a signal limiter or low-level signal rectifier.

Manufacturer History

Westinghouse Electric Corporation, founded by George Westinghouse in 1886, was a global pioneer in the electrical industry. During the Golden Age of vacuum tubes, their components were manufactured under strict military and commercial standards in the USA. Westinghouse tubes are highly regarded by audiophiles and collectors for their superior material purity and exceptional filament longevity. Owning a Westinghouse tube is more than just a replacement; it is possessing a piece of American engineering history

(FAQ)

What does NOS NIB mean?
“It stands for New Old Stock (NOS) and New In Box (NIB). This refers to a component that was manufactured decades ago but has never been sold to a retail customer or put into service, remaining in its original factory packaging in pristine, unused condition.”

Is the 12AL5 Westinghouse vacuum tube compatible with the 6AL5?
They share the same electrical functions and pinout, but they are not direct drop-in replacements. The 12AL5 requires a 12.6V heater voltage, whereas the 6AL5 operates at 6.3V. Always verify your transformer’s heater winding voltage before installation to avoid damaging the component or your equipment.

How is the performance of the tube guaranteed?
Every unit has been verified using a professional-grade tube tester. The results confirm ‘Full Emission,’ guaranteeing that the cathode is in excellent condition and the vacuum tube will perform according to its original factory specifications.

Why choose Westinghouse over other brands?
Westinghouse is renowned for its superior quality control during the golden age of vacuum tubes. Their components offer higher thermal stability and a lower noise floor in detector and signal processing circuits, ensuring more reliable performance and a longer lifespan compared to other manufacturers.