Vibrator (electronic)

In early electronics vibrators were used in inverter circuits to provide an alternating current (AC) electric power supply from a direct current (DC) source.

The primary use for this type of circuit was for vacuum tube type automobile radios. Vacuum tubes require relatively high voltages ranging from about 45 volts to 450 volts in consumer electronics. For portable radios, hearing aids and similar equipment, B batteries were manufactured with various voltage ratings. In order to provide the necessary voltage for a radio from the typical 6 volt DC supply available in a car, it was necessary to convert the DC supply to AC and use a transformer to increase the voltage.

The rapid motion of the vibrator was used to operate a switch. The switch was used to alternate the connection of the 6 volt DC power between two terminals of a transformer, in effect, supplying an AC input voltage to the transformer. The transformer produced a higher voltage AC supply at its output terminals. This arrangement is a simple type of inverter circuit. The vibrator switches used for this purpose were usually encased in a steel or aluminum can equipped with a plug for mounting in a tube socket.

See also

• Mechanical rectifier

References

• Bedford, B. D.; Hoft, R. G. et al (1964). Principles of Inverter Circuits. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. 0 471 06134 4. 

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