Some time ago, [javadesigner] asked something that no doubt many of you have been wondering: Do Oscilloclocks emit radiation?

Had a question about oscilloscopes – specifically cathode-ray tubes (CRTs). X-rays etc were discovered in similar tubes, and I’ve read that high kV tubes produce both beta and X-ray radiation.

… Have you ever measured x-ray emissivity with CRTs, and if so, are there any mitigation strategies – especially for X-rays? Leaded glass enclosures, etc.?

Great question!

Fortunately the answer is a clear NO. Our hand-crafted Oscilloclocks do not emit dangerous radiation.

The general rule of thumb with CRTs (in fact, any electrical equipment operated in a vacuum) is that X-ray emission is negligible at anode voltages less than around 10kV. The accelerated electron beam simple does not have enough energy to generate X-rays when striking the phosphor screen.

But above 10kV, X-rays can and are produced as a result of the higher-energy bombardment. The high-voltage CRTs used in television and computer monitors of the day always incorporated lead glass (strontium-barium glass), to block these X-rays. (And… to protect against implosion!)

In any case, all Oscilloclocks operate at voltages well below 10kV, so this does not become an issue.

Thats right – whether we craft your custom timepiece from a behemoth 6498 (at left, operating at 6 kilovolts), a delightful D4P (3kV), a sleek 3WP1 (1.5kV), a cute 50SB1 (1kV) or an eentsy-weentsy CV2302 (500V), you’ll be illuminated but never irradiated.

---

Fascinated by electron beams and phosphor bombardment? Do you have a question that everyone else wants to ask? Query away, we love Q&A!