VALVE TESTER V T -1000 ENGLISH 1
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 Thank You! Our commitment to craftsmanship and quality control has allowed our amplifiers to stand the test of time, giving their owners as much pleasure now, as the day they were bought. To maintain this level of excellence, each Orange amplifier is put through many rigorous test procedures before leaving the factory. ENGLISH Since 1968 when the company was founded, Orange has been a pioneering force in the guitar amplification industry.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 CONTENTS ENGLISH Contact Details ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Important Safety Instructions ................................................................................................................. 5 How Does The Orange VT1000 Differ From Other Commercially Available Valve Testers? .................. 7 Before Using Your VT1000 .......................................
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 CONTACT DETAILS ENGLISH Global Headquarters Orange Amplification OMEC House 108 Ripon Way Borehamwood Hertfordshire WD6 2JA ENGLAND Tel: +44 20 8905 2828 Fax: +44 20 8905 2868 info@omec.com Orange USA 2065 Peachtree Industrial Ct. Suite 208 Atlanta, GA 30341 USA Tel: 1-404-303-8196 Fax: 1-404-303-7176 info@orangeusa.com Orange Music Electronic (Jiaxing) Ltd No 55 Development Zone Road Huimin Economic Development Zone Jiashan Zhejiang 314112 China infochina@orangeamps.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle and “WARNING” are intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating instructions. Failure to heed the Instructions will result in severe injury or death.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 Do not open the equipment case. There are no user serviceable parts in this product. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Unauthorised modification of this equipment will invalidate any warranty. If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions are followed, then refer the product to an authorised service engineer.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 HOW DOES THE ORANGE VT1000 DIFFER FROM OTHER COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE VALVE TESTERS? ENGLISH Commercial valve testers have been available, almost since valves were invented, incorporating many excellent techniques and designs over the years.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 The test then proceeds without any further user input and elapsed time is shown on the LED display during the test, when one of three LED’s is lit to indicate a ‘Good’, ‘Worn’ or ‘Fail’ condition. ENGLISH In addition, the LED display indicates a ‘matching number’ which is based on a summation of the many results obtained during the test and has been specifically designed to reflect the operation of the valve, according to its normal function in an audio amplifier.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 BEFORE USING YOUR VT1000 When in use the VT1000 is taking thousands of micro measurements and performing over 20 tests in order to grade your valves. These tests measure very small voltage and current changes under high impedance conditions, which means a number of external factors can affect the end results. ENGLISH With the VT1000, Orange has designed a compact, safe and simple alternative to the large, dangerous and complicated valve testers of the past.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 4. The grading/matching system, explained later in the User Manual (pp. 16-18), is based on a decision made after performing over 20 tests at the conditions at that given time. For this reason and the sensitive nature of valves (particularly 12AX7/ECC83s) some slight variance may be seen during testing. If this is observed allow the valve to cool, move the VT1000 into an area of constant conditions and re-test. ENGLISH 3. Do not test hot or warm valves.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS C ENGLISH A B D E A B C D E F G F G Description Valve socket for octal power valves Valve socket for EL84 valves Valve socket for pre-amp valves Selected valve type text (both UK and US) Valve matching value (range between 1 & 15) Valve status result: good, worn & fail Control buttons. Centre button selects valve type and starts the test. The two outer buttons move valve selection from right to left.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 WHAT WILL MY VT1000 TEST? Testing sequences include: Heater filament test: Short circuit Heater filament test: Open circuit Heater filament test: Tolerance check Heater cathode insulation: Leakage Heater cathode insulation: Short Circuit Tests for heater current abnormalities Amplification factor Voltage gain Power gain Screen grid test Mutual conductance test Dual test for double triodes Emission Inter electrode leakage Inter electrode short circuit
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 VALVE SOCKETS & VALVE SELECTION VALVE SOCKETS: EL34/6CA7; EL34L; 6L6; 6V6/6V6GTA; KT66; KT77; KT88; 6550; 5881 Valve socket 2 (middle) for EL84 valves ENGLISH Valve socket 1 (far left) for octal power valves EL84/6BQ5 Valve socket 3 (far right) for pre-amp valves ECC81/12AT7; ECC82/12AU7; ECC83/12AX7; ECC99; 12BH7 PHYSICALLY DAMAGED VALVES: No damage will occur to the VT1000 by testing faulty or damaged valves.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 USING YOUR VALVE TESTER Octal power valves such as EL34s, KT66 etc… use valve socket 1 EL84 valves use valve socket 2 Preamp valves use valve socket 3 ENGLISH Step 1: Decide what valve you would like to test and identify what valve test socket is required for the test. Step 2: Carefully insert the valve into the correct valve socket and ensure it is seated flat. Valves must be tested at room temperature.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 Test Status ENGLISH Step 5: Once the test completes and the green, yellow or red indicator lights, then the test is finished; however, as valves may get hot during the test, we recommend that you make sure that the glass envelope is cool before attempting to remove it. In any case, we recommend the use of protective gloves when handling valves. GREEN - If a green LED is illuminated this indicates that the valve is GOOD.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 VALVE MATCHING VALUE A ‘matching number’ indicated by the LED(s) at the end of the test, is based on a combination of measured parameters to give an indication of how the valve will perform, according to its typical function in an amplifier. ENGLISH VALVE MATCHING VALUE After the valve has been tested, the tester will assign a matching number ranging from 1 to 15. Basically: the higher the value, the higher the gain of the valve.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 VALVE MATCHING VALUE FOR DOUBLE TRIODE (PRE-AMP VALVES) ENGLISH Double triode (pre-amp valves) have two valves inside one envelope i.e. an A & B side. After the VT1000 has tested a double triode (providing that the valve passes) two matching value LEDs will illuminate. For section A the LED will flash and for section B the LED will be constant. If only one constant LED is illuminated, this means that both sides of the valve are the same.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 VALVE MATCHING VALUE FOR DOUBLE TRIODE (PRE-AMP VALVES) CONTINUED… ENGLISH Due to the concise nature of the LED display, occasional very slight matching value variations may be observed in some pre-amp valves. For example, one side of a pre-amp valve may display a higher or lower value on a subsequent test (no more than a single digit). In this instance, the side showing the variation is straddling the boundary between grades.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 FAQ Why do I need a valve tester when I can test old or suspect valves in an amplifier? ENGLISH There are several reasons why old or suspect valves should not be ‘tested’ directly in an amplifier. Valves can have many different fault conditions; some are obvious, such as internal arcing or interelectrode short circuits. These fault conditions may cause serious damage to other components in the amplifier.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 Some faulty valves fail at different stages in the test, is this normal? If I accidentally plug a double triode into the EL84 socket or vice versa, will any damage be caused either to the valve or to the VT1000? ENGLISH Yes, the VT1000 automatically performs many tests on the valve whilst the LED bar-graph elapsed time indicator is running. If the valve fails at any point, the test is automatically terminated and the red ‘FAIL’ LED illuminated.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 FREE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER Valves supplied with an Orange amp or purchased separately at our online store are covered for 90 days from the date of purchase. ENGLISH The Orange VT1000 valve tester is under warranty for one year subject to consumer protection laws in the country of purchase and distributor’s terms and conditions. An additional year can be added by registering your product online.
VALVE TESTER V T -1000 NEWS AND MERCHANDISE Our website is a great place to view high resolution images of our products, hear sound clips of our amplifiers, view important Orange news releases and read 3rd party product reviews. We also sell merchandise and certain products online such as Valves, clothes, books, footswitches, spare knobs and dials are available from many music retailers as well as direct from orange. Visit us at www.orangeamps.com and also to access our secure online shop.