ultralinear question- percentage

[imaradiostar]

I have a very large potted "audio development company" output transformer with 5k and 3.5k taps. Would the 3.5k taps be usable as ultralinear taps for KT88's or some other large output tubes? 3.5k is about 70% of 5k but the turns ratio is about 6:7 between the 3.5k and 5k plate windings.

When most data sheets call for 43% or so does that mean impedance or turns/voltage ratio? Does this render my 3.5k taps useless?

thoughts?

jamie

[Old Tele man]

...the UL "tap" characteristics are a (TR^2) function, just like other OT Pri-to-Sec relationships.

...the 43% applies to the Vp and to the OTs' turn-ratio (TR), ie: 43% of Vp.total and 43% of TR

...while 18.5% applies to the Zp; ie: Zp = 18.5% of Ztotal.

[imaradiostar]

I forgot to mention before but thanks for the clarification.

I'm guessing it's not worth using the lower z taps for anything other than lower z plate loads.

jamie

[Old Tele man]

...some people have used them with tubes having much lower plate impedances...ala' simultaneous operation of 6L6 (rp = 22.5K) and 6V6 (rp = 10K), etc.

...however, the much greater plate current of the 6L6 will certainly dominate the 6V6's lower plate current levels.