FCC Exam Question: 6A384

A series-fed plate circuit of a vacuum tube amplifier has a short circuit of the plate bypass capacitor.What happened?

A. It would short out the power supply
B. It would remove the plate voltage
C. It would possibly damage the power supply
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D

Explanation: In a series-fed plate circuit, the plate bypass capacitor is connected in parallel with the plate load (often an RF choke) and provides a low-impedance path for RF currents to ground, preventing them from circulating through the DC power supply. Simultaneously, it allows the DC plate voltage (B+) to reach the tube. If this capacitor shorts, it creates a direct, very low-resistance path between the B+ line from the power supply and ground (or the circuit's common reference point). This effectively: * **Shorts out the power supply** by creating an unintended direct path for current. * Causes the power supply's output voltage to drop significantly, thereby **removing the plate voltage** from the vacuum tube. * Draws excessive current from the power supply, which can lead to overheating, blowing fuses, or damaging internal components like rectifiers or transformers, thus **possibly damaging the power supply**. Since all these outcomes are direct consequences of a shorted plate bypass capacitor, "All of the above" is the correct and comprehensive answer.

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Includes Elements 1, 3, 6, 7R, 8, and 9.