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T-109
Polar relay tester

9.T.mse.190a, abbreviated T-109, 1 is a relay tester (German: Relaisprüfer) with built-in CRT, introduced around 1961 by Siemens & Halske in München (Germany). It is suitable for testing and aligning most popular Siemens polar relays that were manufactured between 1930 and 1980.

The device is housed in a two-part grey or black metal enclosure that measures 265 × 190 × 180 mm and weights 7.3 kg. The upper part is a hin­ged cover, that can be opened by releasing the lock at the front. All controls and connections are at the top panel. The power cable is stowed in the lid. It is suitable for 110-240V AC mains.

At the front are two relay sockets: for for the older 8-pin types (right) and one for modern Siemens relays (left). For each relay type, a plug-in (containing a resistor) should be installed in the 3-pin socket marked Vorsteckwiderstand.
  

Once the relay under test and the correct plug-in resistor have been installed, the device can be switched on. The relay will be tested with a switching frequency of 25 Hz (half the 50Hz of the AC mains network), and the result is shown on the circular cathode ray tube (CRT) at the top left. The display simultaneously shows the relay's transition time, the distortion and the contact bounce. 2 By reversing the polarity (Umpolung) it is possible to check the symmetry of the relay under test.

  1. Also known as Kathodenstrahl-Relaisprüfer 109 (cathode ray tube relay tester 109).
  2. In German specified as: Umschlagzeit, Neutralverzerrung und Prellung.

T-109 in closed case
T-109 with opened lid
T-109 relay tester with open lid
T-109 with plug-in and relay-under-test
T-109 without lid
T-109 with plug-in and relay-under-test
Case lid
Inside the case lid
Two relay sockets
CRT display
Front panel
Old type relays
New type relays
Plug-in installed
Collection of plug-ins
Black version of the T-109
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T-109 in closed case
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T-109 with opened lid
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T-109 relay tester with open lid
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T-109 with plug-in and relay-under-test
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T-109 without lid
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T-109 with plug-in and relay-under-test
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Case lid
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Inside the case lid
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Two relay sockets
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CRT display
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Front panel
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Old type relays
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New type relays
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Plug-in installed
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Collection of plug-ins
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Black version of the T-109

Features
The image below shows the control panel of the T-109, which is located at the top of the device. All controls and connections are on this panel. Before using the device, it's important to check the setting of the mains voltage selector at the bottom right. For continental Europe, it should be set to 240V. Next, the correct plug-in for the relay under test should be installed in the socket mar­ked Vorsteckwiderstand. If this plug-in is missing, it can easily be created as described below.


At the bottom are two different sockets, one of which should be suitable for the relay under test. Old polar relay types with eight 4 mm pins at the bottom, such as the Trls-43a, can be in­stal­led in the rightmost socket. 1 Modern relays, like the Trls-63a, are installed in the leftmost one.


When testing a relay, the display shows the voltage on the central contact of the relay's SPDT switch whilst it toggles between MARK (-30V) and SPACE (+30V) at 25 Hz. For clarity, we have shown the MARK signal in blue and the SPACE signal in red, in the diagram above. In reality the display shows them as two alternating green lines. If you only want to see only one of the two signals, set the switch Verzerrung to the upper position (SPACE) or the lower position (MARK).

  1. Note that the 8-pin socket for the older relay types might be missing from certain versions of the device, such as the English labelled variant of the 5634/10-V.

Plug-ins
For each type of polar relay, a matching plug-in should be installed in the socket marked Vorsteckwiderstand, at the upper edge of the control panel. The plug-in consists of a power resistor, that is housed inside a Siemens TF-plug (German: TF-Stecker), as shown below.

One side of the plug shows the ordering number (e.g. 9T Bv 39/2406), whilst the other one shows the type of relay it should be paired with — for example: T.rls.64. The plug has three pins, but only two are used. These are the two adjacent pins with the largest spacing. The third pin is not connected and is used as a mounting stub only.

The plug contains a power resistor of a specific value, that is connected in series with the coil of the relay under test. Without the plug-in, it will not work, as there will be no current flowing through the relay (see the circuit diagram).
  

If a suitable plug-in is missing, it can easily be created from an old TF-plug in which a resistor is soldered across the two pins with the largest spacing, using the drawing and the table below as a guide. As TF-plugs are hard to find these days, it can be replaced by two regular banana plugs.


The diagram above shows the internal construction of a plug-in. It bascially contains a single resistor (R) that is connected to the rightmost two pins. However, as the required value has to be met relatively accurately, it is in most cases constructed from two resistors (R1 and R2) that are connected in series. As the leftmost contact is unused — it is not wired inside the T-109 — it is used as a mounting stub for both resistors. The table below shows the known plug-ins with the value of the resistors (R = R1 + R2). The value of R1 is ±0.2%, whilst the value of R2 is ±0.5%.

 
Old types
Relay # of   Plug-in Resistor [Ω] Example  
Model Version coils   Type R R1 R2 Used in ... 1
T.rls.39b2 T Bv 4/155 2   ? ? ? ? T-36  
T.rls.39b2 T Bv 4/266 2   ? ? ? ? T-36  
T.rls.43a T.Bv.4/302 2   ? ? ? ?    
T.rls.43a T.Bv.4/308 2   ? ? ? ? T-52  
 
New types
Relay # of   Plug-in Resistor [Ω] Example  
Model Version coils   Type R R1 R2 Used in ... 1
T.rls.63a T Bv 3302/1 7   9T Bv 39/2417 1k4 1k 400  
T.rls.63a T Bv 3302/5 2   9T Bv 39/2441 11k6 10k 1k6  
T.rls.63a T Bv 3302/19 2   9T Bv 39/2422 2k83 2k 845  
T.rls.63a T Bv 3302/21 3   9T Bv 39/2423 4k8 4k 800  
T.rls.63a T Bv 3302/36 2   9T Bv 39/2405 1k 600 400 T-56
T.rls.63a T Bv 3302/37 2   9T Bv 39/2425 3k45 3k 450  
T.rls.63a T Bv 3302/63 3   9T Bv 39/2406 1k 600 400  
T.rls.63a T Bv 3302/81 3   9T Bv 39/2430 1k 600 400  
T.rls.64a T Bv 3402/1 7   9T Bv 39/2404 9k6 8k 1k6 T-56
T.rls.64a T Bv 3402/7 2   9T Bv 39/2408 18k5 16k 2k5 T-109
T.rls.64a T Bv 3402/14 ?   9T Bv 39/2410 43k 40k 3k  
T.rls.64a T Bv 3402/24 ?   9T Bv 39/2413 64k 60k 4k  
T.rls.64a T Bv 3402/35 2   9T Bv 39/2414 59k 50k 9k  
T.rls.64a T Bv 3418/65 3   9T Bv 39/2438 25k5 25k 500  
T.rls.67a T Bv 3702/5 2   9T Bv 39/2417 1k4 1k 400    
  1. The rightmost column shows the plug-ins that we have in our collection.

Old relay types (the 43-series) are usually beyond repair. This is caused by ageing and loss of magneti­sa­tion. Although it is possible to re-adjust such relays within the specified boundaries, they will usually lose their alignment within days or even hours. In such cases it is recommended to replace it with a solid state polar relay, such as the one described here.

 Solid state replacement for the Trls-43a

T-109 with plug-in and relay-under-test
Plug-in installed
Three different plug-ins
Front and back of a plug-in
Plug-in resistor
Inside the plug-in
Collection of plug-ins
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T-109 with plug-in and relay-under-test
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Plug-in installed
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Three different plug-ins
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Front and back of a plug-in
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Plug-in resistor
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Inside the plug-in
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Collection of plug-ins

Circuit diagram
Below is a simplified circuit diagram of the T-109. At the left is the mains power transformer, which has three secondary windings — one for each of the sub-circuits. The first sub-circuit is the f → f/2 converter that provides the 25 Hz switching frequency. This is done by dividing the 50 Hz mains frequency by two, by means of an internal polar relay. The 25 Hz voltage is filtered (LPF) and then fed — via plug-in resistor Rp — to the coil of the relay under test, at the far right.


The second sub-circuit is a power supply unit (PSU) that provides the voltages (Vy) for the vertical de­flection of the oscilloscope. It is passed through the single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch of the relay under test. As the relay's coil is driven at 25 Hz, the switch alternates at 25 Hz as well.

The third sub-circuit controls the horizontal deflection of the oscilloscope (Vx). It determines the phase reference for the test. A full description of the sub-circuits is beyond the scope of this web page. It can be found in the manuals [A][B]. Note that apart from the CRT and several diodes, the device is entirely built with passive components — there are no valves (tubes) or transistors.

 German manual
 English manual


Video
Good relay
This short video clip shows what a good polar re­lay should look like on the Siemens T-109 relay tester. In this case, the curve is perfect and al­most symmetric. This relay is suitable for use in teleprinters and other telegraphic equipment.

Source
Crypto Museum

Date
16 September 2024

  

Dodgy relay
This short video clip shows what a dodgy polar relay looks like on the Siemens T-109 relay tes­ter. In this case, the relay is far from symmetric, and one of the contact bounces heavily. It might not be good enough for use in teleprinters and teleprinter connection devices.

Source
Crypto Museum

Date
16 September 2024

  

Bad relay
This short video clip shows the behaviour of an old Siemens T.rls.43a relay, taken from a T-52 (Geheim­schreiber). In this case, the relay is so bad that is is unusable. T.rls.43a relays are known to behave badly after so many years. They are notorious for problems with teleprinters like the T-36 and cipher machines like the T-52.

Source
Crypto Museum

Date
16 September 2024

  

Teardown
In this YouTube clip, Thomes Scherrer (OZ2CPU) does a teardown of the T-109 in his collection. This variant of type 5634/10-V, has English and German labelling, but is suitable for the newer relay types only. The 8-pin socket for the older relay types is omitted.

Source
YouTube, Thomas Scherrer (OZ2CPU)

Date
25 September 2023

  




Interior
The interior of the T-109 can be accessed by removing the four screws from the corners of the control panel, after which the case shell can be removed. All parts are fitted to a sub-frame that is mounted to the control panel. The images below show the interior from all directions.

Interior seen from the bottom left
Interior seen from the rear top
Interior seen from the bottom right
Interior - side panel
Internal T.rls.64a relay
Plug-in socket (seen from the inside)
C
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C
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Interior seen from the bottom left
C
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Interior seen from the rear top
C
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Interior seen from the bottom right
C
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Interior - side panel
C
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Internal T.rls.64a relay
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Plug-in socket (seen from the inside)

Connections
16-pin relays
The leftmost socket at the front panel is intended for the newer type of Siemens polar relays. At the left are two holes for the guide pins of the relay. The SPDT switch is connected to pins T, A and Z. Regardless the configuration of the coils, only the two primary coils are used. These are connected to pins 1,4 and 5,8 respectively. Below is the pinout when looking into the socket. Note that the socket has bridges between pins 2 and 3, and between pins 4 and 5.

  1 Coil (with 4) w1a
  2 Bridge to 3  
  3 Bridge to 2  
  4 Coil (with 1) w1b
  5 Coil (with 8) w2a
  8 Coil (with 5) w2b
  Z Zeichen MARK (M)
  A Allgemein Common (C)
  T Trennung SPACE (S)


8-pin relays
The rightmost socket (when present) is intended for the older types of Siemens polar relays, manufacturered from 1930 onwards. Below is the pinout when looking into the socket. Note that the socket has a bridge between pins 1 and 2. This means that the two coils are series connected.

  1 Bridge to 2 w1b
  2 Bridge to 1 w2a
  3 Unused n.c.
  4 Allgemein (A) Common (C)
  5 Coil (with 1) w1a
  6 Coil (with 2) w2b
  7 Zeichen (Z) MARK (M)
  8 Trennung (T) SPACE (S)



Specifications
  • Device
    Relay tester
  • Purpose
    Testing of Siemens polar relays (old and new type)
  • Model
    9.T.mse.109a (T-109)
  • Manufacturer
    Siemens & Halske
  • Country
    Germany
  • Year
    1961
  • Designator
    Fs Sk 5634/10-III
  • NSN
    6625-12-121-5754
  • Order no.
    N24991 9260 5449
  • Users
    German Post Office, German Army, US Army
  • CRT
    Siemens DG7-6
  • Power
    110/125/150/220/240V AC
  • Colour
    Grey, black
  • Dimensions
    180 × 265 × 190 (HWD)
  • Weight
    7.3 kg
Versions
  • 5634/10-III
    German labelling, both relay types
  • 5634/10-IV
    German labelling, both relay types
  • 5634/10-V
    English and German labelling, new model relays only
Relays
  • T.rls.43
    Older type, known as Flachrelais (flattened relay)
  • T.rls.63/64
    Newer type, many versions and variants
Nomenclature
  • 9.T.mse.109a
  • T-109
  • Kathodenstrahl-Relaisprüfer 109
  • 5634/10
Literature
  1. Dr.-Ing. Fritz Schiweck, Fernschreibtechnik
    Lehrbücher der Feinwerktechnik, Band 9.
    CFW Leipzig (Germany), 1942.
Documentation
  1. Kathodenstrahlrelaisprüfer - 9 T mse 109a
    Fs Bs, Ba 5634/10. Beschreibung, Betriebsanleiting (German).
    Siemens AG. München (Germany), October 1967. CM#304242.
     Circuit diagrams only
     Version of February 1967 1
     Version of July 1965 2

  2. Cathode Ray Relay Tester - 9 T mse 109a
    Fs Bs and Ba 5634/10 engl. Operating instructions and circuit diagram (English).
    Siemens & Halske. München (Germany), January 1961. 1

  3. Calibration procedure for the Siemens 9Tmse109
    TB 11-6625-2932-35 (page 1 and 2 only).
    US Army, 4 August 1980.

  4. T-Relais 63 und 64 - Prüf- und Einstellvorschriften
    Test and calibration procedures (German).
    DK 621.318.562.08. Deutsche Bundespost, May 1972.

  5. Prüfvorschriften fur Telegraphenrelais (incomplete)
    Siemens & Halske, undated.

  6. Relays T rls 63a, 64a and 67c - Supervisory regulation (Swedish)
    Försvarets Materielverk, Teknisk Order MT 857-176. 26 April 1976.

  7. Die gepolten Relais T rls 63...69
    Reprinted from Postleitfaden Band 6 - Fernmeldetechnischen Atlas.
    Rel 3101. Siemens & Halske. Undated (but pre-1966).
  1. Document obtained from Oscilloscope Museum, Berkshires, (MA, USA).
  2. Document kindly provided by Heinz Blumberg [1].

References
  1. Heinz Blumberg, T-109 relay tester - THANKS !
    Museum der Sammlungen. Germany, April 2023.
Further information
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 12 September 2024. Last changed: Tuesday, 08 October 2024 - 07:34 CET.
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