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"Elektronika 4 / G9.02" Soviet digital clock

     Soviet digital clock Elektronika 4 / G9.02 (Электроника 4 / Г9.02) was produced in USSR from late 1970s to mid 1980's. It was based on 4 single digit VFD displays with 21mm digit height in a glass tube envelope similar to a vacuum tube or nixie. 7-segment displays are IV-12 (ИВ-12) and the separator is IV-1 (ИВ-1). Transistors are KT361D (КТ361Д). Integrated circuits (CMOS):
1x K176IE5 (К176ИЕ5) - Crystal oscillator with prescaler from 32768 Hz to 1Hz, 2Hz and 64Hz.
3x K176IE4 (К176ИЕ4) - Base-10 counter with 7-segment output (similar to 4026).
3x K176IE3 (К176ИЕ3) - Base-6 counter with 7-segment output (probably doesn't have any western equivalent).
1x K176LA9 (К176ЛА9) - Triple 3-input NAND gate (similar to 4023).
Clocked by 32768 Hz crystal. The clock has 4 buttons: Reset, Set minutes, Set hours and a selector of two levels of brightness. The power consumption is 1.5 - 2.5W from 220V 50Hz mains. 9V backup battery can be connected.
     Common failure is short circuit in one of 25 transistors (KT361D), that switch the segments of VFD displays. E-C short causes permanently lit segment, E-B short causes permanently off segment. Electrolytic capacitors also may dry out or the VFD displays may wear out (brightness declines or gets uneven). The clock is built for 220V mains. In 230V or 240V countries the VFD heater filaments can suffer from overvoltage. This can be solved using series resistor (see below).

     Warning! The clock contains deadly mains voltage, any intervention is at your own risk. I do not take responsibility for your injury or death.

Elektronika 4 / G9.02 (Электроника 4 / Г9.02)


Soviet VFD digital clock Elektronika 4 (Электроника 4) made in 1982.


Elektronika 4 top view


Rear side of Elektronika 4. There are 4 buttons, fuse and 9V battery compartment.


The original price of the 1982 clock was 40 rubles.


Elektronika 4 Soviet clock (the plexiglass looks foggy before it was cleaned from the inside).





Anotker piece of Elekronika 4 - during cleaning. This one is from 1985.











Resistor added in series with heater of IV-12 displays, adjusting the voltage to the nominal value of 1.5V at nominal mains votage. This improves life of the VFD displays when the clock designed for 220V is operated at 230V or 240V. Value 0R15 (0.15 ohm) turned out to be the best for 230V.


Soviet Elektronika 4 / G9.02 clock - Comparison of worn out IV-12 VFD tubes before replacement (two on the left) and after replacement (two on the right).

schéma hodin elektronika 4 / elektronika G9.02
Schematic of Elektronika 4 / G9.02 (Электроника 4 / Г9.02 ) clock from year 1978. Displays are IV-12 (ИВ-12) and separator IV-1 (ИВ-1). Tranzistors KT361D (КТ361Д). Integrated circuits K176IE3 (К176ИЕ3), K176IE4 (К176ИЕ4), K176IE5 (К176ИЕ5) a K176LA9 (К176ЛА9). (Click to enlarge)



Added: 6. 12. 2013
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