[time-nuts] Rubidium standard

[Marco A. Ferra]

>I was told by a Technical Support Engineer from Symmetricom Global Services 
>that
> "The typical life span is ~10 years for these Rubidium Time Bases".
>
> This is in response to my request for information on a Ball/Efratom 
> PTB-100.
>
> Is this a typical life span of a rubidium standard?

We had a guy from Pendulum Instruments in our Laboratory that stated that 
the life span of Rubidium crystals are between 10 ~ 12 years, so the 
information seems to be correct.  I believe that when the rubidium starts to 
get older, it loses stability and inversely behaves like the quartz (when 
older, the more stable).

Kind regards,

>
> Do some standards last longer than others?
>
> What are the symptoms of a failing rubidium bulb?
>
> Thanks
> 73
> Glenn
> WB4UIV