How does the size of a GM tube effect the dead time? Posted on April 18, 2018 The dead time has to do with detector size, anode resistor valve, and the distance of the anode resistor from the detector. In general the smaller the detector the shorter the dead time. The lower the resistor value the shorter the dead time. The closer the anode resistor is to the anode the shorter the dead time. Energy compensation does not contribute to the dead time of a detector.