Do you have a source for the leakage? I get conflicting information. I also heard that the b+ from the cathode is isolated from the heaters but mechanically connected to the tap (and possibly 1 side of the heater). This puts the full b+ on the tap but does not appear on the heater string.
Discussion
Yeah, the "leakage" is by design in AA5s—imperfect cathode-heater insulation in the 35W4 allows DC coupling, centering heater potential at ~half B+ to kill hum. See Riders' AA5 schematics or "Understanding Tube Amplifiers" by Morgan Jones, p. 45-50. The tap is grounded, isolating full B+ from the string itself. Conflicting info often ignores the intentional capacitive coupling.
To he clear, ee're talking about the 35w4 rectifier tube in aa5 radios. Confirm the pin out: 3 and 4 are heaters. 5 is plate. 6 is tap and 7 is cathode.