hey everyone,
I have a mess of diodes I ordered a while ago from the Electronics Goldmine or Jameco (I don't remember which), and I was wondering if any of them could be used as circuit protection diodes in case someone connects the battery the wrong way? How can I tell, by looking at them or finding their datasheet, if they will work? From what I understand you can't use the glass ones, but i have a number of black plastic ones with thicker-than-usual leads. Will these be okay to use?
Thanks,
Nick
How can I tell, by looking at them or finding their datasheet, if they will work? From what I understand you can't use the glass ones, but i have a number of black plastic ones with thicker-than-usual leads. Will these be okay to use?
Have any numbers on them ?
Do one measure one Si diode drop ?
What happens if you reverse connect a battery to it? [just kidding, unless you were thinking you want to..one or the other will probably start heating up faster..
Leads are kinda thick, but yes.
What's written on them?
1Nsomething?
PS Me, I use the diode *in series* with the circuit, rather than in parallel. I figure it's easier to stop the reverse current than try to divert it.
There are many varieties,
1N5260
1N5944
1N4741
1N526
1N5991
1N755
There are also a ton of glass ones, and several I can't actually identify, as well as some SMD diodes.
Any of these look good? If I find the data sheets for them is there a particular value I can look for to identify suitable diodes in the future?
QuotePS Me, I use the diode *in series* with the circuit, rather than in parallel. I figure it's easier to stop the reverse current than try to divert it.
I was actually wondering why people don't just do that instead. Unfortunately I've already designed and etched the PCB, so for now it's too late to place it in series.
Nick
The downside of putting the diode in series, is that you will lose .6V or so of the supply voltage.
But normally that should not matter.
Downside of just having a diode across the input, is that 1. it will probably burn out & then where are you? and 2. your unit might burn out before it does. Can't see it, myself.
Best of all worlds: series diode, then a reversed diode to ground AFTER the series diode.
And if you make the second diode say a 10V zener.. BOMB PROOF.