What to consider when choosing a diode ?

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i want to buy the general diode for my project,

how to choose general diode?
what to consider to buy the general diode.

isit only have 1 type of general diode?
 

Re: how to select diode

We use 1N4007 as general purpose diode.
Check this data sheet


You can just check the data sheets for your requirement and the choose the component.
 

how to select diode

It depends on what you want it for. 1N400x diodes are good for a bit of current carrying capability whereas a 1N4148 would be a good general purpose small signal diode.

Keith
 
how to select diode

Hi,
It depends on your application. For small current applications, 1N400x, will work, you choose the part required as per voltage rating. For a little more current, upto 3A, 1N540x works, and so on. For signal diode, the most common is 1N4148. For SMPS in ultrafast or schottky, MBRxxxx and MURxxxx are most popular depending on current and voltage rating.

Another factor to consider is the package: DO-41, DO-201, D2PAK, TO220, SMD or through hole, etc.

Hope this helps.
Tahmid.
 
Re: how to select diode

thanks everyone

because i want to do a energy harvesting, so need a rectifier.

the input source is very very small voltage and small current

does it help me? by using 1N400x

should i use 1N4148
 

how to select diode

You should use a Schottky diode then - it will have the lowest forward volts drop. What is the size of the "very small" voltage you have and what is the current?

Keith.
 
Re: how to select diode

You should use a Schottky diode then - it will have the lowest forward volts drop. What is the size of the "very small" voltage you have and what is the current?
Click to expand...

i using piezoelectric to generated the amount of electric, but i don't know how small the current and volts drop. but i ask other people they say very small current and very small voltage drop across.
 

how to select diode

You really need to find out the voltage an current, by measurement if necessary. A piezo device could give a few millivolts or a thousand volts depending on your system. Only then can you pick an appropriate diode.

Keith
 
Re: how to select diode

thanks keith1200rs,

is there any diode that can vary from milivolt to thousand volts?

thank you very much

Added after 4 minutes:

thanks keith1200rs,

is there any diode that can vary from milivolt to thousand volts?

thank you very much
 

how to select diode

The problem is that if you pick a diode for 1000V when you only need 10V its characteristics will not be optimum for what you want. The same applies if you buy a 10A diode when you only have 1mA. Your leakage will be higher. Capacitance will be higher, speed will be slower. You will waste a lot of power which you could otherwise have harvested.

Keith
 
Re: how to select diode

just assume i have energy source very small current and very small voltage

isit 1N400X is suitable?
 

how to select diode

No. If you have low voltage/current then you should look for small signal Schottky diodes. There are probably better ones but I cannot search easily at the moment but a BAT46 is a small, general purpose Schottky,

Keith
 

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