Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange
Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [diodes]

Diodes are semiconductor components made from a P-type (or metal in Schottky diodes) and N-type material (usually silicon, but germanium, selenium, and gallium arsenide can also be used), that allow current to flow in one direction only.

There are many types of diodes:

  • Rectifying diode
  • Zener diode
  • Signal diode
  • Schottky diode
  • Avalanche diode
  • Photodiode
  • Light Emitting Diode (LED)
  • Laser diode
  • Tunnel diode
  • Varactor diode
  • Vacuum tube diode

Overview pages

Type of diodes

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What is the reverse recovery time in a diode?

What is the reverse recovery time in a diode?
Cell-o
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Common types of diodes to keep around

I'm working on stocking my home workshop with frequently used parts so I can spend more time tinkering and less time watching my mailbox. What are the differences between different kinds of diodes? I've seen schottky, zenner, signal, and rectifier…
Grant
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Can a diode fail to open position?

I know a diode can short out and fail closed. Is it possible for a diode to fail in the open position, and what would cause this to happen?
Daryl Becker
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Difference between a rectifier diode and signal diode

Can somebody please explain to me the differences between a signal diode and rectifier diode in terms of their electrical characteristics and their Lissajous patterns? I know that Shockley's equation is used as the mathematical model for the general…
D Brown
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Diodes in parallel or series

I am wondering what the effects are of putting diodes in parallel or putting them in series. (like current capabilities, voltage capabilities etc.) Let's say I have a datasheet of a diode. What characteristics would change ? My estimation is that…
skyler
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Using a diode to ensure current flows in only one direction, without causing a voltage drop

To power my microcontroller (ATmega8), I am using a ~5.4V voltage source. I want to ensure that I don't accidentally connect the voltage source in reverse, and figured a diode would be a nice way to accomplish this as from what I have learned so…
capcom
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Uses for a Double Diode?

Can anyone tell me what a 'double diode' is used for? For example, a BAV99. I'm not sure of the correct name for it and so can't find it in any of my reference books. I've come across one in a circuit, between an output pin on a micro and an input…
Peter Hull
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Why does my multimeter show a wrong voltage over a large resistor?

I am having a hard time answering one particular question about our experiment.. In our experiment, R1 and R2 were set to 1Meg each and later to 10k... I understand the need for R1 and R2 a bit. Without R1 and R2, the voltage sharing wouldn't…
user139731
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What is the purpose of the two 1N4148 diodes used in this circuit?

What is the purpose of the two 1N4148 diodes used in this circuit? Regards Edit:Source page of the circuit.. http://www.radanpro.com/Radan2400/Video/TV%20remote%20control%20blocker-jammer%20circuit%20diagram.htm
armma
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Is there such thing as an inline ideal diode?

Probably a stupid question but I could not find an answer on the web. I was looking for a diode to protect a 36V battery from a short circuit on the charging port. The best I could find (SB560-E3/54 and similar) have around 0.5V forward drop. That…
Maple
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Diode logic computer

Is it possible to build a computer (Turing complete) using only diode logic without transistors? I know DTL was a thing, but from what I could tell, they used transistors to amplify signals.
aloishis89
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Why Wouldn't I Buy A Diode With The Highest Reverse Voltage?

I'm only just beginning to read about diodes. I'm looking at the 1N400x series, where all specs are the same except the reverse voltage (link: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Diodes-Incorporated/1N4003-T?qs=rGAXPo9uwV0nfQ36LZW%252BLg%3D%3D for…
Lespiegle
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Real diode behaviour modelling

In high frequency, this plots the input voltage and the current in a simple circuit with a resistor and a diode. The behaviour I see is that the diode remains forward-biased for longer than an ideal diode would, but as soon as it does it goes back…
Rojo
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Difference between 1N914 and 1N4148 diodes

I always thought that the 1N4148 was an improved replacement for the obsolete 1N914, but I see that the 1N914 is still produced, and overmore, looking at the parameters for both on digikey they seem to be identical. What was the reason to create the…
Joris Groosman
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Internal difference in a diode

Why is it not possible to measure the internal potential difference in a p-n diode across the depletion region externally when no external voltage is applied to the diode ? Steven here https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/33235 does not…
GamingX
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