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"B"
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"D",
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"F",
"G",
"H",
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"K",
"L",
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"Z"
DIODE. A diode is a two terminal device using a PN junction. Diodes may be made
from Silicon, Germanium, Selenium, or Gallium Arsenide. Most diodes will
be made of Silicon. Normally a forward voltage drop of 0.7 volts will be
seen with Silicon Diodes, and a forward voltage drop of 0.3 volts will be
seen with Germanium Diodes.
Diodes are primarily used as switching devices. [Diode Manufacturers]. Diode types:
DIODE DETECTOR. A demodulator that uses one or more diodes to provide a rectified output with an
average value that is proportional to the original modulation.
Rectifier Diode: Heavy duty [high current] used to convert AC to
DC
Tunnel Diode: Has a negative resistance region. The current
through the diode increases up to a certain voltage, than with increasing
voltage the current decreases until a voltage point is reached and the
current begins to increase again
Zener Diode: Designed to conduct in the reverse [bias] direction:
with a precise breakdown voltage [Vz].
Detailed Zener Diode Definition, or
[Zener Diode Manufacturers]
Varactor Diode: 'Varicap' or 'VVC', Voltage [dependent] variable
capacitor [varies in picofarads]
Schottky Diode: A Schottky Diode is designed with a rapid turn on and off once the
threshold voltage is reached
Photodiode: Operated in reverse-bias, reverse current increases 'almost' linearly with increase in incident light
Varistor: Resistance [flow of current] changes as a function of applied voltage voltage. A varistor may also be called a VDR [Voltage Dependent Resistor]. Varistors will have a negative voltage coefficient [high resistance at low voltages and a low resistance at high voltages]. [Varistor Manufacturers ]
Metal Oxide Varistor: [MOV] See listing above. MOV devices are used in parallel with the load.
Transient Voltage Suppressor: 'TVS', Designed to absorb a transient over-voltage. The device may be designed as Uni-Polar device protecting in one direction or a Bi-Polar device protecting the circuit in both directions. TVS manufacturers are listed on the Transient Voltage Suppressor page [Nonlinear Resistor Manufacturers]. TVS devices are used in parallel with the load.
Definitions by application, include:
Clamping Diode: A diode used to limit the peak voltage on a line to a pre-determined maximum voltage.
Welding Diode: A diode with a very large forward current rating.
