High Voltage Diodes

High voltage diodes are designed for use in high-voltage applications. There are many types of products. PN junction diodes are designed for general-purpose applications. Zener diodes act as normal rectifiers until the applied voltage reaches a certain point. Schottky barrier diodes are used in high frequency and fast-switching applications. PIN diodes are three-layer semiconductors with an intrinsic layer that separates heavily-doped P and N layers. Varactor diodes are P-N junction diodes that act as voltage-controlled capacitors when operated under reverse bias. Step-recovery diodes are designed for very frequency (VHF) applications. RF diodes are designed to handle frequency (RF) signals in devices such as stereo amplifiers, radio transmitters, television monitors, and other radio frequency or microwave devices. Transient voltage suppressor diodes (TVS) are semiconductors that limit over-voltages. Current limiting diodes (CLD) regulate current over a wide voltage range. Gunn diodes are transfer electron devices (TED) which exhibit a negative resistance region. Impact ionization avalanche transit-time (IMPATT) diodes are high voltage diodes which operate at a very high frequency and power.  

Selecting high voltage diodes requires information about a product’s performance specifications. Repetitive peak reverse voltage or maximum reverse voltage is the maximum, allowable, instantaneous value of repetitive reverse voltage. Reverse current is the current value when the specified reverse voltage is applied. Reverse recovery time is the time needed for the reverse current to reach a specified level when the reverse voltage is applied while the device is conducting in the forward direction. Forward voltage is voltage across the diode terminals which results from the flow of current in the forward direction. Power dissipation is the amount of power which high voltage diodes dissipate when in the on-state. Junction operating temperature is the range of temperatures in which high voltage diodes are designed to operate.  

High voltage diodes use several different types of leads. Axial leads extend from the high voltage diode's ends and along its axis. Radial leads extend from the diode's sides instead of from its ends. Flying leads project horizontally from the high voltage diode. Diodes that use surface mount technology (SMT) do not have leads. Instead, they are pad-mounted. Tab leads are terminals designed for direct mounting into a circuit board socket. Screw or insert leads are designed to be fastened with screws. Gull-wing leads are popular because they are relatively inexpensive to mold and form. They are flexible enough to withstand thermal expansion and contraction. Inspecting the integrity of the gull-wing lead to circuit board solder connection is relatively easy. High voltage diodes with J-leads use less board space than gull-wing leads; however, because these lead-to-board solder connections are hidden from inspection, they are more difficult to form.

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Part Numbers for High Voltage Diodes