WHY? 1N400X - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 12:29:39 am
content: OK, I've seen this question pondered before but never really seen a good explanation.The garden variety 1N400x comes voltages from 50v to 1000Vbut there all the exact same spec otherwise and same cost. ... so why bother with anything other then a 1n4007?whats the point in bothering having multiple voltages?Vishay spec sheet example:http://www.vishay.com/docs/88503/1n4001.pdf

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 12:53:53 am
content: I remember reading that if you make a diode able to withstand a higher reverse voltage, it comes at the cost of a slightly higher forward voltage.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 01:05:38 am
content: Quote from: innkeeper on September 08, 2017, 12:29:39 amTry ordering millions, and see if the cost is still the same when you start negotiating a serious price.

author: A Hellene
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 02:22:17 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 08, 2017, 01:34:00 amAlong with higher blocking voltages lower switching speeds come also; but in such slow diodes (~2.5 micro seconds) the difference is negligible. For the fast / super fast / ultra fast (and Schottky) diodes it makes a big difference, though.BYV26's switching speed, for example, changes dramatically; from 30ns for up to 700V parts (BYV26A..C) to 75ns for the 900 and 1100V parts (BYV26D..E).-George

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 02:44:54 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 08, 2017, 01:34:00 amhave you actually seen that with a 1n400x series. form what i have seen and what the specs say, seems not to be the case.in fact the specs state the same vf for a given current for all in the series.

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 02:54:45 am
content: Quote from: coppice on September 08, 2017, 01:05:38 amsame pricesMouser Part #:863-1N4001GManufacturer Part #:1N4001GManufacturer:ON SemiconductorDescription:Rectifiers 50V 1A Standard1N4001G 1: $0.181N4001G 100,000: $0.017Mouser Part #:863-1N4007GManufacturer Part #:1N4007GManufacturer:ON SemiconductorDescription:Rectifiers 1000V 1A Standard1N4007G 1: $0.181N4007G 100,000: $0.017

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 02:56:19 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 08, 2017, 02:51:12 amthat sounds a lot more likely.

author: innkeeper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 02:58:03 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on September 08, 2017, 12:53:53 amme too, but seems not with these. its like there all the same part or soming

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 04:31:26 am
content: Quote from: innkeeper on September 08, 2017, 02:56:19 amHistorical probably:https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/84471/what-is-the-difference-between-1n4001-and-1n4007-other-than-their-maximum-revers/84522A part number and associated data sheet is just a specification, the actual parts delivered can change over the life of the product and come from different processes/foundries or for opamps even different designs! Tighter specifications on the forward voltages or forward resistance, reverse leakage etc are all available if you pay more for testing and get a new part number assigned. If you read the 1N400x data sheets carefully they mostly claim a "Maximum forward Voltage" which in the past could have been achieved with several different junction profiles/designs, but is now done easily with a single part.I'd guess the biggest differentiator in the "unified" 1N400x lines would be that the maximum reverse leakage is specified at the rated DC voltage, so its a simple binning there with scope to downrate parts as demand arises. Leakages in diodes still varies quite a lot in production.