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Where to Identify Diodes?

P

phaeton

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello again!

I am forever indebted to sci.electronics.basics ;)

Do you know of any website where I might be able to ID a few sets of
diodes i've gotten in an assortment from futurlec?

I've tried searching futurlec's site, just googling the part names, and
also some searches at www.national.com, but i don't have any hits on
anything. They're in little baggies, and someone in Thailand or
Australia wrote the part numbers on them with a Bluntie (which is the
result of a well-used Sharpie).

If i make the assumption that everyone in the English-speaking world
(except the U.S.) slashes their Zs to differentiate them from 2s, the
part numbers are all "2D400MW", with the only difference between the
little baggies being the rated voltages (8.1v, 6.2v, 5.1v, 11v.. etc)

They're tiny, and they're glass, so there aren't any markings on the
diodes themselves. I've never seen diodes this small and they're kinda
fascinating. I always thought glass casings was common to Ge diodes but
that was just an assumption, not an established fact....

Any input or pointers would be very appreciated...

thanks!

-jared
 
R

Roger Johansson

Jan 1, 1970
0
phaeton said:
If i make the assumption that everyone in the English-speaking world
(except the U.S.) slashes their Zs to differentiate them from 2s, the
part numbers are all "2D400MW", with the only difference between the
little baggies being the rated voltages (8.1v, 6.2v, 5.1v, 11v.. etc)

I made the opposite assumption, removed the MW suffix, and searched for
ZD400 diode, and found this pdf file

http://users.rcn.com/jenison/mars/faq/G08_FAQ.pdf

See page 29

It lists zd400 as a zener diode, and it seems to fit your description of
different voltages.

You can test if they really are zener diodes by sending a current of say
20mA through them and measure the voltage over the diode.

In this document they are listed as 1/2 Watt zener diodes, but don't
trust that wattage number too much, your diodes may be a later or
different version.

The suffix I removed, MW, can mean another wattage/package.
But you can test run a few to find out how much power they actually can
handle before burning up.
 
R

Roger Johansson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Roger Johansson said:
You can test if they really are zener diodes by sending a current of
say 20mA through them and measure the voltage over the diode.

In this document they are listed as 1/2 Watt zener diodes, but don't
trust that wattage number too much, your diodes may be a later or
different version.

The suffix I removed, MW, can mean another wattage/package.
But you can test run a few to find out how much power they actually can
handle before burning up.

Oooops, just realized I made a mistake. ZD400 in this file is a location,
not a component number.

Well, you can use my other advice about testing them anyway, and I think
you will find that they are zener diodes, with a certain voltage and
wattage which you can easily measure, and that's all the data you need to
use them.
 
T

Terry Pinnell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Roger Johansson said:
Oooops, just realized I made a mistake. ZD400 in this file is a location,
not a component number.

Well, you can use my other advice about testing them anyway, and I think
you will find that they are zener diodes, with a certain voltage and
wattage which you can easily measure, and that's all the data you need to
use them.

Agreed, 'ZD400MW' plainly means 'Zener diode, 400 mW'.
 
R

Roger Johansson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Terry Pinnell said:
Agreed, 'ZD400MW' plainly means 'Zener diode, 400 mW'.

Finally, somebody who can read. Why didn't I think of that.

The person who marked his bags of diodes simply marked them with what
they are, it is not a component number code. Thanks.
 
P

phaeton

Jan 1, 1970
0
Boy, don't i feel like a dolt...

Thanks Terry...

-jared
 
F

Fred Abse

Jan 1, 1970
0
If i make the assumption that everyone in the English-speaking world
(except the U.S.) slashes their Zs to differentiate them from 2s,

Brits don't
Aussies don't
Canucks (English speaking ones) don't

In fact, I can't think of an English speaking country that I've had
anything to do with that does.
 
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