1N400x rectifier diode explained

The 1N400x (or 1N4001 or 1N4000[1]) series is a family of popular one-ampere general-purpose silicon rectifier diodes commonly used in AC adapters for common household appliances. Its blocking voltage varies from 50 volts (1N4001) to 1000 volts (1N4007). This JEDEC device number series is available in the DO-41 axial package. Diodes with similar ratings are available in SMA and MELF surface mount packages (in other part number series).

The 1N540x (or 1N5400) series is a similarly popular family of diodes rated 3 Amperes. These diodes use the larger DO-201AD axial package to dissipate heat better.

History

The 1N400x series was originally introduced by Motorola's Semiconductor Products Division and registered at JEDEC in 1963 as silicon power rectifiers used primarily for military and industrial applications.[2] It appeared in the Motorola Semiconductor Data Manual in 1965, as replacements for 1N2609 through 1N2617. The 1N540x series were announced in Electrical Design News in 1968, along with the now lesser-known 1.5 A 1N5391 series.[3]

Overview

These devices are widely used and recommended for general-purpose power-frequency rectifier use.[4] [5] They are commonly used as rectifiers in AC adapters of electrical appliances to convert AC to DC,[6] and are also used in other types of power converters, or as freewheeling diodes to protect circuits from inductive loads.

These are fairly low-speed rectifier diodes, being inefficient for square waves of more than 15 kHz. They are not designed for switching applications; datasheets often do not specify any information on their turn-on and turn-off characteristics.[7]

Compared with signal diodes, rectifier diodes generally have higher current ratings, can have much higher reverse voltage ratings, but have higher leakage current and greater junction capacitance.[8]

The following table lists part numbers in the 1N400x, 1N540x, and other popular general-purpose silicon rectifier diode families.

Voltage ! colspan="5"
Through-hole axial packageSurface-mount package
1 A
(DO-41)
1.5 A
(DO-15)
3 A
(DO-201AD)
6 A
(R-6)
10 A
(R-6)
1 A
(MELF)
3 A
(MELF)
1 A
(SMA)
1 A
(SMA)
2 A
(SMB)
3 A
(SMC)
5 A
(SMC)
50 Volt1N4001 1N5391 1N5400 6A05 10A05 SM4001 SM5400 M1 S1A S2A S3A S5A
100 Volt1N4002 1N5392 1N5401 6A1 10A1 SM4002 SM5401 M2 S1B S2B S3B S5B
200 Volt1N4003 1N5393 1N5402 6A2 10A2 SM4003 SM5402 M3 S1D S2D S3D S5D
400 Volt1N4004 1N5395 1N5404 6A4 10A4 SM4004 SM5404 M4 S1G S2G S3G S5G
600 Volt1N4005 1N5397 1N5406 6A6 10A6 SM4005 SM5406 M5 S1J S2J S3J S5J
800 Volt1N4006 1N5398 1N5407 6A8 10A8 SM4006 SM5407 M6 S1K S2K S3K S5K
1000 Volt1N4007 1N5399 1N5408 6A10 10A10 SM4007 SM5408 M7 S1M S2M S3M S5M
Datasheet

See also

Further reading

Historical databooks

External links

Notes and References

  1. Though some writers and datasheets refer to "1N4000 series", a 1N4000 is a 10-watt Zener diode unrelated to the 1N4001 series of 1 ampere rectifiers.
  2. Web site: Announcement of Electron Device Type Registration, Release No. 4190. . The Joint Electron Device Engineering Council . 1963-03-18 . 2019-01-22 . subscription.
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=JFNAAQAAIAAJ&q=1N5400&dq=1N5400 Electrical Design News
  4. Book: The robot builder's bonanza . 2nd . Gordon McComb . McGraw-Hill Professional . 2001 . 978-0-07-136296-2 . 41 . Common diodes are the 1N914, for light-duty signal-switching applications, and the 1N4000 series (1N4001, 1N4002, 1N4003, and 1N4004)..
  5. Book: Home power, Issues 21–32 . Electron Connection, Ltd. . 1991 . 173 . A good generic diode for 1 A or less is the 1N4000 series devices..
  6. Book: Electricity: fundamental concepts and applications . Timothy J. Maloney . Delmar Publishers . 1992 . 978-0-8273-4675-8 . 404 . A Type No. 1N4004 diode, a popular diode for rectifying ac to dc..
  7. Book: Robust Electronic Design Reference Book. John R. Barnes. 2004. 15–9. Earlier I mentioned that 1N4004's are rectifiers. They don't have any specifications in their datasheet for turn-on or turn-off characteristics.. 9781402077371.
  8. Paul Horowitz, Winifred Hill, The Art of Electronics Second Edition, Cambridge University Press, 1989, page 330