Electronics > Beginners
Does break down voltage actually damage the diode?
Beamin:
I can think of applications where you might want to have a diode conduct over a certain voltage such as igniting lights, charging things, providing voltage spikes etc. But do they make diodes that have a "Safe" break down voltage where the diode could be run in reverse repeatedly and not fail or get damaged?
Or is there another part used instead. Jullian illet has a video on a diode like this but it seems like its for lightning or other one shot protection things.:
Does anyone know if the "UV light" he uses is just a black light or puts out dangerous UVA UVB? UVC can't be made by a diode can it? Usually UVC lamps look blue not purple but if it only puts out UVC you wouldn't see it at all and suspect that blue color is from the mercury or gasses in the lamps... maybe. If you look at a very strong/dangerous Xray source it looks purple. Not sure if it is or if that was just the guys eyes getting cooked by radiation.
MK14:
Yes.
They are called Zener diodes.
They are just like normal silicon diodes (there are some differences). But they are specified to safely break down at their rated voltage and maximum power (dissipation) ratings.
There are also devices, for protecting against very large voltages etc.
See TVS and MOV devices. Be careful, they are different.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transient-voltage-suppression_diode
MOVs only have a limited life, as regards overloads/surges.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varistor
MK14:
--- Quote from: Beamin on September 16, 2018, 05:51:38 pm ---UVC can't be made by a diode can it?
--- End quote ---
You can get UV Leds, these days. I probably have some.
But I'm not sure about what types are available as regards UVA/UVB/UVC.
Because the range is often increasing as they get invented, and I've not looked into them, for quite a while.
The ones I have are like the Black light ones, and someone showed me his less safe ones, for making PCBs with. I'm not sure if UVC Leds are available yet.
BigClive recently showed a newish (it seemed to be, but could be old) type of filament UV lamp (dangerous UV frequencies, e.g. makes Ozone).
Beamin:
--- Quote from: MK14 on September 16, 2018, 05:54:20 pm ---Yes.
They are called Zener diodes.
They are just like normal silicon diodes (there are some differences). But they are specified to safely break down at their rated voltage and maximum power (dissipation) ratings.
There are also devices, for protecting against very large voltages etc.
See TVS and MOV devices. Be careful, they are different.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transient-voltage-suppression_diode
MOVs only have a limited life, as regards overloads/surges.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varistor
--- End quote ---
Benta:
There are rectifiers that will tolerate over voltage. They are called "avalanche rated".
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