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High Forward Voltage Diodes
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Glenn0010:
Hi,

I'm looking after diodes with a high forward voltage drop even at around 30mA. I want to have a string of series diodes that generate around 4-5V of drop. I have seen some high voltage diodes with a drop of around 1V. I only need a booking voltage of around 20V so this is not a big issue, also reverse recovery and leakage and so on are not important.

My main driver is cost so ideally cheap as possible with a high forward voltage drop. Smaller size and surface mount would also be an advantage.

Does anyone have any part numbers in mind?

Cheers!
Berni:
Or you could use a 4.7V zenner diode. If it still needs to work like a diode in the reverse direction then you can add a normal diode in series.

Keep in mind that the voltage drop of a diode is fairly unstable and will change a lot with the current and temperature.
MagicSmoker:
I was going to suggest a zener diode, too, but with a warning that zener diodes with less than about 5.1V to 5.6V breakdown voltage tend to have a high slope resistance; that is, the breakdown voltage varies quite a bit with current. If the current is fixed and the breakdown voltage doesn't need to be precisely specified then this won't be a problem.

Glenn0010:
Fantastic, I was considering zener diodes as well so it's good that it is confirmed by other people as well.I am not looking for a lot of accuracy here so I it will do. A voltage drop in the range of 5 V is what I am after. Thanks for your help guys
graybeard:
why don’t you just use an adjustable shunt band gap voltage regulator?  They are inexpensive and far more temperature stable.
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