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2025

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04

How to choose a rectifier diode suitable for a specific circuit?

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Several key factors need to be considered when selecting a rectifier diode suitable for a specific circuit:

Several key factors need to be considered when selecting a rectifier diode suitable for a specific circuit:

Current Parameters

  • Maximum Rectified Current Select based on the maximum current that needs to be rectified in the circuit. This current should be greater than the average current under normal operating conditions and possible overload conditions. For example, for a circuit with an average current of 0.5A, considering a certain margin, a rectifier diode with a maximum rectified current of 1A or higher can be selected, such as the 1N4007, which has a maximum rectified current of 1A and is suitable for circuits with smaller currents.
  • Surge Current If there is a possibility of instantaneous large current surges in the circuit, such as the moment the power is turned on or when the load changes suddenly, the surge current capacity of the diode must also be considered. A diode that can withstand the maximum surge current that may occur in the circuit should be selected to prevent damage to the diode during these instantaneous large current surges.

Voltage Parameters

  • Reverse Breakdown Voltage Ensure that the reverse breakdown voltage of the selected diode is greater than the maximum reverse voltage that may occur in the circuit. Generally, in AC power rectification circuits, considering the fluctuation of AC voltage and the possibility of peak voltages, a rectifier diode with a reverse breakdown voltage above 400V is usually needed. For example, the 1N4007 used for 220V AC power rectification has a reverse breakdown voltage of 1000V.
  • Forward Voltage Drop Forward voltage drop will affect the efficiency and power loss of the circuit. In low-voltage, high-current circuits, diodes with a lower forward voltage drop should be selected to reduce power loss and improve circuit efficiency. For example, the forward voltage drop of Schottky rectifier diodes is usually around 0.3-0.5V, lower than that of ordinary rectifier diodes, and is suitable for low-voltage, high-current applications.

Frequency Characteristics

  • General Rectifier Diodes Suitable for low-frequency circuits, with operating frequencies generally below tens of kilohertz. If the circuit's operating frequency is low, such as in traditional linear power supply circuits, general rectifier diodes can be selected, such as the 1N4000 series.
  • Fast Recovery Rectifier Diodes When the circuit's operating frequency is between tens of kilohertz and hundreds of kilohertz, fast recovery rectifier diodes should be used. They have a shorter reverse recovery time and can adapt to higher-frequency AC rectification. For example, fast recovery diodes such as FR107 are often used in the rectification part of switching power supplies.
  • Schottky Rectifier Diodes For higher operating frequencies, such as above hundreds of kilohertz, Schottky rectifier diodes are a better choice. Their extremely short reverse recovery time and good high-frequency characteristics can meet the requirements of high-frequency rectification, and are commonly used in high-frequency switching power supplies and communication equipment circuits.

Packaging

  • Through-Hole Packaging Such as DO-41, DO-15, etc. These packages have high mechanical strength and good heat dissipation performance, suitable for circuits with higher heat dissipation requirements and larger currents, and are easy for manual soldering and maintenance. However, they occupy a larger PCB area and may not be suitable for some space-constrained circuit boards.
  • Surface Mount Packaging Such as SMA, SMB, SOD-123, etc. They are small in size, suitable for high-density mounting, and can effectively save PCB space. They are widely used in miniaturized electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers. However, their heat dissipation performance is relatively poor, and the soldering process requires higher precision.

Other Factors

  • Cost Under the premise of meeting the circuit performance requirements, cost is also an important consideration. Different types and brands of rectifier diodes have different prices. The appropriate diode should be selected based on the product's cost budget. For example, general rectifier diodes are relatively inexpensive, while some high-performance fast recovery or Schottky rectifier diodes may be more expensive.
  • Reliability Choose diodes with good reliability and stability. The brand, manufacturing process, and related quality certifications of the diode can be used as references. For circuits with high stability requirements, such as circuits in aerospace and medical equipment, reliable diodes that have undergone rigorous testing should be selected.