| Troubleshooting tough dog (difficult to repair) | | | | ampere for replacement assuming that there is |
| problems consumed you lots of time and another | | | | no way you can find the original part number. |
| problem that take you lots of time is to locate | | | | When talks about diode specification, one always |
| the original spare part numbers. You may take | | | | refer to peak reverse voltage (PRV) and ampere |
| couple of minutes to find a bad components but | | | | (A). Assuming you have a diode with the spec of |
| because of no spare parts available in your | | | | 800V 2A and you want to find a replacement. |
| component’s compartment, then you will | | | | You can always use diodes connect in series |
| need some extra time to find it such as to call up | | | | method to get the desire spec. For example, two |
| your electronic suppliers, finding your | | | | 400V 2A diodes connect in series will get you |
| semiconductor data book for specification and | | | | 800V 2A. You can always use this method for |
| replacement, searching the internet for the | | | | replacement but to make the diodes last longer |
| particular component data hope to get an exact | | | | you have to connect a resistor and a capacitor |
| substitution and some of you may visit forum to | | | | and place across each diode to equalize the PRV |
| ask for an answer. | | | | drops and guard against transient voltage. In order |
| This little ‘extra time’ sometimes may | | | | to find the resistor value, as a rule of thumb, |
| take you longer than an hour. Forums usually take | | | | multiply the PRV rating of the diodes by 500 |
| couples of hours to days to give you the answer. | | | | ohms. For example, an 800 PRV diode should be |
| Worst case, if there are no answer from the | | | | shunted by 800 X 500 equal to 400,000 ohms. As |
| forum and the equipment you repair lying down | | | | for the capacitor value, use a 0.01 microfarad |
| the corner of the technical department waiting for | | | | ceramic disc capacitor connected across each |
| you to settle it-sound familiar? Even if your | | | | diode. |
| electronic suppliers have the part, you will again | | | | Now, if you have a 400V 10A diode that needs |
| wasting your time purposely drive to town just to | | | | replacement, you may use the diodes connect in |
| get that part only. If your customer can wait | | | | parallel method to get the desire spec. Connect |
| then there will be no problem and what if the | | | | two 400V 5A in parallel and you will get 400V |
| customers want it fast? | | | | 10A. From experienced, if possible try to find or |
| In today’s article I’m going to show you | | | | get the exact or equivalent part number first |
| how you can use diodes to connect either in | | | | before using the above method. |
| series or parallel to get the desire volts and | | | | |