very ignorant question on zener diodes

jarthel · 13th October 2006, 01:05 PM

I have not used them before so...

is the side with the black ring the cathode? I have a feeling it is. But I do not want to blow it up as the value i'm using isn't available locally.

thank you.

Jack Crow · 13th October 2006, 01:17 PM

J,
That sounds right.

You sound rather raw at this, so I will go slow.

The band usually (99%) of the time is the K or Cathode.
That on the print is the flat part of the diode.

The Anode or A is the arrow head part.

A simple check if the diode is any good.

Let's assume it's a 12 volt ZD.

Place it in series with a resistance of 5k ohms, then across the whole thing run some voltage across it. Measure across the diode body and you should see the voltage the diode conducts at.

Later dude and good luck

Jack Crow in Kuwait

13th October 2006, 01:05 PM	#1
jarthel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: somewhere in Australia	very ignorant question on zener diodes I have not used them before so... is the side with the black ring the cathode? I have a feeling it is. But I do not want to blow it up as the value i'm using isn't available locally. thank you.

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13th October 2006, 01:17 PM	#2
Jack Crow diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Herndon Virginia	J, That sounds right. You sound rather raw at this, so I will go slow. The band usually (99%) of the time is the K or Cathode. That on the print is the flat part of the diode. The Anode or A is the arrow head part. A simple check if the diode is any good. Let's assume it's a 12 volt ZD. Place it in series with a resistance of 5k ohms, then across the whole thing run some voltage across it. Measure across the diode body and you should see the voltage the diode conducts at. Later dude and good luck Jack Crow in Kuwait