1N4148 and 1N914

ajhawkins · 31st December 2001, 12:37 AM

Are these diodes interchangeable?

cp642 · 31st December 2001, 01:24 AM

1N4148 - Vmax, 75 ; IF(max), 150mA
1N914 - Vmax, 100 ; IF(max), 75mA
Both the parts are quite similar in characteristics, but keep a close lookout for the voltage and current in your particular application.

ajhawkins · 31st December 2001, 01:37 AM

I am going to use them in a pair of Leach LowTIM's ... Everything should work fine correct?

I have 1N914's i'd like to use in place of his spec'd 1N4148's

GRollins · 31st December 2001, 02:06 AM

In many cases, these diodes are used purely to establish a diode drop, i.e. a .6V reference (often used in pairs, thus 1.2V or so) in order to bias a transistor. If that's the case (it's been a while since I looked at a Leach schematic), then either part is way overrated, so you can use either. I believe the 4148 is a 'fast' diode which may or may not matter, depending on where it is in the circuit and your personal philosophy on fast vs. slow diodes.

Grey

PH104 · 31st December 2001, 04:11 AM

The 1N4148's are used in the I/V protection circuit for the Leach amp. 1N914's will be fine. You might also consider eliminating that protection circuit altogether.

Phil

PH104 · 31st December 2001, 03:39 PM

I was just looking at the Leach amp website for some other info and saw this:

"You should not use substitutes for the 1N4148 fast switching diodes. If the diodes which you purchase do not have 1N4148 printed on them, do not use them. I have seen amplifiers not work properly because the vendor supplied a substitute diode that was not a fast switching diode. The slower diodes cause the protection circuit to be activated on the zero crossings of the signal and this produces large amounts of distortion."

But both 1N914 and 1N4148 are both fast switching diodes (4ns). So try 1N914s (or get rid of the protection circuit).

Phil

31st December 2001, 12:37 AM	#1
ajhawkins diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2001	1N4148 and 1N914 Are these diodes interchangeable?

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31st December 2001, 01:24 AM	#2
cp642 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2001	1N4148 - Vmax, 75 ; IF(max), 150mA 1N914 - Vmax, 100 ; IF(max), 75mA Both the parts are quite similar in characteristics, but keep a close lookout for the voltage and current in your particular application.

31st December 2001, 01:37 AM	#3
ajhawkins diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2001	I am going to use them in a pair of Leach LowTIM's ... Everything should work fine correct? I have 1N914's i'd like to use in place of his spec'd 1N4148's

31st December 2001, 02:06 AM	#4
GRollins diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Columbia, SC	In many cases, these diodes are used purely to establish a diode drop, i.e. a .6V reference (often used in pairs, thus 1.2V or so) in order to bias a transistor. If that's the case (it's been a while since I looked at a Leach schematic), then either part is way overrated, so you can use either. I believe the 4148 is a 'fast' diode which may or may not matter, depending on where it is in the circuit and your personal philosophy on fast vs. slow diodes. Grey

31st December 2001, 04:11 AM	#5
PH104 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: New Mexico	The 1N4148's are used in the I/V protection circuit for the Leach amp. 1N914's will be fine. You might also consider eliminating that protection circuit altogether. Phil

31st December 2001, 03:39 PM	#6
PH104 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: New Mexico	I was just looking at the Leach amp website for some other info and saw this: "You should not use substitutes for the 1N4148 fast switching diodes. If the diodes which you purchase do not have 1N4148 printed on them, do not use them. I have seen amplifiers not work properly because the vendor supplied a substitute diode that was not a fast switching diode. The slower diodes cause the protection circuit to be activated on the zero crossings of the signal and this produces large amounts of distortion." But both 1N914 and 1N4148 are both fast switching diodes (4ns). So try 1N914s (or get rid of the protection circuit). Phil

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