1N705A

1N705A Application Field and Working Principle

The 1N705A diode is a zener diode that is commonly used for voltage regulation and reference applications. It has a reverse breakdown voltage of 7.5 volts and a power dissipation of 500 mW, making it suitable for many of today\'s low-voltage power applications. The 1N705A is also advantageous due to its low leakage current, a characteristic which makes it reliable and long-lasting.

Mechanical Description

The 1N705A diode is housed in a surface mount plastic package with a standard DO-34 body and epoxy ends. The size of the 1N705A is 2.2mm x 3.0mm x 0.9mm, making it suitable for many space-constrained applications. It has excellent hermeticity and moisture sensitivity attributes, and its solderable terminations make it easy to integrate into circuit boards.

Electrical Characteristics

The most important electrical characteristic of the 1N705A is its reverse breakdown voltage. The 1N705A has a reverse breakdown voltage of 7.5 volts, plus or minus 3%, with a maximum holding current of 8.0mA. It also has a maximum forward voltage drop of 0.7 volts, which is beneficial in limiting power dissipation during reverse breakdown.

The 1N705A also has a maximum power dissipation of 500 mW, with a thermal resistance of 5.0°C/W. It also has a storage temperature range of -65°C to +150°C, and an operating temperature range of -55°C to +125°C. These characteristics make the 1N705A suitable for many power applications at elevated temperatures or in harsh environments.

Working Principle

The 1N705A diode operates on a basic zener working principle. When reverse biased, the diode creates a depletion region between its p- and n-type regions, which prevents current from flowing until the electric field within the region exceeds a certain threshold, causing a zener avalanche. This allows a steady voltage to be maintained across the diode, which can be used for applications like voltage regulation or voltage reference.

When forward biased, the diode behaves like a normal diode, allowing current to flow between its p- and n-regions. However, the 1N705A has a low forward voltage drop, which allows it to limit the power dissipation during forward conduction.

Conclusion

The 1N705A zener diode is a versatile, low-power device that can be used for a variety of purposes in low-voltage power applications. Its reverse breakdown voltage of 7.5 volts, plus or minus 3%, makes it suitable for voltage regulation, particularly in space-constrained applications. Its low forward voltage drop and good thermal resistance characteristics contribute to its robust performance at elevated temperatures and in harsh environments.