BAV20W-7-F

BAV20W-7-F application field and working principle

BAV20W-7-F devices belong to the family of Single Rectifiers diodes. They are used for several applications such as power detector and switch, rectifiers and have also some general purpose usage. These devices are designed to control and provide sign reversal protection.

The common feature of all Single Rectifiers diodes is their ability to allow electrical current to only flow in one direction and prevent it from flowing in the opposite direction. They are typically used in circuits where the direction of the current needs to be controlled and specifically prevent power lines from being damaged. BAV20W-7-F is no exception and its package offers high reliability and compact size for an easy rework for general purpose.

The operating principle of these diodes to allow the current flow in one direction is based on the principle of P-N junction. These diodes are composed of two semiconductor layers, N-type and P-type doped with different impurities. The junction between them is the place where the electrons from the N-type layer move to the P-type layer and become ``locked`` due to the high energy barrier that is created by their intrinsic energy difference. These electrons serve to create a tiny electric charge, called depletion layer, which prevents current flow in the other direction.

The resistance of the diode will vary depending on the supply voltage. This is due to the fact that when a positive voltage is applied, minority carriers flow from the N-type to the P-type, creating a low resistance path, resulting in the current flow through the diode. In the case of reverse bias, the electric field generated by the negative polarity blocks the minority carriers, thus making the diode non-conductive.

The BAV20W-7-F has a maximum power dissipation of 1W. This means that it is capable of dissipating 1 W of power which is determined by the total value of the power supply voltage and the current used. The maximum forward voltage of the device is also important, as this prevents too much voltage from being applied and damage the diode.

In summary, the BAV20W-7-F devices are general purpose, single rectifier diodes used for various applications such as power detector and switch, rectifiers and more. Its operation relies on the basic principle of P-N junction and works in a way that current is only allowed through the device in one direction. Its maximum power dissipation is 1W and a maximum forward voltage of 50V.