Diode configuration

[Armagdn03]

Hello, newb question here

I know that if one were to want to increase the power handling abilities of diodes they may be connected in parallel, and so disipate heat more efficiently. What I am wondering is if diodes can be connected in series and increase the the reverse voltage they can withstand, so....say I have two 1000v diodes, if I put two in series will I have 2000volt diode with 1.2 volt drop across instead of .6?

 

[k7elp60]

Hello, newb question here

I know that if one were to want to increase the power handling abilities of diodes they may be connected in parallel, and so disipate heat more efficiently. What I am wondering is if diodes can be connected in series and increase the the reverse voltage they can withstand, so....say I have two 1000v diodes, if I put two in series will I have 2000volt diode with 1.2 volt drop across instead of .6?

Yes you can put them in series. It is best to put some high value resistors of the same value in parallel with the diodes to equilize the PIV thou.

 

[Hero999]

Make sure the resistors have a suitable voltage rating too.

They can be very high values >100M.