Is this a zener diode?

1

1-3-2-4

Member

• May 18, 2010

• #1

seems like my mouser order of 5 3v zeners walked off so in a effort to find some for a project I took these out of two unused power supplies.

How do I find out what voltage it is?

 

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mvs sarma

Well-Known Member

• May 18, 2010

• #2

just use a dmm , one 3.3K resistor and a 12V supply to check out. Connect the 12V + supply to resistor. other side of resistor can be connected to the cathode of diode (marked side) the second side of diode can return to -ve of supply.
use DMM as DC voltmeter and measure across the diode
if it is zenor of less than 12V type, the value would be read
if it is ordinary diode, it would not conduct at 12V, and the meter reads full supply voltage.
this solves you problem rather than imagination.

 

Last edited: May 18, 2010

1

1-3-2-4

Member

• May 18, 2010

• #3

I don't have any 3.3K resistors on hand can I use 2.2?

they appear to be 1N4148 diodes

 

Last edited: May 18, 2010

C

cowana

New Member

• May 18, 2010

• #4

2K2s will be fine (for testing). That middle diode in the picture is def a 1N4148.

A

 

mvs sarma

Well-Known Member

• May 18, 2010

• #5

yes, some appear to be 4148
they were handwritten, why , i wonder
as these components are low wattage
you may use resistor little on higher side
like 3.9K, 4.7K etc
anyway you may use two nos of 2.2K 9n series to make 4.4K

 

Mickster

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 18, 2010

• #6

Also agree on the likely 1N4148's in the pic.

If you have any other equipment you can cannibalise, look for diodes marked with a digit-V-digit... e.g. 5V3.

HTH.

 

1

1-3-2-4

Member

• May 18, 2010

• #7

I just took some out of a Canon battery charger for a XL2 camcorder anyways the PCB labeled them as ZD1, 2 , 3 and so on.

Now that I look at them I don't see any "V" markings but just numbers?

 

Mickster

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 18, 2010

• #8

Do you see any BZX or BZY markings?

You may need a jeweller's loupe, or some other form of magnification to see any possible markings

 

1

1-3-2-4

Member

• May 18, 2010

• #9

nope just B12 or B62 that's all that's printed on it.