| Many technicians are confused on how to really read | | | | BZX85C22=22Volt 1 watt zener diode (refer to ECG |
| a zener diode code. There are many types of code | | | | PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTORS MASTER |
| number indicated on it's body. The look and shape of a | | | | REPLACEMENT GUIDE) |
| zener diode sometimescan be mistaken to be a | | | | BZY85C22=22Volt 1/2 watt zener diode (refer to |
| normal signal diode. To differentiate it, is by looking at | | | | ECG PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTORS MASTER |
| the codenumber on it's body- whether it is a normal | | | | REPLACEMENT GUIDE) |
| diode or zener diode. Thanks to the manufacturers | | | | Note: There is also part number such as BZVXXXXX |
| where their main boards are printed with the word 'ZD' | | | | where you have to find it from ECG |
| which referred to zener diode and 'D' means a diode. | | | | SEMICONDUCTOR BOOK. |
| However, from my experienced some printed circuit | | | | 1N4746= 18 Volt 1 watt zener diode (refer to ECG |
| board the marking of 'D' also can represent zener | | | | PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTORS MASTER |
| diode. This will misled a technician into believing a zener | | | | REPLACEMENT GUIDE) |
| diode is actually a diode. We as a technician or | | | | 6C2=6.2 Volt zener diode. (If you look at the zener |
| engineer must know or be sensitive about the marking. | | | | diode code it is written as 6C2 READING FROM TOP |
| The only way to find out is by referring the code | | | | TO BOTTOM) Don't read from bottom to top |
| number printed on the component's body from a | | | | otherwise the value you get is 2C6 which you cannot |
| semiconductor data book. Without data book it is quite | | | | find from data book! |
| difficult to know the actual zener diode voltage. If you | | | | I believe many will ask how do I get the voltage for the |
| do not have the data book you may go to google | | | | code of 6C2. Still refer to ECG book, you have to |
| search engine and type the following code and hope | | | | search for HZ part number. That's mean instead of |
| you can find the answer there! A wrong substitution of | | | | finding 6C2, search for HZ6C2 and you will get the |
| zener diode may caused your equipment to | | | | answer! The lowest zener voltage that I came across |
| malfunction and sometimes will even blow your | | | | was 2.4 volt and the highest was 200 Volt 5 watt. |
| equipment. Time and money are loss due to that we | | | | Conclusion- Be alert when checking the part number |
| lack of knowledge of identify the right zener diode | | | | of a zener diode. Don't always assume that a small |
| voltage. If you are unable to identify the code, do not | | | | signal diode is always a zener diode. Carefully observe |
| worry as this newsletter are here to guide you to | | | | the marking on the main board and read the zener |
| successfully on how to read the zener diode code. | | | | diode part number refer to the semiconductor book, |
| 5.1=5.1Volt zener diode | | | | preferably ECG SEMICONDUCTOR DATA BOOK |
| 5V1=5.1Volt zener diode | | | | which you can get from your local electronic distributor. |
| 12= 12 Volt zener diode | | | | With this knowledge in mind, you will be successfully |
| 12V= 12 Volt zener diode | | | | find the right voltage of a zener diode. |