Guys, it's not that complicated! Max ordered surface mount componenets by mistake when he was trying to buy the familiar 2 terminal current regulating diodes in the standard package that we've talked about here many times over the last several years...
For some stupid reason these surface mount versions have 3 terminals instead of 2 and the manufacturer says you have to short 2 of them together in order to use it in its standard 2 terminal configuration. That's 3 terminals with 2 shorted together to make the equivalent of 2 terminals... Got it? Same component, different package, one extra requirement in order to use them. I don't have any trouble understanding this. It may seem silly, but haven't we all seen plenty of strange requirements for using semiconductor devices over the years? Be well, Mike D. > I could be wrong, but suspect the "three legged diodes" are actually a > reference to three-terminal current regulators - or possibly to voltage > regulators. These were mentioned a while ago as a method of getting > simple current regulation for CS generator applications, and in context > with regular regulator (current) diodes with two legs, not shortened > (Eeww! Sorry, almost) Malcolm > > At 11:28 AM 10/15/06 -0500, you wrote: > > >Morning V and The List, > > > > >> At 05:53 PM 10/14/2006, you wrote: > > > >> tere is a spec sheet that comes with theu little diodes that tells > >> > >> which leads to short together. > > > > I think you and others have used this term, "Which Leads to short > > together". > > > >It has been a bit confusing to me, raises some questions, and may be > >misleading to others. > > > >I have used many diodes over the years, likely numbering into the > >thousands. At one time, the systems in the field were not perfect, the > > manufactures did not have all their ducks in a row, and we had to > >interface systems, build small circuits on the job site, and even piece > > together a diode matrix now and then. I would buy them 50 and 100 at > >the time and felt I cold not hit the road without a bag of diodes. > > > >I thought I had used them in every imaginable fashion, but maybe not. > > > >Still, the term "which leads to short together" leave me in AWE and a > >state of confusion. > > > >Literally, shorting the leads together can mean only one thing. > >That is, unless the mounting / support lead enters the picture. Short > >one lead to it ? > > > >Still, in my mind, Shorting the leads together can mean only one > >thing. > > > >Possibly you are meaning, "Where to put the diode in the circuit" as > >it would appear to "short together" the two points, but in reality it > >does not. As you know, there is a forward voltage and near a constant > >current for reverse voltage use. > > > >Makes me wonder if several biased in reverse would not work as a > >current limiter. > > > >A short is a short is a short. How can anyone define it differently. > >Shorting the two leads together ( A two lead diode ) would render it > >useless and worthless. > > > >Not trying to muddy up the water that you and others have already > >cleared up, but don't want to see the beginner or the novice to proceed > >with any confusion. Or ....... confusing terms. > > > >Here is a wonderful link for the person starting to learn about diodes. > >http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/diode.htm > > > >There are many "not so normal uses" for diodes. In a bind, they can > >serve as a "Model Rocket Ignitor". > > > >Wayne > > > >======================= > > > > > > > >-- > >The Silver List is a moderated forum for discussing Colloidal Silver. > > > >Instructions for unsubscribing are posted at: http://silverlist.org > > > >To post, address your message to: [email protected] > > > >Address Off-Topic messages to: [email protected] > > > >The Silver List and Off Topic List archives are currently down... > > > >List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >-- > >Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > >Checked by AVG Free Edition. > >Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.7/411 - Release Date: 8/7/06 > > > -- > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.7/411 - Release Date: 8/7/06 > > [Mike Devour, Citizen, Patriot, Libertarian] [[email protected] ] [Speaking only for myself... ]
