1N914 Diode : Pin Configuration & Its Applications

1N914 diode is a small signal diode and is an alternative to 1N4148. This diode lets the flow of current in only one direction and restricts it in another direction. This diode’s operating junction temperature is 175 ºC whereas the forward surge current is 4A. So it is used widely in power management and industrial-based applications.

This article discusses an overview of 1N914 Diode, pin configuration, features, specifications, circuit working, and its applications.

What is 1N914 Diode?

1N914 diode is one kind of small signal diode, used in different portable devices. It generates maximum resistance in one direction and null resistance in another direction. So, the flow of current will be only in one direction. This unidirectional behavior is known as rectification which can change the current from AC to DC.

Generally, it is a polarized component that includes two terminals namely anode & cathode. The silver mark on this diode will indicate the cathode terminal. This diode will conduct only whenever there is some form of threshold voltage present when it is connected in the mode of forward bias, so it will grab the flow of current in the mode of reverse bias.

Generally, this diode gives nonlinear VI characteristics, but these can be modified with the help of a particular semiconductor & doping impurities that are diffused within this diode material throughout the diode’s manufacturing procedure.

Pin Configuration

The pin configuration of the 1N914 diode is shown below. This diode includes two terminals where each terminal with its functionality is discussed below. Here, the 1N914 diode symbol is shown below.

• Pin1 (Anode): The current supplies are always throughout the anode terminal
• Pin2 (Cathode): The flow of current exists always from the cathode terminal

Features & Specifications

The features & specifications of the 1N914 diode include the following.

• This is a fast switching diode
• Peak repetitive reverse voltage (VRRM) is 100V
• RMS reverse voltage is 75V
• Max forward surge current is 4A
• The forward continuous current is 300mA
• Reverse recovery time is 8ns
• It is accessible in a DO-35 package
• Switching speed (Max) is 4 ns
• Constant reverse voltage (Max) is 75 V
• Max repetitive peak reverse voltage is 100 V
• Max repetitive peak forward current is 225 mA
• Switching speed is fast
• Reliability & conductance is high
• RoHS/Pb free
• Weight is 0.013 grams
• It shows maximum conductance within only one direction and blocks the flow of current in the remaining direction.
• This diode is reliable highly & available at less cost.
• Used in general purpose-based switching applications.
• It is highly durable & AEC-Q101 qualified.

The equivalent 1N914 diode is 1N4148 whereas alternative 1N914 diodes are 1N4007, 1N5408, 1N4733A, 1N5822, etc.

How to use 1N914 Diode?

The 1N914 diode handles low voltage & current. This diode can switch at maximum speed & thus used in switching-based applications but not in rectifier-based applications. A diode allows the flow of current in one way only that is from the Anode side to the cathode.

The max carrying current capacity of this type of diode is 300mA and it can resist peaks up to 4Amps. The fast recovery time of this diode is 8ns at 10mA of a forward current; thus this kind of diode is applicable in the areas where quick switching is concerned. This diode is related to the 1N4148 apart from that diode can resist high reverse currents.

Here, we discuss the transformerless power supply circuit used for illuminating LEDs. In this circuit, 1N914 diode plays a key role and the rating of a capacitor should have > 200V & also it must have poly-poplin/ dialectic of metalizing polyester. In this application circuit, a 1K resistor is used to restrict the in-rush current. So the wattage value of a resistor must have above 1Watt.

The diode in the circuit is connected to the LED in anti-parallel. The main function of this diode is to restrict the reverse voltage beyond the light-emitting diode. This diode provides the lane for the negative half cycle because the LED is allied to an AC power source.

This specific circuit works like 15 to 20mA of stable current source based on voltage bias of LED & stability of supply line through 60Hz nominal power supply frequency. Placing two switches toward the series element of individual LEDs can allow the viewer to contain three colors. In this circuit, the current can be controlled by changing the value of the capacitor. As a result, power LEDs also operated directly using an AC power source.

1N914 Diode Vs 1N4148 Diode

A diode like 1N4148 & 1N914 can be interchangeably used but a 1N4148 diode is an advanced version to 1N914. However, there is not much difference technically but the major difference is, as compared to 1n914 diode, 1n4148 includes less leakage current.

Based on manufacturers like Digikey and NXP, the leakage current is varied 25 nA. So this would make the 1N4148 diode is a better choice than the 1N914 diode. The transformerless LED driver circuit using 1N914 diode is shown below.

Where to use/Applications

The applications of 1N914 diode include the following.

• 1N914 diodes are used in power conversion and rectifiers can be made with these diodes and converts AC to DC to provide better performance.
• These diodes protect extremely responsive electronic devices from overvoltage. In standard situations, these types of diodes are connected in reverse bias & they don’t conduct. Once there is any high voltage surge takes place, then-current will supply & they get connected in forward biased.
• Many ICs are integrated with these types of diodes which obstruct the voltage surge & save the responsive transistors from breaking.
• It is extensively used in industrial applications.
• This diode can be used by portable and power management devices
• This diode is used in the demodulation of AM radio signals.
• Diodes are integrated with other components to make logic gates like OR & AND
• These types of diodes are extensively used as a temperature detecting device as forward voltage drop extremely depends on temperature.

Thus, this is all about an overview of the 1N914 Diode datasheet which includes its pinout, features, specifications, circuit working with applications. Here is a question for you, what are the drawbacks of 1N914 Diode?