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Thread: a few diodes,if you please

  1. #1
    NATY Newbie
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    a few diodes,if you please

    need to understand how a diode (current limit?)..I have seen in some older
    gear,..a diode glowing,...not an LED,...thought maybe being driven in inverse?...

    thanx


  2. #2
    smanches Excellent smanches Excellent smanches Excellent smanches Excellent smanches Excellent
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    It probably wasn't a diode but a neon lamp if it was for current limiting? Aren't neon lamps used for that at times, or were?

  3. #3
    kchriste Excellent kchriste Excellent kchriste Excellent kchriste Excellent kchriste Excellent kchriste Excellent kchriste Excellent kchriste Excellent kchriste Excellent
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    I've seen some LEDs like that. They look like an ordinary small signal diode, similar in style to a 1N4148, but are actually LEDs. They were being used as status LEDs on a PCB to aid in trouble shooting.
    Inside every little problem, is a big problem trying to get out.

  4. #4
    crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent
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    A neon lamp can be used to generate a constant voltage but not current. The only two terminal devices that are current limiting are some called constant-current diodes, but they usually consist of a JFET with the gate connected to the source to provide the constant current function.
    Carl
    Curmudgeon Elektroniker

  5. #5
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    no,...I don't think so...
    the diode appears in a clock circuit,near a large cap,...does not appear
    as a neon,....(flickering...),...but as a constant glow (red)...equipment is an
    older JVC stereo VHS....

    and thanx for the replies..

  6. #6
    crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent crutschow Excellent
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    Quote Originally Posted by NATY View Post
    the diode appears in a clock circuit,near a large cap,...does not appear
    as a neon,....(flickering...),...but as a constant glow (red)...equipment is an
    older JVC stereo VHS...
    A neon lamp will normally give off a constant orange glow (which can look red with a red filter). They usually only flicker when they get old, after many hours of operation.
    Carl
    Curmudgeon Elektroniker

  7. #7
    Boncuk Excellent Boncuk Excellent Boncuk Excellent Boncuk Excellent Boncuk Excellent Boncuk Excellent Boncuk Excellent
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    Just before everybody tries to solve a riddle how about two photos?
    (one with the device glowing and one off)

    A picture says more than thousand words.

    Boncuk
    Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

  8. #8
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    have yet to post either pics schm,..or other
    do not have camera for my beast here..
    that's why I tried to present my delema as I did..

    also, while wr're it it,..could anyone provide a sch for keyboard or pad
    endcoder...and an example of hard-wired diode mem?

    thanx again..

  9. #9
    kpatz Good kpatz Good
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    Quote Originally Posted by NATY View Post
    no,...I don't think so...
    the diode appears in a clock circuit,near a large cap,...does not appear
    as a neon,....(flickering...),...but as a constant glow (red)...equipment is an
    older JVC stereo VHS....

    and thanx for the replies..
    It's probably a status LED used for troubleshooting. If it's near a large cap, that could be part of the power supply circuit, maybe an indicator that the power is on.

    If it looks like a diode but it glows, it's an LED in a diode-type housing. I too have seen these on some older boards, as status or troubleshooting indicators.

  10. #10
    audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent audioguru Excellent
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    Many years ago they made current-limiting "diodes" (that had two leads like a diode) from a Jfet with its gate connected to its source.
    Uncle $crooge

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