Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: kardenm on April 16, 2010, 10:40:13 am

Title: Zener diode substution
Post by: kardenm on April 16, 2010, 10:40:13 am

Can a zener diode (7.5volt/1 watt) be replaced with a similar but not exact diode?   For instance would a 6.8volt/1w work in its place??

Title: Re: Zener diode substution
Post by: WhereEaglesDare on April 16, 2010, 01:24:19 pm

really depends on the application..  Usually Zener Diodes are there to protect the circuit from power distortions and feedback...  Depending on where it is in the circuit I would most likely find an exact replacement.  Try Mouser Electronics or NEC.  In fact the NEC site should have a substitution chart on site somewhere so you can get the most compatible Zener to what you had.

Ive used Mouser Electronics for years when I had my own repair shop, never any issues with them.

Also you gotta think of tolerance.  6.8volt from a 7.5 volt, that is a 10% difference and may cause a lot of unwanted effects.  Usually if a component is out of tolerance more than 5% in CRTs they need to be replaced.