[Diode Spec Question]

[Harry Bissell]

The "Forward Voltage" (drop) of a diode must be shown as a curve, with a
"knee" or specified at one or more currents. For a power rectifier, it is
usually the maximum drop (at maximum current) just before the device frys...
for a signal diode, this max spec. is meaningless. You need to know the
current you will use it at... more current, more forward drop. OR... this spec
is just an error !!!  :-) Harry Bissell

owner-synth-diy at mailhost.bpa.nl wrote:
I just purchased a pack of 1N34A Germanium diodes from Radio Shack and I
don't understand one of the ratings.  On the card, a rating for "forward
voltage" is spec'd at 1 volt.  I am assuming that this is not the same
as the forward voltage drop, which should be 0.3 volts for Germanium.  Can
someone explain what this means to someone designing a circuit with this
part?

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