[sdiy] 1N914 vs. 1N4148 ?

[Magnus Danielson]

From: harrybissell <harrybissell at prodigy.net>
Subject: Re: [sdiy] 1N914 vs. 1N4148 ?
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 21:44:53 -0400
Message-ID: <433B4714.979A77C3 at prodigy.net>

> The 0.5% comes in applications that are above the rating of one diode
> and below the other.  I don't have the data sheets in front of me... but
> I believe there
> is a difference in PIV (peak inverse voltage) and also current rating.
> 
> Now (imho) only a jack at ss would use either of these as 'power
> rectifiers'...
> and / or use them where they expected high voltgaes.  In +/-15V
> supplies, in
> most reasonably designed circuits, they are pretty much interchangable.
> 
> I have never seen a circuit where one WOULD work and the other would
> not...
> So I can't give a better example...

I agree...

FWIW the big difference is roughtly:

1N914 is North American default diode.
1N4148 is the European default diode.

For Synth-DIY purposes, I have yeat to see a design which depends the quirks
off either off them. I did compare the datasheets many years ago, and the only
thing that I recall that differs is really the encapsulation.

There are some quite sick applications for the 1N4148 that people would not
assume it was ripe for, but they are not used in any of the Synth-DIY designs
I've seen, but maybe I should cook them up just because it *can* be done! ;O)

Prost!
Magnus - just back from Münich and a week of Octoberfest ;O)