Constant-current diode
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Current_limiting_diode_symbol.svg/80px-Current_limiting_diode_symbol.svg.png)
Aconstant-current diodeis an electronic device that limits current to a maximal specified value for the device. It is known as acurrent-limiting diode(CLD) orcurrent-regulating diode(CRD).
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Current_limiting_diode_-_internal_structure.svg/150px-Current_limiting_diode_-_internal_structure.svg.png)
It consists of an n-channelJFETwith the gate shorted to the source, which functions like a two-terminal current limiter (analogous to a voltage-limitingZener diode). It allows a current through it to rise to a certain value, but not higher.
Note that some devices are unidirectional and voltage across the device must have only one polarity for it to operate as a CLD, whereas other devices are bidirectional and can operate properly with either polarity.
Wide-bandgap materialssuch assilicon carbidehave been used in production devices to enable high-voltage applications in the kilovolt range.[1]
References
[edit]- ^"CALY Technologies SiC CLD devices".CALY Technologies.Retrieved26 April2020.
External links
[edit]- IEEE 315 symbol for current-regulating diode
- Advantages of Constant Current Regulators (CCR) in Driving LEDsonYouTube
- Diode
- CLD diode datasheet,MCC
- CRD diode datasheet,Semitec
- J500 diode datasheet,Linear Systems / Siliconix / Vishay
- 1N5283 to 1N5314 diode datasheet,Central Semiconductor
- JFET
- 2N5457/8/9 & MMBF5457/8/9 JFET datasheet,ON Semiconductor (Former Fairchild)