1N4002 Diode Substitution?

joelorigo

Well-known member
I just put in 2 orders each to Mouser and Small Bear for parts for 3 pedals and realized I forgot to add a 1n4002 diode to any order. Ugh. I already have these others so I am wondering if any would be a suitable substitute:
1N914
151588
1N5817
1N4744A
1N4733A
BAT41
 
Just FYI: the 1N5817 lets more current through than a 1N4002 which is why it's popular as a surge protection diode. The 1N4002 is pretty much the same in a pedal circuit as using a 1N4001. Or 1N4003, 1N4004, 1N4005... I believe it's just the voltage ratings which are different.

In tube amps 1N4007s are often used in quads as rectifiers. They look a lot like a 1N4001 but have much thicker wire.
 
Just FYI: the 1N5817 lets more current through than a 1N4002 which is why it's popular as a surge protection diode. The 1N4002 is pretty much the same in a pedal circuit as using a 1N4001. Or 1N4003, 1N4004, 1N4005... I believe it's just the voltage ratings which are different.

In tube amps 1N4007s are often used in quads as rectifiers. They look a lot like a 1N4001 but have much thicker wire.

OK. And in this case, "polarity protection" is about accidentally plugging in a center positive adapter, correct? So if I never do that, the difference in the diode doesn't matter?

On the other hand, if I do accidentally plug it in with a center positive, even though the 1N5817 lets more current through, the circuit will still be protected?
 
That kind of shunt diode protection does nothing to limit the fault current. If you connected a 9V batter backwards, you'd smoke some traces on the board. Most pedal power supplies limit the current to a safe level. Any diode rated for 1A or higher will suffice. That includes the 1N4xxx series, 1N5806, 1N5817, etc. Small signal diodes like 1N914, 1N4148, BATxx, could fail before the power supply goes into current limit. I prefer the series protection that PedalPCB employs.
 
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