Zener wattage

sticky1138

Well-known member
Does the wattage of a zener diode matter for the purpose of building pedals?

For example, if a build calls for a 9.1V 1/2W zener, is a 9.1V 1W an acceptable substitute?

I am building the Narcissus, which calls for three of them, and from my limited knowledge it looks like they might be clipping diodes. Would using a higher wattage affect the sound?
 
Wattage isn't terribly critical in the case of the Narcissus. Those are just used to protect the MOSFETs from ESD.
Wattage also isn't important when used as clipping diodes.

Lower wattage will be physically smaller and easier to bend / install.

If it's used to drop a voltage or as an overvoltage protection diode (like the Klon) the wattage might be a consideration... Although in the case of the Klon it's probably going to be destroyed in the event of overvoltage / reverse polarity anyway.
 
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