Diode direction/*

[Guest]

I'm building the SSL and I've noticed that the markings on the pcb for the diodes seem to be directional. Are they? Which was do I mount them?

Also, I know that the "**" is for meter sensitivity, but what's the "*" for?

I got it confused with the meter sensitivity and put a 2k resistor in there....hope that doesn't screw anything up.

 

[Milkmansound]

yes - there is an anode and cathode. Notice the little stripe on the diode - if there is a little mark on the PCB that looks like this:

->|-

the stripe goes on the | side if that makes sense.

 

[pstamler]

[quote author="twitchmonitor"]I'm building the SSL and I've noticed that the markings on the pcb for the diodes seem to be directional. Are they? Which was do I mount them?.[/quote]

Milkmansound already answered that, but I want to chime in something, which is that if you're pretty new at this, you should know that electrolytic capacitors also are directional, and the circuit board probably has a "+" sign on one terminal of each electrolytic. A lot of electrolytics these days have the "-" terminal labeled not the "+". Make sure you get it right; an electrolytic wired backwards can explode, frightening the cat.

May I recommend a book called "The Art of Electronics" for a good short course in what these things do and how they're wired? It'll save you some heartache, and a nervous cat.

Peace,
Paul

 

[Milkmansound]

the cat? what about you! Read a book, or watch a video or something if you must - but things are gonna explode because even the best still make a stupid mistake - there is always that little thing you did not check on, and its gonna snap crackle or pop in your face.

 

[Guest]

This cat thing is over my head, but thanks for the help. I'm familliar with the +/- on the capacitors, but I've never done anything with diodes like that before. I picked up that Navy book on Basic Electronics...so far it's really good.

 

[radiance]

[quote author="twitchmonitor"]....I'm familliar with the +/- on the capacitors, but I've never done anything with diodes like that before. ....[/quote]

I'm sure you're familliar with the search engine Google? :wink:
Do a search for the word "diode" .. The third hit is a diode tutorial....