I do not think that it is current that would kill schottky diode, it is
reverse voltage that might do it in. Some of very old meters were putting
100 mA on low ohm range, but I do not think that there are any of those left
functional. Most digital meters use 1 mA current source and then measure
voltage. I understand that some of those DVMs have output voltage that
reaches level of its supply buttery and that is where you can damage a
schottky.
Oops, I went to check my Fluke and that is one of those 'schottky diode
damaging meters' that applies 8 V plus to output terminals at no load; I was
under impression that Fluke used a voltage clamp for all Ohm ranges, but, I
guess, I was fooled. It is funny that my 'Harbor Freight Special', $3.99
meter is using 0.85 mA and output voltage does not exceed 2.6 V, what would
be satisfactory for schottky diodes used in sampling bridges.
Regards
Miroslav Pokorni
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miles" <jmiles@...>
To: <hp_agilent_equipment@...>
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 7:56 AM
Subject: RE: [hp_agilent_equipment] Re: hp 83522a 2.4 ghz rf plug for 8350b
Couple of ways:
1) See how well it acts as a mixer in the frequency range in question.
(This is what I usually test, since the DUT is usually part of a mixer
assembly.)
2) Use a curve tracer with appropriate current limits.
3) Look up the diode's maximum forward current limit and make sure that
your
VOM doesn't exceed it. Possibly need to disable autoranging on the meter
to
make sure.
-- jm
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard W. Murray OLS OLIP [mailto:inertial@...]
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 11:11 PM
To: hp_agilent_equipment@...
Subject: Re: [hp_agilent_equipment] Re: hp 83522a 2.4 ghz rf plug for
8350b
Gleamfollower
Any suggestions on how to test a schotsky diode.
Thanks
Richard
