[Amps] B- questions

[Bill, W6WRT]

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:44:01 +0000, Ron Youvan <ka4inm at tampabay.rr.com> wrote:

>   I don't see why hot carrier power diodes can't be used as Ammeter protection, I don't know how 
>much they cost or if they are found at HAMfests.  The typical 35 Volt piV rating is irrelevant in 
>this application.  The speed of a hot carrier power diode will surely surpass silicone.

REPLY:

I have no experience with hot carrier diodes so I can't recommend them. One
thing to be sure of before using them - be sure when they fail due to a current
surge, they fail shorted, not open. Conventional silicon diodes are extremely
reliable this way. 

73, Bill W6WRT