[Amps] Shunt resistors for a bridge made of 6A10 diodes in

[Bill Turner]

------------ ORIGINAL MESSAGE ------------(may be snipped)

On Wed, 3 Feb 2016 12:15:45 -0500, K5GW wrote:

>Avalanche diodes do not need to be identical. The diodes are in series so  
>the reverse leakage current is the same in all diodes. When a diode reaches 
>the  avalanche voltage the voltage drop stabilizes much like a zener diode  
>does.
> 

REPLY:

As I understand it, all diodes have an avalanche (zener) voltage. The
question is whether it can withstand the power dissipated at that
voltage and reverse current. A diode which is not specifically
designed to operate in avalanche mode may fail. 

Better safe than sorry, IMO. Either match them by batch or use
equalizing resistors. 

Even better, use one of the encapsulated 20 kV diodes mentioned in an
earlier post. Four of them are less than $12.

73, Bill W6WRT