Editing Reverse Protection Diodes

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Here you can see the diode D3 in place, directly connected to the [[Barrel Power Jack]].
 
Here you can see the diode D3 in place, directly connected to the [[Barrel Power Jack]].
  
These type diodes can also be used, four at a time, in an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode_bridge bridge rectifier] configuration. I don't have a good image (now you do), but an bridge rectifier takes an AC signal and rectifies it to a DC signal (neat trick actually). A bridge rectifier circuit will also work with a DC supply.  This allows the "reverse protection" trick to become an "I don't care" trick -- whichever way the polarity of the input voltage is, the circuit will still work.  The downside is that you lose 2 diode drops or about 1.3V.  NOTE -- you have to disconnect the input power from ground to make this work.
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These type diodes can also be used, four at a time, in an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode_bridge bridge rectifier] configuration. I don't have a good image (now you do), but an bridge rectifier takes an AC signal and rectifies it to a DC signal (neat trick actually). A bridge rectifier circuit will also work with a DC supply.  This allows the "reverse protection" trick to become an "I don't care" trick -- whichever way the polarity of the input voltage is, the circuit will still work.  The downside is that you lose 2 diode drops or about 1.3V.
  
 
Diodes come in all shapes and sizes. For this posting, we only care about cheap, bulky, large current diodes. These diodes can handle 1-2A each and are cheap. For some our mass designs, we prefer the surface mount diodes (MBRA140). The MBRA140 comes in an SMA package (hopelessly confused with the SMA antenna connector - who came up with this?!). Many other diodes come in axial packages perfect for bread boarding. They all work the same - there is an anode and a cathode. I was always told to remember the <b>a</b>node is the <b>a</b>rrow, the bar is the cathode, and current flows in the direction of the arrow. Cool huh?
 
Diodes come in all shapes and sizes. For this posting, we only care about cheap, bulky, large current diodes. These diodes can handle 1-2A each and are cheap. For some our mass designs, we prefer the surface mount diodes (MBRA140). The MBRA140 comes in an SMA package (hopelessly confused with the SMA antenna connector - who came up with this?!). Many other diodes come in axial packages perfect for bread boarding. They all work the same - there is an anode and a cathode. I was always told to remember the <b>a</b>node is the <b>a</b>rrow, the bar is the cathode, and current flows in the direction of the arrow. Cool huh?

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