Help! I have a Really Weird Part

[FuseKiller]

Ok, here is a challenging one for you. I have no part number- it

[AN920]

It is called a Shockley Diode

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_7/3.html

2 of these in anti-parallel used to make a diac

[Ughadoo]

It can be a shockley, but its behavior when voltage drops to +10 V is a bit weird;

[FuseKiller]

When the black band was connected to the resistor, it would not conduct. Well, until there was a lot of DC voltage applied, then it seemed to break down just a bit.  It definitely has the characteristics of a Shockley Diode - that was a huge help. The work around was a zener diode and an SCR. The Zener connected to the gate and anode. Once the SCR gate got enough current, it was on and the Zener was shorted.

One other question: where can I order one (or many) of these and/or do companies still sell them?

Thanks again for the help.

[hotwaterwizard]

(Q)--Is a Shockley the same as a Schottky diode?


(A)--No.

A schottky diode is a fast switching diode with a low forward voltage drop.

A shockley diode on the other hand, also known as a four layer diode, is a thyristor that switches once its breakover voltage is reached.

[mugsby]

it's a shunt voltage regulator