I compared 1N400x diodes here. As far as I see, all of their properties are same other than their maximum reverse voltages.
Their
- maximum current
- recovery time
- reverse leakage current
- capacitance
are the same.
It looks like 1N4007 is the super version of all other 1N400x diodes. So, why would one produce 1N4001...1N4006 diodes, and why would one buy them? If 1N4007 does the job alone, then why are the other versions still in the market?
Answer
The answers by @Vasiliy and @johnfound are incorrect. 1N400x diodes are not all identical except for "accidental" manufacturing variations.
Diodes with higher reverse voltage ratings are intentionally manufactured with lighter doping so that the depletion region for a given reverse voltage is wider than it otherwise would be. The disadvantage with lighter doping is that the forward resistance and voltage drop for a high-voltage diode is higher than it would be for a lower-voltage diode.
So, you can use a 1N4007 for all of your applications, but your circuit efficiency will be slightly higher if you use a more appropriately-rated diode in low-voltage applications.
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