1N4963

Overview

The Microchip Technology 1N4963 is a military-qualified, voidless hermetically sealed glass Zener diode rated for 5 watts of power dissipation. It features a nominal Zener voltage of 16 V with a standard tolerance of ±5%. The device operates within a temperature range of -65°C to +175°C and utilizes an axial lead 'E' package. Key electrical characteristics include a maximum reverse leakage current of 5 µA at 12.2 V, a Zener impedance of 3.5 Ohms at the test current of 75 mA, and a forward voltage of 1.50 V at 1.0 A.

Feature Summary

• Military qualified to MIL-PRF-19500/356 standards for high-reliability applications
• Hermetically sealed voidless-glass construction with internal metallurgical bonds
• Inherently radiation hard as described in Microsemi MicroNote 050
• Non-sensitive to electrostatic discharge per MIL-STD-750 Method 1020

Applications

• High-reliability aerospace systems where failure cannot be tolerated
• Defense electronics requiring robust voltage regulation
• Radiation-hardened circuit designs
• Industrial equipment operating under extreme thermal conditions

Procurement Notes

Verify that the specific order includes the correct suffix if tighter voltage tolerances are required, as the base part number denotes standard 5% tolerance. Confirm compliance with MIL-PRF-19500/356 specifications for military qualification. Ensure the procurement documentation matches the exact manufacturer designation to avoid confusion with surface-mount equivalents or non-qualified commercial grades.

Selection Notes

Select this component when a 5-watt power rating and wide operating temperature range are necessary. The axial lead configuration facilitates through-hole mounting. Consider the JANTX or JANS suffixes if higher reliability levels beyond the standard JAN grade are mandated by the system design requirements.

Part Context

This component belongs to the 1N4954 through 1N4996 series of 5-watt Zener voltage regulators manufactured by Microchip's Scottsdale Division. The series offers Zener voltage selections ranging from 3.3 to 390 volts. These industry-recognized regulators are designed for applications demanding high durability and consistent performance in harsh environments.

Replacement Considerations

Surface-mount equivalents are available in square end-cap MELF configurations with the 'US' suffix (e.g., 1N4963US). Direct pin-to-pin replacement requires verifying package compatibility and ensuring the alternative meets the same MIL-PRF-19500/356 military qualification standards.