1N4973

Single Zener Diodes Overview

The Microchip Technology 1N4973 is a 5 Watt Zener Voltage Regulator featuring a voidless hermetically sealed glass package. It provides a nominal Zener voltage of 43 V with a standard tolerance of ±5%. The device operates within a temperature range of -65°C to +175°C and dissipates up to 5 Watts at a lead temperature of 65°C. Electrical characteristics include a maximum reverse leakage current of 2 µA at 32.7 V, a Zener impedance of 20 Ohms at the test current of 30 mA, and a forward voltage of 1.5 V at 1 A. The component utilizes axial leads for through-hole mounting.

Single Zener Diodes Feature Summary

• Hermetically sealed construction using voidless-glass technology with internal metallurgical bonds
• Military qualification compliant with MIL-PRF-19500/356 standards
• Inherently radiation hard design suitable for harsh environments
• ESD nonsensitive performance verified per MIL-STD-750 Method 1020

Single Zener Diodes Applications

• High-reliability aerospace and defense systems
• Critical military electronic circuits
• Radiation-hardened power regulation modules

Single Zener Diodes Procurement Notes

Verify that the specific unit matches the official datasheet specifications for the 1N4973 part number. Confirm the manufacturer origin, as this series was originally produced by Microsemi Scottsdale Division and is now under Microchip Technology. Ensure the package type corresponds to the axial-lead configuration described in the documentation. Check for any specific suffixes that might indicate tighter voltage tolerances or surface-mount variants if applicable.

Single Zener Diodes Selection Notes

Select this component when a high-power 5 Watt Zener regulator is required for critical applications. The 43 V nominal rating fits within the broader 1N4954-1N4996 series range. Consider the wide operating temperature range and radiation hardness for space or military use. Verify that the axial lead format meets the board layout requirements compared to available surface-mount equivalents.

Single Zener Diodes Part Context

This device belongs to the industry-recognized 1N4954 through 1N4996 series of 5 Watt Zener Voltage Regulators. These components are designed for applications where failure cannot be tolerated. The series offers extensive voltage selections from 3.3 to 390 volts with standard 5% tolerances. Surface-mount versions are available with a 'US' suffix.

Single Zener Diodes Replacement Considerations

Surface-mount equivalents are available in a square end-cap MELF configuration with the 'US' suffix, such as 1N4973US.