1N4001

The 1N4001 is a general-purpose silicon rectifier diode in the 1N400x family. It is designed for low-voltage rectification in power supplies and similar circuits, and remains widely used in both hobbyist and industrial electronics due to its simplicity and low cost.

Key specifications include a maximum repetitive reverse voltage (VRRM) of 50 volts and a maximum average forward current (IF(AV)) of 1 ampere. The device can withstand a non-repetitive peak forward surge current of about 30 amperes. It has a relatively slow reverse-recovery time compared with fast-switching diodes, which makes it suitable for low-frequency rectification rather than high-speed switching. The forward voltage drop is typically around 0.7 to 1.0 volts at rated current.

The 1N4001 is commonly packaged in a DO-41 axial package and operates over a temperature range typical of -55 to +150 degrees Celsius, though exact limits depend on the manufacturer. It represents the lowest-voltage rating in the 1N400x series; higher-voltage variants include 1N4002 (100 V) through 1N4007 (1000 V).

Applications for the 1N4001 include rectifying AC to DC in power supplies, adapters, and general-purpose low-voltage rectification tasks. It is often used in bridge rectifier configurations alongside other diodes. Due to its slow recovery, it is less suitable for high-frequency or high-speed switching applications, where faster rectifiers are preferred.

The 1N4001 has been produced by numerous manufacturers for decades and remains a standard component in many catalogs, valued for its robustness, availability, and straightforward characteristics.