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Microchip Technology 1N966A
- Part No.:
- 1N966A
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Single Zener Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AA, DO-7, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
1N966A.pdf
- Description:
- DIODE ZENER 16V 500MW DO7
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:6,528
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Product details
Overview
1N966A from Microsemi is a silicon 500 mW axial-leaded Zener diode in DO-35 (DO-204AH) package, rated for 16 V nominal Zener voltage with ±10% tolerance, 7.8 mA Zener test current, and 700 Ω maximum Zener impedance at IZT. It operates across –65°C to +175°C and regulates voltage in low-power reference and protection circuits.
For engineers reviewing the 1N966A datasheet, 1N966A pinout, 1N966A application, or 1N966A equivalent, key selection criteria include its 16 V regulation point, ±10% tolerance (A suffix), 0.5 W power rating at 50°C lead temperature, DO-35 mechanical compatibility, and cathode-band polarity marking for unidirectional reverse-bias operation.
Technical Context
The 1N966A functions as a passive voltage reference by operating in reverse breakdown, where its Zener voltage remains stable over a defined current range (IZK = 0.25 mA min, IZM = 24 mA max). Its temperature coefficient of +0.083 %/°C indicates positive drift with rising junction temperature - critical for precision biasing in wide-temperature environments.
Designed for axial-leaded through-hole mounting, it features hermetically sealed glass construction, tin-lead or RoHS-compliant matte-tin plating, and meets MIL-STD-750 ESD immunity requirements. Thermal resistance is 250 °C/W junction-to-lead (3/8″ lead length) and 310 °C/W junction-to-ambient on FR4 board.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nominal Zener Voltage | 16 V - defines regulated output voltage under 7.8 mA test current; ±10% tolerance per A suffix. |
| Power Dissipation | 500 mW at TL < 50°C - maximum steady-state power at 3/8″ lead length; derates linearly above 50°C. |
| Zener Impedance | 700 Ω max @ IZT - limits regulation error under varying load current; measured with 10% AC ripple superimposed on DC test current. |
| Reverse Leakage Current | 5 μA max @ 12.2 V - ensures minimal parasitic current below knee voltage; critical for low-power standby circuits. |
| Temperature Coefficient | +0.083 %/°C - quantifies Zener voltage drift per degree Celsius; enables thermal error budgeting in analog references. |
| Operating Temperature | –65°C to +175°C - supports aerospace, industrial, and downhole applications requiring extreme environmental resilience. |
| Forward Voltage | 1.3 V max @ 200 mA - defines conduction threshold in forward bias; relevant for polarity protection or clamping configurations. |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-35 (DO-204AH) - hermetically sealed axial-leaded glass body, 0.2 g weight, cathode indicated by colored band. Terminals are solderable tin-lead or RoHS-compliant matte tin per MIL-STD-750 Method 2026.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Non-banded end | Connected to lower-potential node in Zener regulation; forward conduction path when biased positively relative to cathode. |
| Cathode | Banded end | Connected to higher-potential node during reverse-bias regulation; Zener breakdown occurs here at 16 V. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Junction-to-lead thermal resistance | 250 °C/W - enables accurate thermal modeling for PCB layout and heatsinking in high-reliability designs. |
| Nonsensitive to ESD | Per MIL-STD-750 Method 1020 - eliminates need for external ESD protection in handling and assembly. |
| Hermetic glass seal | DO-35 package - provides long-term stability and moisture resistance unmatched by plastic-packaged Zeners. |
| Minimal capacitance | Typical <1.5 pF (per Figure 3) - preserves high-frequency signal integrity in RF bias and timing circuits. |
| Radiation hardness | Inherently radiation hard per MicroNote 050 - suitable for space-grade and nuclear instrumentation applications. |
Applications
| Industrial Power Supply Reference | Overvoltage Protection Clamp |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Stable 16 V reference for feedback loop in isolated DC-DC converters operating from –40°C to +85°C ambient. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Passive voltage reference providing setpoint for error amplifier; replaces precision shunt regulator where cost and simplicity are prioritized. Use Value: Delivers ±10% regulation accuracy with +0.083 %/°C TC, enabling predictable loop gain across temperature without active compensation. |
Use Scenario: Clamping transient surges on 12 V automotive sensor lines exposed to load-dump events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Reverse-biased Zener acting as crowbar element; conducts only above 16 V to divert excess energy to ground. Use Value: Withstands 200 mA surge current (IZSM) and operates reliably from –65°C to +175°C, meeting AEC-Q101 stress requirements for under-hood use. |
| Low-Power Analog Sensor Bias | Military-Grade Voltage Monitor |
Use Scenario: Providing excitation voltage to piezoresistive pressure sensors in battery-powered IoT nodes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-quiescent-current Zener reference sourcing ≤1 mA; used with series resistor to limit power dissipation. Use Value: Draws only 5 μA leakage at 12.2 V, extending battery life while maintaining 16 V regulation within ±10% over shelf-life. |
Use Scenario: Monitoring 15 V rail in avionics subsystems requiring failure detection at >16.5 V threshold. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision threshold detector using comparator input referenced to 16 V Zener; leverages tight thermal stability. Use Value: +0.083 %/°C TC and hermetic DO-35 packaging ensure consistent trip point across mission-critical temperature cycles without recalibration. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Zener regulation applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1N966B | Same 16 V nominal voltage but ±5% tolerance (B suffix) vs. ±10% for 1N966A; identical ZZT, IZT, and thermal specs. | Preferred where tighter voltage accuracy is required, e.g., in feedback networks demanding <±0.8 V deviation. | Select 1N966B when design margin allows tighter tolerance; no PCB change needed - same DO-35 footprint and polarity marking. |
| 1N4742A | 12 V nominal voltage, ±5% tolerance, 1 W power rating, DO-41 package; higher power and different voltage than 1N966A. | Suitable for higher-current regulation or where 12 V reference is acceptable; requires layout change due to larger DO-41 body. | Choose 1N4742A only if 12 V suffices and board space accommodates DO-41; not a drop-in replacement for 1N966A. |
Compared with 1N966B and 1N4742A, the 1N966A offers the lowest-cost 16 V reference with ±10% tolerance and DO-35 compatibility, making it optimal for cost-sensitive industrial controls where moderate accuracy suffices and legacy axial-leaded assembly is maintained.
Availability
1N966A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial power supply reference, overvoltage protection clamp, low-power analog sensor bias, and military-grade voltage monitor applications requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for 1N966A includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Microsemi (now part of Microchip Technology) is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in high-reliability analog, RF, and radiation-hardened components for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.
The 1N966A belongs to Microsemi's legacy 1N957B–1N992B DO-35 Zener series, engineered for ruggedized voltage regulation in harsh environments where hermetic sealing, wide temperature operation, and ESD immunity are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the Zener voltage tolerance of the 1N966A?
The 1N966A has a nominal Zener voltage of 16 V with ±10% tolerance, as indicated by the "A" suffix per Microsemi's documentation. This means the actual measured Zener voltage at 7.8 mA test current falls between 14.4 V and 17.6 V at 25°C. The tolerance is guaranteed across the full operating temperature range and does not include additional drift from temperature coefficient effects.
Can the 1N966A be used in surface-mount designs?
No - the 1N966A is exclusively packaged in the axial-leaded DO-35 (DO-204AH) glass body and is not a surface-mount device. For SMT equivalents, Microsemi offers the MLL966B series in DO-213AA (MELF) package; however, the 1N966A itself requires through-hole mounting and cannot be reflowed or placed on standard SMT lines.
What is the maximum surge current rating for the 1N966A?
The 1N966A has a maximum surge current (IZSM) rating of 120 mA, specified for a square-wave or half-sine pulse of 1/120 second duration. This value is derived from the device's 500 mW power rating and thermal mass, and applies only to short-duration transients - sustained current must remain below 24 mA (IZM) to avoid permanent degradation.
Does the 1N966A meet RoHS requirements?
The base 1N966A is not RoHS-compliant by default; RoHS compliance requires the "e3" suffix (e.g., 1N966Ae3), which denotes annealed matte-tin plating instead of traditional tin-lead. Standard 1N966A uses Sn/Pb terminations per MIL-STD-750 Method 2026 and is intended for applications where leaded solder is permitted.
How does the temperature coefficient affect regulation accuracy of the 1N966A?
The 1N966A has a temperature coefficient of +0.083 %/°C, meaning its Zener voltage increases by approximately 13.3 mV per °C rise in junction temperature. Over a 100°C span (e.g., –25°C to +75°C), this introduces up to ±0.83% additional variation beyond the ±10% initial tolerance - a critical factor in precision analog designs requiring sub-1% total error budgets.
1N966A Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- DO-204AA, DO-7, Axial
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Voltage - Zener (Nom) (Vz):
- 16 V
- Tolerance:
- ±10%
- Power - Max:
- 500 mW
- Impedance (Max) (Zzt):
- 17 Ohms
- Current - Reverse Leakage @ Vr:
- 5 µA @ 12.2 V
- Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Max) @ If:
- 1.1 V @ 200 mA
- Operating Temperature:
- -65°C ~ 175°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-7
1N966A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for 1N966A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 1N966A on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for 1N966A reliable?
The price and inventory of 1N966A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for 1N966A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for 1N966A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for 1N966A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for 1N966A?
1N966A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your 1N966A order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for 1N966A?
For technical support, including 1N966A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your 1N966A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that 1N966A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All 1N966A products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that 1N966A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of 1N966A?
All 1N966A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with 1N966A, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The 1N966A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for 1N966A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
1N966A Tags
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