C
I'm working on a battery powered circuit that is using a 1N4001 diode to bring the 6V from 4xAA closer to 5V, as well as for protection in case the batteries are put in backwards. The total circuit draws around 0.6A when driving some LEDs and, when doing so, the diode gets pretty toasty. Definitely uncomfortable for prolonged contact. Probably in the high 100's (F).
http://www.hqew.net/news/news-33817
I'm really more of a software guy so a lot of this is new to me. I tried looking at the diode datasheet but it was mostly a bunch of stuff I didn't quite understand. Since it's dropping 0.7V @ 0.6A I realize that it's dissipating 0.42W of power, but it doesn't seem that that would be all that much.
Should I be worried about it being too hot or is this sound like it would be in normal operating conditions.
http://www.hqew.net/news/news-33817
I'm really more of a software guy so a lot of this is new to me. I tried looking at the diode datasheet but it was mostly a bunch of stuff I didn't quite understand. Since it's dropping 0.7V @ 0.6A I realize that it's dissipating 0.42W of power, but it doesn't seem that that would be all that much.
Should I be worried about it being too hot or is this sound like it would be in normal operating conditions.