A general-purpose Schottky diode manufactured by the Vishay Corporation appears in
Fig. 16.5 with the maximum ratings and electrical characteristics. Note in the maximum
ratings that the peak V R is limited to 30 V and the maximum forward current is limited to
200 mA 0.2 A. However, it can handle a surge current of 5 A if necessary. The electrical
characteristics reveal that at low currents neighboring 1 mA (just above the turn-on level)
the forward voltage is a maximum of 0.32 V, which is significantly less than the 0.7 V of a
typical silicon diode. The current must reach a level approaching 80 mA before the forward