1N4007 — General-Purpose Rectifier Diode (1000V, 1A)

Overview

The 1N4007 is a standard 1.0 Amp general-purpose silicon rectifier diode housed in a 2-terminal DO-41 axial-lead plastic package. Universally included in Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and electronics starter kits (Elegoo, SunFounder), it is the most widely produced power diode in history.

Rated for a maximum peak repetitive reverse voltage ( $V_{RRM}$ ) of $1000\text{ Volts}$ and a continuous forward current ( $I_{F(AV)}$ ) of $1.0\text{ Ampere}$ , the 1N4007 is primarily deployed as a flyback protection diode across inductive loads (relays, DC motors, solenoids) to suppress back-EMF voltage spikes, as reverse-polarity protection in DC power circuits, and as a low-frequency AC mains rectifier.

Quick reference


Diode Type	Silicon PN Junction Power Rectifier Diode
Package	DO-41 (DO-204AL) Axial Lead Plastic Package
Cathode Marking	Silver / White band painted on package body indicates Cathode (-)
Peak Repetitive Reverse Voltage ( $V_{RRM}$ )	$1000\text{ V}$ max
RMS Reverse Voltage ( $V_{RMS}$ )	$700\text{ V}$ max
Average Rectified Forward Current ( $I_{F(AV)}$ )	$1.0\text{ A}$ (at $T_A = 75^\circ\text{C}$ )
Non-Repetitive Peak Surge Current ( $I_{FSM}$ )	$30\text{ A}$ ( $8.3\text{ ms}$ single half sine-wave pulse)
Forward Voltage Drop ( $V_F$ )	$1.1\text{ V}$ max at $I_F = 1.0\text{A}$
Reverse Leakage Current ( $I_R$ )	$5.0\ \mu\text{A}$ at rated $V_{RRM}$

Physical Structure & Polarity Identification

text

             Cathode (-)                  Anode (+)
           (Silver Band) 
              ┌──────┐
      ────────┤  ||  ├────────
              └──────┘

Silver / White Band: Marks the Cathode (-) terminal.
Plain Black End: Marks the Anode (+) terminal.
Forward Conduction: Current flows freely from Anode to Cathode when $V_{Anode} - V_{Cathode} \ge 0.7\text{V}$ .
Reverse Blocking: Current is blocked when $V_{Cathode} > V_{Anode}$ (up to $1000\text{V}$ ).

Specifications

Parameter	Symbol	Min	Typ	Max	Unit	Conditions
Peak Repetitive Reverse Volts	$V_{RRM}$	1000	—	—	V	Maximum reverse blocking
Average Forward Current	$I_{F(AV)}$	—	—	1.0	A	$T_A = 75^\circ\text{C}$ , half sine wave
Peak Surge Forward Current	$I_{FSM}$	—	—	30	A	$8.3\text{ ms}$ single half-cycle
Forward Voltage Drop	$V_F$	—	0.85	1.1	V	$I_F = 1.0\text{A}, T_J = 25^\circ\text{C}$
Reverse Leakage Current	$I_R$	—	0.05	5.0	µA	$V_R = 1000\text{V}, T_J = 25^\circ\text{C}$
Typical Junction Capacitance	$C_J$	—	15	—	pF	$V_R = 4.0\text{V}, f = 1.0\text{ MHz}$

Flyback Diode Application (Inductive Protection)

When switching off inductive loads (such as a 5V relay coil or DC motor) via a transistor, collapsing magnetic fields generate a massive negative voltage spike (Back-EMF) $V = -L \cdot \frac{di}{dt}$ that can exceed $-100\text{V}$ , destroying driving transistors.

Placing a 1N4007 in reverse parallel across the inductive load safely recirculates and dissipates the inductive current loop: