a component that acts as a conductor when voltage is present

[stuntpenguin007]

I'm looking for some kind of component that will act as an conductor when voltage is present, but an insulator when voltage is not present. I also need to trash (get rid of) the voltage after it goes through this component... long story...

[thewise1]

Wait, how much voltage do you want to insulate until it will let the voltage through?

By the way a conductor that changes depending on the situation is called a semiconductor.

Also if you mean a component that will only let voltage through when it get's high enough is called a zenar diode.

[stuntpenguin007]

I'm not sure how much voltage it's going to be yet, but definitely not more than 5V. A zener diode sounds like it's exactly what I need. Will I need to read the package they come in to see how much voltage has to be present? Or is there a standard voltage?

[Triton]

IIRC the common breakdown voltage for a zener diode is ~5.1v

[stuntpenguin007]

Thanks. I'm wiki-ing it right now.

[kibble]

There's lots of different zeners you can choose from, I've used some as high as 180V.

[gannon]

Also, how much current do you need? And what do you mean by "trash the voltage"?

[SpongeBuell]

Also, how much current do you need? And what do you mean by "trash the voltage"?

I think that means something without capacitance.