Defective Diode

Hi, just connected a IR diode to a driver, then to 3 volts, worked fine for a few seconds (i know the driver worked because i tested it with other diodes). So, in like 2 seconds, i hear a sizzling sound and then a small, sharp, POP! The diode was no more, then i tested the other 2 diodes that came in the package, and they worked fine. Any idea why this happened?

Thanks

SO -- I'm surprised at the sound. Like what sizzled and popped?
I have never seen or heard a LD do that. That sounds like a resistor or a transistor letting the smoke out. The driver should have died.
I'm guessing that the driver is passing some amount of current unregulated now -- Check it closley.

Mike

Well, it was actually the diode that made the sizzling sound, i put my ear up to it.

Did you have the diode in a heatsink?? That's a lot of power to do that.

Mike

No, i was testing it without a heatsink.