The breakdown voltage rating of the diode is preferred to be 25% higher than the maximum input voltage. In the target application, the power rating for the diode must exceed the maximum DC output current and support the peak current limit (I_PEAK current limit) for best reliability in most applications.

For example, the LM5012EVM uses the V8P12-M3/86-A Schottky diode. The 120-V breakdown voltage rating and 8-A current rating ensure that the design can support a 100-V input and a short-circuit condition without any reliability concern. Furthermore, being that it is a Schottky diode with a low forward voltage and has small switching losses due to its low junction capacitance, the efficiency figure of the design can be optimized. With what loss does occur in the device, the package of the diode must be selected so it can have good heat conduction out of it into the copper ground plane.