Electronic engineers to the rescue: Some Diodes.

[Wummi]

I found this (see attachment) inside a Sony ICF 2001 (Radio)

I can not imagine what it would be good for.

Can any of you?

[Wnderer]

They're clipping some signal. One of the pins is more than likely ground. The signal can't go higher than three diode drops above ground or lower than three diode drops below ground. They were probably getting some glitches that were damaging something down stream.

[koogco]

It seems fairly pointless to have two series of three diodes one in either direction and with no other connections. Perhaps a simple wire would not be able to hold the non conductive material in place?
Mind you, I've only just started on second semester.

EDIT: Wnderer makes a great point!That would make sense.

[GenericAnimeBoy]

Clearly it's the government mind control circuit.

I'm kidding of course. I think Wnderer got it.

[Minerva]

Think of two diodes in parallel, but facing opposite directions.

Current can pass through it in both directions, so an AC waveform can pass through it, but signal amplitudes less than one forward voltage drop (about 600 mV under typical conditions for silicon) are clamped.

Now if you replace the diodes each with a string of three diodes in series, it's the same thing, except it's clipping the waveform if the amplitude is less than three diode forward voltage drops.

I have to admit, though, at first glance that device appears very interesting and strange.