Diodes

Basics
The diode is a electronic version of the non-return valve. It allows electron flow in one
direction but not the other. It should be noted that the symbol is pointing to the 'conventional flow' where
current is said to flow from the positive to the negative. The reality is that electron flow is from the
negative to the positive and understanding on how the diode functions requires investigating this.
When the voltage is applied across the diode so that electron flow is allowed this is referred to
as Forward-Bias, when the voltage is applied so that electron flow is blocked this is referred to as
Reverse Bias .
There is a small volt drop when the diode is orward !iased which remains virtually constant
independent of "urrent flow. This is about #.$v for %ilicon and #.&v for 'ermanium.
In (everse bias electron flow other than a small Leakage current is blocked up until the
)iode breaksdown. The voltage this breakdown occurs is called the Peak Inverse Voltage (PIV),
when the *I+ is e,ceeded the diode will generally have failed although there are specialist diodes -called
Zener Diodes. used in voltage regulation which are designed to normally work in (everse !ias.
Working Princial
/ diode consists of P-t!e -material with slight electron deficit sometimes imagined as having positive
holes. and "-t!e -material with slight electron e,cess.. This may be manufactured by the use of doping
agents in semiconductor material such as 'ermanium or %ilicon. The 0uncture of the two materials is
called the deletion #one as it contains niether e,cess electrons or postivie holes into which the
electrons can enter.
When a forward bias voltage is applied there is a tendency for the electrons and positive holes
to be drawn into the depletion layer collapsing it until current can flow freely. When a reverse bias is
applied the electrons and positive holes are drawn away from the depletion layer e,panding it and
preventing current flow
/lthough for most circumstances the voltage drop may be considered fi,ed there are a few
instances were the slight increase in voltage drop with increaseing current is part of the design of the
circuit so must be understood. The actual current flow for a given voltage drop is give by the Diode
$%uation and contains variables such as %aturation current, applied voltage and diode temperature.
&esting
In the following the red lead on a meter is considered to be postive and the black negative. Although
this may seen obvious it should be noted that for some older type analogue meters this polarity is
reversed when it is set to read Resistance
1ost modern meters are able to forward bias a diode when set to measure resistance. 2o
meaningful information can be read off the meter however as it is an ohmic value dependent on variables
of the meter itself.
%ome meters have a Diode '(eck facility. 3se of this will in orward bias will give a +oltage
value equivalent to the nominal forward bias voltage.
It is unlikely that the meter will be able to generate the 4#v required to e,ceed the *eak
Inverse +oltage to cause the diode to breakdown. /s for most )iodes this would caue there destruction
this becomes unecessary. 5owever, devices such as an Insulation Tester - 1egger. can easily e,ceed this
and for this reason all diodes should be disconnected from a device before they are used.
)ecialist &!es
Zener Diode- these are diodes which may be used in the (everse biased mode where they breakdown at
a known voltage and allow current flow. They are used primarily in voltage stabilising circuits
. The stabiliser circuit consists of the 6ener diode and a
Droer Resistor across which takes the e,cess voltage.
Free W(eeling Diodes - sometimes referred to as Inductor "ommuting are a standard diode placed
across the coil of a coil. These are typically found on relays.
When the supply is turned off the coil the collapsing magentic field causes a high voltage to
be generated which can cause arcing at the switch. The diode disapates the current slowing down the
collapse of the field - and thereby slowing the repsonse of the relay which may cause problems in some
electronic circuits.
Lig(t $*itting Diode- 7lectrons flowing through a *2 0unction e,perience a change in energy level
emitting radiant energy when doing so. "onstructing diodes containing elements gallium, /rsenic and
phosphorus creates radiant energy at visible wavelengths. / 8imited number of "olors can be created by
changing the chemical constituency, more colors can be created by adding more than on 87) using the
same 8ens.
'onstant 'urrent Diode- These limit the current flowing a circuit. These are seen in 87) circuits and
charging devices for %econdary !atteries