Basics of Electronics Engineering

TUTORIAL SHEET 1
Topic: Semiconductor Diodes and Applications

Course Code: EC101 Semester: I

Course Title: Basics of Electronics Engineering AY: 2019-2020

Unit-1: Semiconductor Diodes and Applications:

Introduction to Electronics, Semiconductor Theory, Review of PN junction operation, V-I

Characteristics of PN-Junction Diode, Varactor diode, Photodiode, Light Emitting Diode
(LED), Zener diode as Voltage Regulator, Use of Diodes in Rectifiers, Half Wave, Full
Wave Centre-tap and Bridge Rectifier (Circuit diagram, Waveforms, PIV, Ripple Factor,
Efficiency), Diode Clippers: Positive and Negative clippers

1. How does a PN-junction semiconductor diode respond when it is connected to an electric

circuit? Give your answer with the help of practical circuit diagrams and V-I
characteristics of a PN junction diode under forward and reverse bias conditions. Also
mark the cut-in voltage and breakdown voltage on the characteristics curve.
2. The silicon diode D1, shown in Fig. 1 is rated for a maximum current of 100 mA.
Calculate the minimum value of resistor R​L​. Assume the forward voltage drop across the
diode to be 0.7 V. ​(Ans: 93 Ω)

Fig.1
3. Find the current through the circuit (Fig. 2) for which the VI characteristics of the diode
are given below: ​(Ans: 6.2mA)

Fig. 2

4. A varactor diode having a property of variable capacitance can be used in FM radio and
TV receivers. We know that the capacitance of a varactor diode varies inversely as the
 Basics of Electronics Engineering

square root of the bias voltage. If this diode exhibits a capacitance of 18 pF when the
reverse bias voltage across it is 4 V, then determine its capacitance when the bias voltage
is doubled. ​(Ans: 12.728pF)
5. Which device is used to convert light energy in to electrical energy when connected in
reverse bias? Discuss the mechanism involved. What is Dark current?
6. Different LED’s emits different colors of light. What makes this type of variation in
LED’s?
7. Which device is used to stabilize the output voltage in the circuit when either the input
supply is variable or the load is variable? Discuss both the cases with suitable diagrams.
8. Find the current through the Series Resistance, Zener Diode and Load Resistance in the
circuit given as Fig. 3. ​(Ans: 14mA, 9mA, 5mA)

Fig. 3

9. Explain the rectification process performed by a bridge rectifier. Also state the advantages
of bridge rectifier over centre-tap rectifier. Is there any application where centre-tap
rectifier is used?
10. The turns ratio of a transformer used in a half wave rectifier is n1: n2 = 12: 1. The
primary is connected to power mains: 220 V, 50 Hz. Assuming the diode resistance in
forward bias is zero, calculate the PIV of the diode. ​(Ans: 25.9V)
11. In a center tapped full wave rectifier, the load resistance R​L = 1 KΩ. Each diode has a
forward bias dynamic resistance rd of 10Ω. The voltage across half the secondary winding
is 220 sin 314t volts. Find the Ripple factor. ​(Ans: 0.48)
12. It is desired to obtain a maximum of 15V (dc) from a bridge rectifier circuit. It uses
silicon diodes (where voltage drop across each diode is 0.7V). It is energized from ac
mains supply (220V, 50 hz) through a step-down transformer. Find the turn’s ratio of this
transformer. (Ans. 12:1)
13. A half wave rectifier has a load of 3.5 kΩ. If the diode resistance and the secondary coil
resistance together have a value of 800Ω, and input signal is a voltage of peak value
240V, calculate the rectifier efficiency. ​(Ans: 32.9%)
14. Explain the working of series positive and negative clipper circuits. Also draw waveforms
for input and output voltages.