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Diodes Are Available in Various Configurations. From Left: Metal Case, Stud Mount, Plastic Case With Band, Plastic Case With Chamfer, Glass Case

A diode is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow easily in one direction but restricts it from flowing in the opposite direction. Diodes have polarity determined by an anode and cathode and only allow current when positive voltage is applied to the anode. Diodes are used as rectifiers to convert alternating current into pulsating direct current and come in various package styles and configurations.

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Ricart Guardino
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72 views3 pages

Diodes Are Available in Various Configurations. From Left: Metal Case, Stud Mount, Plastic Case With Band, Plastic Case With Chamfer, Glass Case

A diode is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow easily in one direction but restricts it from flowing in the opposite direction. Diodes have polarity determined by an anode and cathode and only allow current when positive voltage is applied to the anode. Diodes are used as rectifiers to convert alternating current into pulsating direct current and come in various package styles and configurations.

Uploaded by

Ricart Guardino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 diode is a semiconductor device that essentially acts as a one-way switch for current.

It
allows current to flow easily in one direction, but severely restricts current from flowing
in the opposite direction.
Diodes are also known as rectifiers because they change alternating current (ac) into
pulsating direct current (dc). Diodes are rated according to their type, voltage, and
current capacity.
Diodes have polarity, determined by an anode (positive lead) and cathode (negative
lead). Most diodes allow current to flow only when positive voltage is applied to the
anode. A variety of diode configurations are displayed in this graphic:

Diodes are available in various configurations. From left: metal case, stud mount, plastic case
with band, plastic case with chamfer, glass case.
When a diode allows current flow, it is forward-biased. When a diode is reverse-
biased, it acts as an insulator and does not permit current to flow.
Strange but true: The diode symbol's arrow points against the direction of electron flow.
Reason: Engineers conceived the symbol, and their schematics show current flowing
from the positive (+) side of the voltage source to the negative (-). It's the same
convention used for semiconductor symbols that include arrows—the arrow points in the
permitted direction of "conventional" flow, and against the permitted direction of electron
flow.
A digital multimeter's diode test diode produces a small voltage between the test leads
enough to forward-bias a diode junction. Normal voltage drop is 0.5 V to 0.8 V. The
forward-biased resistance of a good diode should range from 1000 ohms to 10 ohms.
When reverse-biased, a digital multimeter's display will read OL (which indicates very
high resistance).
Diodes are assigned current ratings. If the rating is exceeded and the diode fails, it may
short and either a) allow current to flow in both directions or b) halt current from flowing
in either direction.

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