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 Forward Biased which remains
virtually constant independent of Current flow. This is about 0.7v for Silicon and 0.3v for
Germanium.

In Reverse bias electron flow other than a small Leakage current is blocked
up until the Diode breaksdown. The voltage this breakdown occurs is called the Peak
Inverse Voltage (PIV), when the PIV is exceeded 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 Reverse Bias.
Working Principal

A diode consists of P-type (material with slight electron deficit sometimes imagined as
having positive holes) and N-type (material with slight electron excess). This may be
manufactured by the use of doping agents in semiconductor material such as
Germanium or Silicon. The juncture of the two materials is called the depletion zone as
it contains niether excess 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 expanding it and preventing current flow
 Although for most circumstances the voltage drop may be considered fixed
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 Equation and contains variables such as
Saturation current, applied voltage and diode temperature.

Testing

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

Most modern meters are able to forward bias a diode when set to measure
resistance. No meaningful information can be read off the meter however as it is an
ohmic value dependent on variables of the meter itself.
 Some meters have a Diode Check facility. Use of this will in Forward bias
will give a Voltage value equivalent to the nominal forward bias voltage.
 It is unlikely that the meter will be able to generate the 50v required to
exceed the Peak Inverse Voltage to cause the diode to breakdown. As for most Diodes
this would caue there destruction this becomes unecessary. However, devices such as an
Insulation Tester ( Megger) can easily exceed this and for this reason all diodes should
be disconnected from a device before they are used.

Specialist Types

Zener Diode- these are diodes which may be used in the Reverse 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

Zener diode and a Dropper Resistor across which takes the excess voltage.

Free Wheeling Diodes - sometimes referred to as Inductor Commuting 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)

Light Emitting Diode- Electrons flowing through a PN junction experience a change in

energy level emitting radiant energy when doing so. Constructing diodes containing
elements gallium, Arsenic and phosphorus creates radiant energy at visible wavelengths.
A Limited number of Colors can be created by changing the chemical constituency, more
colors can be created by adding more than on LED using the same Lens.
Constant Current Diode- These limit the current flowing a circuit. These are seen in
LED circuits and charging devices for Secondary Batteries