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