Understanding Rectifier Diodes

A diode rectifier is a semiconductor device and comes under 'active' electronic components. Its basic function is to allow the passage of electric current only in one direction and block from the other. This property also results in rectification of electric current when an AC source is used. A rectifier diode is generally recognized by its black color and a white ring at one of its ends, something comparable to the resistor colour coding we studied in a previous article. Its size may differ with its power handling capacity. Its two ends are with two leads or terminals and hence the name diode (meaning two-legged in greek).

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In a diode the p-type and n-type silicon are fused together to form a junction called pn junction. When connected to a voltage source, this junction will restrict the flow of current from n-type to p-type and will allow the flow of current from p-type to n-type silicon, only if the voltage is more than 0.6 volts. This minimum voltage is required in any silicon semiconductor to initiate the conduction of electrons and is known as the forward-voltage. The p-type terminal of a diode is called the anode and the n-type terminal is called the cathode and is indicated by a ring or band on its body.

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Another important function of a rectifier diode is rectification, i.e. converting an alternating current(AC) to direct current. The voltage in an AC changes from positive to negative and vice versa number of times per second. Depending upon the connection, a rectifier diode will allow only a positive or a negative cycle to pass and block the other. Thus the output will be either purely positive or negative. This is known as rectification. This property is well exploited and used in power supplies, AC/DC adapters, battery chargers etc. But it is important to know that a diode will need a minimum input voltage of at least 0.7 volts across it to successfully carry on the above procedure of rectification or in smple words, a diode needs at least 0.7 volts to satisfactorily initiate the conduction of electricity. Its called the low forward voltage drop of a rectifier diode.

The steps required for testing of a diode rectifier are as follows.

• Take a good quality digital multimeter
• Set the range in the diode position
• On the display you should get a 3 or an infinite voltage reading depending upon the multimeter used
• Connect the red probe to the cathode and the black probe to the anode of the diode
• The display will immediately show the low forward voltage drop (rectifier diode) of around 0.6 volts
• Now reverse the connections, the display will return to its original reading indicating that the diode is a good one
• If the meter displays any other reading, the diode may be leaky or faulty while a 0000 reading means a short

References

Silicon Zener Diode and Rectifier Handbook : Theory, Design, Characteristics, and Applications by Motorola Applications Engineering Department. (ASIN: B000ND8BXC)

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_{Half Wave Rectifier Diagram: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Half-wave_rectifier.png}

_{Rectifier Diode Symbol: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diode_3D_and_ckt.png}