Student’s Name: Group:

Instructor’s Name: Date:

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
TESTING SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES & DIODE CHARACTERISTICS
Introduction:
Diode is the simplest of all electronic devices but it has limitless applications. A diode permits
current flow when the voltage on the anode is positive with respect to the voltage on the
cathode, and it inhibits current flow when the voltage on the anode is negative with respect
to the voltage on the cathode.
The characteristics of an ideal diode are those of a switch that can conduct current in only
one direction. A semiconductor diode conducts if it is in forward bias; that is the applied
voltage must be greater than zero.
Objectives:
1. To become familiar with multimeter, breadboard, oscilloscope, and writing circuit;
2. To test diodes using ohmmeter.
3. To display the diode characteristics using oscilloscope.
Materials needed:

 Standard or Digital Multimeter

 Different types of diode
TESTING SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
An ohmmeter has a low-voltage potential place at its leads when measuring resistance. One
lead is positive (usually red in color) and the other lead is negative (usually black in color).
When positive lead is placed on the anode of a diode and the negative lead on the cathode,
this forward resistance (Rf) should be low, since the diode is forward biased. When the leads
are reversed resistance (Rr) should be high, since the diode is reverse biased.
Procedure:
1. Refer to Figure 1-1.a and place the ohmmeter leads accordingly on the diode leads.
 Figure 1-1.a Figure 1-1.b

2. Set the ohmmeter to the lowest scale and record the Rf reading.
3. Refer to Figure1-1.b and place the ohmmeter leads accordingly on the diodes leads.
4. Set the ohmmeter to the highest scale and record the Rr reading.
5. Calculate the ratio of reverse to forward resistance from the formula.
Observation:

Result and Computations:

Fill-In Questions:
1. A forward-biased diode has resistance.
2. A reversed-biased diode has resistance.
Student’s Name: Group:
Instructor’s Name: Date:

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
THE DIODE AS A SWITCH
Introduction:
Referring to Figure 1-2.a note that the forward-biased silicon diode has a voltage drop of 0.7V
across it with the remaining power supply voltage dropped across the load resistance (R L).
The voltage drop of RL can be found by the formula VL = Vdd - Vf . The forward current (IF)
through the circuit can be found by the formula ID = VL/RL. Referring to Figure 1-2b, note that
a reverse-biased silicon diode has the total power supply voltage dropped across it, while the
voltage drop across the load resistor is zero, since no current is flowing in the circuit.

Figure 1-2.a Figure 1-2.b

Objective:
1. To recognize a conducting and non conducting diode by its circuit voltage drops;
2. To determine the forward current.
Apparatus/Materials:

 1 Variable Low-Voltage power supply

 1 Standard or Digital Voltmeter
 1 1KΩ Resistor at 0.5W
 1 n4001 Silicon Diode or Similar Type
 1 Breadboard for constructing circuit
Procedure:
1. Construct the circuit shown in figure 1-2a.
2. Set the power supply voltage at +6V.
3. Measure and record VF across the diode.
4. Measure and record VL across RL.
5. Calculate ID and record.
6. Turn the diode around as shown in figure 1-2b.
7. Measure and record VF across the diode.
8. Measure and record VL across the RL.
9. Calculate ID and record.
Observations:

Results and Computations:

Fill-in Questions:
1. The forward voltage across a silicon diode in a normally working circuit
is V.
2. A resistor in series with the diode of question 1 would have voltage drop equal to the
minus the voltage drop of the .
3. If the diode in question 1 were to open, the voltage drop across it would be
V. (Hint: refer to figure 1-2b)
Student’s Name: Group:
Instructor’s Name: Date:

EXPERIMENT NO. 3
CURRENT – VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DIODE
Introduction:
As the forward voltage across a diode increase, so does the forward current. Unlike a
fixed resistor, a semi conductor junction’s resistance decreases with an increase in current
flow because of the increase in electron-hole combinations. The forward resistance of a
conducting diode can be found by the Ohm’s Law Calculation Rf = Vf / If. The voltage across
the entire circuit can increase to several volts, while the external load resistor (R1) mainly
determines the current flowing in the circuit. In the reverse-biased condition, there is very
little current (µA) flow, and hence the reverse resistance is high. The reverse resistance of a
diode can be found by Ohm’s Law Calculation RR = VR / IR.
Objective:
1. To demonstrate the relationships of forward voltage, current and resistance of a diode,
and the reverse voltage, current and resistance.
Apparatus/Materials:

 1 Variable Low-Voltage power supply (VP to 20V)

 1 Standard or Digital Voltmeter
 1 standard or Digital DC Current Meter
 1 1N4001 silicon diode or similar type
 1 1-KΩ Resistor at 0.5W
 1 Breadboard for constructing circuit
Procedure:
1. Construct the circuit shown in figure 1-3a.
2. Adjust the variable power supply for a Vf reading of 0.1V.
3. Record If in the second column of data table 1.
4. Calculate Rf from the two values given and record in the third column of data table 1.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 for the Vf values given in data table 1 up to 0.8 B.
6. Set the variable power supply to zero and reverse its leads as shown in figure 1-3b.
7. Reverse the leads of the meters.
8. Adjust the variable power supply for a VR reading of -2V.
9. Record IR in the second column of data table 2.
10. Calculate RR from the two values given and record in third column of data table 2.
11. Repeat steps 8, 9 and 10 for the VR values given in data table 2 up to -20V.
12. From the values of VF and IF in data table 1 and the values of VR and IR in data table 2, plot
a graph in figure 1.3c.

Fig. 1.3a Fig. 1.3b

Data Table Data Table

1 2

VF IF (mA) RF = VF/IF VR IR (mA) RR = VR/IR

0 0 ∞ 0 0 ∞

0.1 -2

0.2 -5

0.3 -7
 Fig. 1.3c

Observations:

Results and Computations:

Fill-in Questions:
1. When the forward current of a diode increases, its forward resistance .
2. The current flowing in a diode circuit is determined primarily by the .
3. The in a reverse-biased diode circuit is extremely , while the
resistance of the diode is extremely .
Student’s Name: Group:
Instructor’s Name: Date:

EXPERIMENT NO. 4
DIODE VOLTAGE DROPS
Introduction:
The voltage drop across a forward-biased is about 0.7V. this voltage drop is somewhat
stable, and in some instances diodes are placed in series to develop a reference voltage. In
this experiment, you will measure the voltage drops across diodes in series.
Objective:
1. To demonstrate how voltage drops across diodes in series are additive and to show the
shorting effect of a forward-biased diode.
Apparatus/Materials:

 1 Variable Power Supply

 1 Standard or Digital Voltmeter
 1 Dual-Trace Oscilloscope
 1 Sine-wave Generator or Function Generator
 1 100-Ω Resistor at 0.5W
 1 1-KΩ Resistor at 0.5W
 3 1N4001 Silicon Diode or Similar type
 1 Breadboard for constructing circuit
Procedure:
1. Construct the circuit shown in figure1-4a.
2. Apply power to the circuit.
3. With the voltmeter, measure the voltage across each diode and record here.
V1 = , V2 = , V3 = .
4. Place the black lead of the voltmeter on ground.
5. With the red lead, measure the voltage across D1, as shown by M1. Record the value
here: . It should be the same as V1 + V2.
6. Measure the voltage across D1 and D2 in series as shown by M2. Record the value here:
. It should be the same as V1 + V2.
7. Measure the voltage across D1, D2 and D3 series as shown by M3. Record the value here:
. It should be the same as V1 + V2 + V3.
 FIG 1-4a

FIG 1-4b

8. Construct the circuit shown figure 1-4b.

9. Set the Sine-wave Generator for 1 KHZ and amplitude of 2V.
10. Place one channel of the oscilloscope across VIN.
11. Place the other channel of the oscilloscope across the VOUT of the circuit.
If a forward-biased diode is placed in parallel with a resistor of some resistance, nearly not all
of the current will flow through the diode. In other words, in forward-biased condition the
diode “short out” the resistor. If the diode is reversed, the diode has an extremely high
resistance and most of the current will flow through the resistor, developing a voltage drop.
Notice that only the negative alternation is seen at the output of the circuit. When the
positive alternation is present, the diode conducts and only a 0.7V line appears across on the
face of the CRT. When the negative alternation is present, the diode does not conduct and
the current flows through the resistor, developing the negative-going voltage.

Results and Computations:

Fill-in Questions:
1. The voltage drop of forward-biased diodes in series is .
2. In four silicon diodes are forward-biased and connected in series, the total voltage drop
across them will be volts.
3. A forward-biased diode has resistance and will allow a
current to flow through it.
4. A reverse-biased has or infinite resistance and allows little or
current to flow through it.
Student’s Name: Group:
Instructor’s Name: Date:

EXPERIMENT NO. 5
HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION
Introduction:
Refer to figure 1-5 and note that when point A of T1 is positive point B will be negative.
The diode will be forward biased, and the current flow from point B up through RL, through
D1 to point A and the transformer, developing a positive going output voltage waveform
across RL. When point A is negative, point B will be positive, the diode is reversed-biased, no
current flows, and there is no voltage output across RL. Therefore, the output voltage is
positive pulsating do, which can be filtered with capacitors in an attempt to produce pure DC.
Objective:
1. To demonstrate how a diode will rectify (or pass) only one alternation of a sine wave
Apparatus/Materials:

 1 Oscilloscope
 1 12- or 24- V Center-tapped transformer (T1)
 1 1N4001 Diode (D1) or similar type
 1 10KΩ resistor at 0.5W (RL)
 1 Breadboard
Procedure:
1. Before applying power, construct the circuit shown in figure 1-5.

FIGURE 1-5
2. Apply power to the circuit.
3. Place the oscilloscope across RL, observing polarity.
4. Record the amplitude of the voltage seen on the oscilloscope in the location marked
VOUT = .
5. Remove power from the circuit.
6. Turn the diode around the circuit.
7. Apply power to the circuit.
8. Observe the oscilloscope and draw the output waveform, indicating its amplitude:
VOUT = .
The diode is now passing the negative alternation of the sine wave, and the polarity across
RL has been reversed. The voltage can be used to develop negative DC supply voltage.
Observations:

Results and Computations:

Fill-in Questions:
1. A diode will pass only alternations of a sine wave.
2. A half-wave rectifier can produce positive or negative pulsating DC, depending on the
that the diode is placed in the circuit.
Student’s Name: Group:
Instructor’s Name: Date:

EXPERIMENT NO. 6
FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION
Introduction:
Refer to the figure 1-6, note that when point A of T1 is positive, point B is negative.
Diode D1 is forward biased, and current flows from the center tap of T1, up through RL.
through D1 to point A and the transformer. This develops a positive-going voltage across RL.
Diode D2 is reversed biased and no current flows through it. When point A is negative, pint B
will be positive. Diode D2 is now forward biased and current flows from the center tap, up
through R1 through D2 to point B and the transformer. Since the current is in the same
direction through R1 for this alternation, a positive going voltage is again developed across
RL. Diode D1 is reversed biased and no current flows through it. This voltage output is much
easier to filter with capacitors in an attempt to produce pure DC.
Objective:
1. To show two diodes pass both alternations of sine wave to prove a better pulsation DC
voltage.
Apparatus/Materials:

 1 Oscilloscope
 1 12- or 24- V Center-tapped transformer (T1)
 2 1N4001 Diodes (D1 and D2) or similar type
 1 10KΩ resistor at 0.5W (RL)
 1 Breadboard for constructing circuit
Procedure:
1. Before applying power, construct the circuit shown in figure 1-6.
2. Apply power to the circuit.
3. Place the oscilloscope across RL observing polarity.
4. Record the amplitude of the voltage seen on the oscilloscope in the location marked
VOUT.
5. Remove power from the circuit.
6. Turn both diodes around the circuit.
7. Apply power to the circuit.
8. Observe the oscilloscope and draw the output waveform, indicating its amplitude:
VOUT =
This is similar to the procedure in Experiment No. 5. The current is now reversed in RL and a
negative going pulsating DC voltage is developed.

FIGURE 1-6

Observations:

Results and computations:

Fill-in Questions:
1. A full-wave rectifier passes both of a sine wave.
2. In terms of polarity, the output of a full wave rectifier has both alternations of the sine-
wave input voltage going in the direction.
3. A full-wave rectifier can produce positive or negative DC, depending on the
the diodes are placed in the circuit.
Student’s Name: Group:
Instructor’s Name: Date:

EXPERIMENT NO. 7
BRIDGE (FULL-WAVE) RECTIFICATION
Introduction:
Refer to figure 7a and notice how the diodes are connected and that they all point in
one general direction – to the right. When point A is positive, D2 is forward biased, while point
B is negative and D3 is forward biased. Diodes D1 and D4 are reversed biased at this time.
Current flows from point B through D3 up through RL, through D2 to point A and the
transformer. A positive going voltage waveform is developed across RL. when point A is
negative, point B is positive. Diodes D2 and D3 are now reversed biased, but diodes D1 and D4
are forward biased. Current now flows from point A and D1 up through RL, through D4 to point
B and the transformer. Since the current through RL is in the same direction, another positive
voltage waveform for this alternation of the sine-wave across the transformer. Full-wave
rectification is accomplished with this circuit without the use of the center tap of the
transformer.
Objective:
1. To demonstrate four diodes in a bridge arrangement produce wave rectification without
the use of a center-tapped transformer.
Apparatus/Materials:

 1 Oscilloscope
 1 12- or 24- V Transformer (T1)
 4 1N4001 Diodes (D1 to D4) or similar type
 1 10KΩ resistor at 0.5W (RL)
 1 Breadboard for constructing circuit
Procedure: