Introduction to Diodes and Rectifiers
A diode is an electrical device allowing current to move through it in one direction with far greater ease than in the other. The most common kind of diode in modern circuit design is the semiconductor...
View ArticleMeter Check of a Diode
Being able to determine the polarity (cathode versus anode) and basic functionality of a diode is a very important skill for the electronics hobbyist or technician to have. Since we know that a diode...
View ArticleDiode Ratings
In addition to forward voltage drop (Vf) and peak inverse voltage (PIV), there are many other ratings of diodes important to circuit design and component selection. Semiconductor manufacturers provide...
View ArticleRectifier Circuits
Now we come to the most popular application of the diode: rectification. Simply defined, rectification is the conversion of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). This involves a device that...
View ArticlePeak Detector
A peak detector is a series connection of a diode and a capacitor outputting a DC voltage equal to the peak value of the applied AC signal. The circuit is shown in Figure below with the corresponding...
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Clipper Circuits
A circuit which removes the peak of a waveform is known as a clipper. A negative clipper is shown in Figure below. This schematic diagram was produced with Xcircuit schematic capture program. Xcircuit...
View ArticleClamper Circuits
The circuits in Figure below are known as clampers or DC restorers. The corresponding netlist is in Figure below. These circuits clamp a peak of a waveform to a specific DC level compared with a...
View ArticleVoltage Multipliers
A voltage multiplier is a specialized rectifier circuit producing an output which is theoretically an integer times the AC peak input, for example, 2, 3, or 4 times the AC peak input. Thus, it is...
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Inductor Commutating Circuits
A popular use of diodes is for the mitigation of inductive "kickback:" the pulses of high voltage produced when direct current through an inductor is interrupted. Take, for example, this simple circuit...
View ArticleDiode Switching Circuits
Diodes can perform switching and digital logic operations. Forward and reverse bias switch a diode between the low and high impedance states, respectively. Thus, it serves as a switch. Logic Diodes can...
View ArticleZener Diodes
If we connect a diode and resistor in series with a DC voltage source so that the diode is forward-biased, the voltage drop across the diode will remain fairly constant over a wide range of power...
View ArticleSpecial-Purpose Diodes
Schottky diodes Schottky diodes are constructed of a metal-to-N junction rather than a P-N semiconductor junction. Also known as hot-carrier diodes, Schottky diodes are characterized by fast switching...
View ArticleSolar Cell Properties
Solar cell typeMaximum efficiencyPractical efficiencyNotesSelenium, polycrystalline0.7%-1883, Charles FrittsSilicon, single crystal-4%1950's, first silicon solar cellSilicon, single crystal PERL,...
View ArticleOther Diode Technologies
SiC diodes Diodes manufactured from silicon carbide are capable of high temperature operation to 400oC. This could be in a high temperature environment: down hole oil well logging, gas turbine engines,...
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SPICE Models
The SPICE circuit simulation program provides for modeling diodes in circuit simulations. The diode model is based on characterization of individual devices as described in a product data sheet and...
View ArticleIntroduction to Diodes and Rectifiers
A diode is an electrical device allowing current to move through it in one direction with far greater ease than in the other. The most common kind of diode in modern circuit design is the semiconductor...
View ArticleMeter Check of a Diode
Being able to determine the polarity (cathode versus anode) and basic functionality of a diode is a very important skill for the electronics hobbyist or technician to have. Since we know that a diode...
View ArticleDiode Ratings
In addition to forward voltage drop (Vf) and peak inverse voltage (PIV), there are many other ratings of diodes important to circuit design and component selection. Semiconductor manufacturers provide...
View ArticleRectifier Circuits
Now we come to the most popular application of the diode: rectification. Simply defined, rectification is the conversion of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). This involves a device that...
View ArticlePeak Detector
A peak detector is a series connection of a diode and a capacitor outputting a DC voltage equal to the peak value of the applied AC signal. The circuit is shown in Figure below with the corresponding...
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