EXPERIMENT 5

APPLICATIONS OF
DIODE

BY
GOPIKA ARORA
(2019BB10022)
MANISHA CHAUDHARY
(2019EE10425)
 AIM-

 To investigate the characteristics of diode half wave rectifier

 To investigate characteristics of diode clipping
 To investigate characteristics of diode clamping circuits

Apparatus Required

 Function generator
 DSO
 Silicon diode=0.591V
 A large electrolytic capacitor=222nF
 Non-electrolytic capacitor (0.01-0.1µF) =11nF
 Breadboard
 Connecting wires
 9.98kΩ resistance
Part I
DIODE HALF WAVE RECTIFIER
Procedure
a) Connect the series circuit comprising of function generator, diode and resistor(10kΩ) as
shown.

Set the oscillator frequency to about 500Hz and a convenient amplitude (about 5V).
b) Observe the oscillator waveform across the resistor on the DSO (record the
waveforms)
c) Measure the peak and dc value of both input as well as output waveforms
d) Repeat the observations for an input voltage of one-tenth of the previous case.
e) Connect a large electrolytic capacitor across the resistor. Repeat your observations.
f) Comment on the results in your report.
OBSERVATIONS
c)

Function generator- 10Vpp; 500Hz

 input output
Vpp 10V 4.40V
Vavg 42V 1.25V
Vrms 3.51V 2.08V

function generator Vpp=1V; 500Hz

d)
 Input Output

Vpp 928mV 76mV

Vrms 326mV 22.2mV

Vavg 3.29mV 8.61mV

e) On connecting a large electrostatic capacitor across the resistor

Input as above

1Vpp

output

Vpp 32.omV

Vrms 28.5mV
 Vavg 21.8mV

For 10Vpp

output
Vpp 2.32V
Vavg 3.16V
Vrms 3.23V
 Part II

Diode clipping circuit

Procedure

a. Connect the series circuit of the function generator, diode, dc source set to 2V and
resistor 10kΩ as in the figure.

Set the oscillator frequency to about 500Hz and a convenient amplitude(5V)

b. Observe the oscillator waveform and the waveform across the diode & dc source on
the DSO
c. Measure the peak and dc value of both waveforms
d. Reverse the diode polarity and repeat the observations.
e. Reverse the source polarity and repeat the observations.
f. Comment on the results in your report.

OBSERVATIONS
c)

Vpp 48mV
 Vrms 157mV

Vavg 15mV

d)

Vavg 1.75V

Vpp 1.16V

Vrms 1.79 V
e)

Vrms 2.69V

Vpp 3.00V

Vavg 2.39V

Part III
Diode Clamping Circuit
PROCEDURE
a) Connect the series circuit comprising of the function generator, diode, dc source
set to about 2V and capacitor(0.01µF) as in figure.

Set the oscillator frequency to about 500Hz and a convenient amplitude(5V).

b) Observe the oscillator waveform and the waveform across the diode-dc source
bench on the DSO (record the waveforms).
c) Measure the peak and dc value of both waveforms.
d) Reverse the diode polarity and repeat the observations.
e) Reverse the source polarity and repeat the observations.
f) Comment on the results in your report.

OBSERVATIONS
c)

Vrms 4.26V

Vpp 10.4V

Vavg 2.45V

d)
Vrms 7.34V

Vpp 10.2V

Vavg 6.49V
e)1

Vrms 1.77mV

Vpp 5.20mV

Vavg 54.9mV
e)2

Vrms 5.44V

Vpp 7.00V

Vavg 4.94V
CONCLUSION
We studied the applications of Diode as a rectifier, in a clipping circuit and in clamping circuit in this
experiment.

We noticed that as a rectifier, when only one diode is used in a circuit, it can be used as a half wave
rectifier, which allows only one part of current cycle (positive or negative). The Diode does not allow
the other half of the input wave and hence, gives us rectified voltage.

In clipping circuit, aa diode with a DC Source can be used to clip a part of the input signal. The
polarity of diode determines which half would be clipped and the voltage of the DC Source
determines the threshold voltage above (/below) which the wave signal is clipped.

In clamping circuit, the voltage is shifted above or below its original mean position, by half the peak-
to-peak value. We observe this change in the DSO.

Thus, we see that diodes can be efficiently used to rectify, clip or clamp AC Signals.

Sources of error
 Loose connections
 Scale of multimeter not appropriate for measurement
 Change in resistance due to heating effects is not accounted for

Precautions

1. Make the connections neat and tight

2. Don’t leave the switch on for long continuous periods of time.

3. Wear proper shoes and use insulated tools