 Objective

The objectives of this lab reports are:

 Define Diode & its application.
 Observes the wave form of input/output signal by using oscilloscope in each circuit
containing diode. Also find its measurement’s that shows on oscilloscope screen.
 Find voltage & current across diode in respected circuit. Draw the graph b/w current
& voltage.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................................2

2. Apparatus.............................................................................................................................................2

3. Procedure.............................................................................................................................................2

4. Theory.................................................................................................................................................3

4.1. Diode...........................................................................................................................................3

A semiconducting device with two terminals allowing current to flow only in one direction is known as
diode. Usually the terminals are cathode (-ve) and anode (+ve)..............................................................3

4.2. Forward bias................................................................................................................................3

4.3. Reverse biased.............................................................................................................................4

4.4. Forward and reverse biased.........................................................................................................4

4.5. Rectifier.......................................................................................................................................5

4.6. Half Wave and Full Wave Rectifier.............................................................................................5

4.6.1. Circuit Diagram of Half Wave Rectifier..............................................................................5

4.6.2. Operation of Half Wave Rectifier........................................................................................6

4.7. Full Wave Rectifier......................................................................................................................7

4.7.1. Full Wave Rectifier Circuit with Working...........................................................................8

 1. Introduction

The diode is the most fundamental circuit element with non-linear characteristics. The very fact
that it is non-linear makes it a useful tool in many applications, such as AC to DC conversions
and logic implementation. To use diodes it is necessary to know about its circuits in different
conditions.

2. Apparatus

 In this experiment, we use the following instruments;

 Digital multimeter (DMM)
 DC power supply Bread board
 Silicon diode
 Wire
 Resistor

3. Procedure

Following experimental procedure was used to perform the experiment:

1) First of all a simple circuit was used to know voltages and current. For this, ohmmeter
was used to know about cathode and anode of diode.
2) A table was drawn on this basis of voltage and current.
3) A graph was also plotted on this basis.
4) Then diode was used as half wave rectifier (positive) and its waveform was observed
through oscilloscope and function generator.
5) Then diode was used as half wave rectifier (negative) and its waveform was observed
through oscilloscope and function generator.
6) Then diode was used as Full wave rectifier and its waveform was observed through
oscilloscope and function generator.
 4. Theory

In this lab report I learned about diodes, forward biasing, reverse biasing, rectifiers and its types. These
are explained as follows:

4.1. Diode

A semiconducting device with two terminals allowing current to flow only in one direction is
known as diode. Usually the terminals are cathode (-ve) and anode (+ve).

It is shown as follows:

4.2. Forward bias

The process by which, a p-n junction diode allows the electric current in the presence of applied
voltage is called forward biased p-n junction diode.

In forward biased p-n junction diode, the positive terminal of the battery is connected to the p-
type semiconductor material and the negative terminal of the battery is connected to the n-type
semiconductor material.
 4.3. Reverse biased

The process by which, a p-n junction diode blocks the electric current in the presence of applied
voltage is called reverse biased p-n junction diode. In reverse biased p-n junction diode, the
positive terminal of the battery is connected to the n-type semiconductor material and the
negative terminal of the battery is connected to the p-type semiconductor material. When the
external voltage is applied to the p-n junction diode in such a way that, negative terminal is
connected to the p-type semiconductor and positive terminal is connected to the n-type
semiconductor, holes from the p-side are attracted towards the negative terminal whereas free
electrons from the n-side are attracted towards the positive terminal. 

4.4. Forward and reverse biased

 4.5. Rectifier

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current, which periodically reverses
direction, to direct current, which flows in only one direction. The process is known as
rectification, since it "straightens" the direction of current.

4.6. Half Wave and Full Wave Rectifier

In Half Wave Rectifier, when AC supply is applied at the input, positive half cycle appears
across the load, whereas the negative half cycle is suppressed. This can be done by using the
semiconductor PN – junction diode. The diode allows the current to flow only in one direction.
Thus, convert the AC voltage into DC voltage.

4.6.1. Circuit Diagram of Half Wave Rectifier

In half wave rectification, only one crystal diode is used. It is connected in the circuit as shown
below.
The AC supply to be rectified is generally given through a transformer. The transformer is used
to step down or step up the main supply voltage as per the requirement. It also isolates the
rectifier from power lines and thus reduces the risk of electric shock.

4.6.2. Operation of Half Wave Rectifier

When AC supply is switched ON the alternating voltage (Vin) shown in the figure below appears
across the terminal AB at the secondary winding.
During the positive half cycle, the terminal A is positive with respect to B and the crystal diode
is forward biased. Therefore, it conducts and current flows through the load resistor RL. This
current varies in magnitude as shown in the wave diagram shown below.

Thus, a positive half cycle of the output voltage (Vout = iRL) appears across the load resistor
RL shown in the figure below.

4.7. Full Wave Rectifier

A full wave rectifier is a type of rectifier which converts both half cycles of the AC signal into
pulsating DC signal.
 Full wave rectifier

4.7.1. Full Wave Rectifier Circuit with Working

Full wave rectifiers have some fundamental advantages over their half wave
rectifier counterparts. The average (DC) output voltage is higher than for half wave rectifier, the
output of the full wave rectifier has much less ripple than that of the half wave rectifier
producing a smoother output waveform.