POLYTECHNICS DEE20023 – SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

PRACTICAL : 1

TITLE : DIODE

LEARNING OUTCOME :

i. Apply the theoretical characteristics and electrical properties of semiconductor by

using appropriate measuring operations and theorem (CLO 1, C3)
ii. Construct the various applications of semiconductor devices circuit by using
schematic diagram (CLO2, P4)

OBJECTIVES :

At the end of this practical session, students should be able to:

i. Identify the physical shape of diode and its condition.

ii. Identify the anode and the cathode of the diode.
iii. Connect a simple electronic circuit using LED.

PART A : KNOW AND TESTING THE DIODE.

EQUIPMENT :

i. Diodes of variety types. (1N4001, 1N5406, BZX85C6V8, LED)

ii. Multimeter

THEORY :

A diode is a specialized electronic component with two leads called the anode and the
cathode. It is an electronic component which allow current to flow through it easily in one
direction but opposes the current flow in the opposite direction. The electronic symbol and
physical appearance of diode is shown below:

Figure 1.1: Diode symbol (above) and diode physical appearance (below)

Conventional current flows in the direction of the arrow as the anode and cathode. The
cathode lead is usually marked with a black, white or red band. The cathode is the terminal
from which conventional current flows when the diode is carrying current in the easy
direction. Germanium (Ge) and silicon (Si) are two very important semiconducting materials
used to manufacture diode, transistors and other solid-state devices, having 0.3V (Ge) and
0.7V (Si) for respectively forward bias voltage.

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POLYTECHNICS DEE20023 – SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

PROCEDURES :

1. State the identification number and draw the physical shape of the diode in Table 1.1.
2. Use analogue/digital multimeter and set to ohms range (adjust at RX10 or lower).
3. Measure each diode according to Figure 1.2 and record the resistance value in Table
1.1.

BLACK RED BLACK RED RED

cathode RED Anode Anode cathode

Anode

Figure 1.2

RESULTS :

Table 1.1

Diode Physical Shape Probe Resistace Value

No.
Number RED BLACK (Ω)

Anode Cathode
1.
Cathode Anode

Anode Cathode
2.
Cathode Anode

Anode Cathode
3.
Cathode Anode

Anode Cathode
4.
Cathode Anode

PART B : BIASING THE DIODE.

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DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

EQUIPMENT :
i. 1 LED.
ii. 9V Battery & holder
iii. Resistor (330Ω)
iv. 1 switch (SPST)
v. Breadboard
vi. Crocodile clips

THEORY :

The most common function of a diode is to allow an electric current to pass in one direction
(called the diode's forward direction), while blocking it in the opposite direction (the reverse
direction). When diode is forward biased, it acts as a closed switch and current can flow
through it. When diode is reverse biased, it acts as an open switch and current cannot flow
through it. The operation of a diode is shown in Figure 1.3.

Figure 1.3

PROCEDURES :

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 1.4.

S1 LED
+
9V R1 330Ω
-

Figure 1.4

2. Switch ON S1. Record your observation in Table 1.2.

3. Change the polarity of LED as shown in Figure 1.5.

S1 LED
+
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POLYTECHNICS DEE20023 – SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Figure 1.5

4. Switch ON S1. Record your observation in Table 1.2.

RESULTS :

Table 1.2

CIRCUIT SWITCH LED

(Lights up / Lights off)

Figure 1.4 ON

Figure 1.5 ON

DISCUSSION/QUESTION:

1. Explain how to determine the condition (good or bad) of a diode using multimeter.
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2. Explain your observation in Table 1.2

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(3 Marks)

3. CONCLUSION (4 Marks)

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POLYTECHNICS DEE20023 – SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Write TWO (2) conclusions of this practical work.

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TOTAL MARKS
(DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION)
/10
PERCENTAGE DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION
TOTAL MARKS /10*20 (20%)
%

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