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How to Test a Diode in Circuit with a Multimeter?

Author: Apogeeweb Date: 30 Oct 2020 1252

Introduction
Semiconductor diode, also known as crystal diode, has obvious unidirectional conductivity. It is a kind of
electronic components widely used in electrical equipment for protection, rectification, switching, and many
other applications. So it is pretty common to see diodes in daily electronic circuits, such as Zener diodes, light-
emitting diodes, photodiodes, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to test whether a diode is properly
working or not.

How to Test a Diode Using a Multimeter

Catalog
Introduction

Ⅰ Diode Basics
1.1 To Figure Out Diode Anode and Cathode
 1.2 What Would Cause a Diode to Fail?
1.3 Common Diode Failures Analysis

Ⅱ How to Test Diode with a Multimeter?

2.1 Digital Multimeter and Analog Multimeter
2.2 Common Diodes Testing Rules
2.3 Testing Methods of Types of Diodes

Ⅲ Example Analysis
3.1 Test a Diode in Circuit
3.2 Power-off and Power-on Testing Methods
3.3 Conclusion

Ⅰ Diode Basics

1.1 To Figure Out Diode Anode and Cathode

The anode and cathode of diode can be distinguished by screen printing on PCB board, which are as shown in
the following:
1) The notched end is the cathode of diode.
2) The end with a horizontal bar is the cathode.
3) The end with white parallel bars is the cathode.
4) One end of the triangle arrow is the cathode.
5) The small end of the plug-in diode is the cathode, and another big end is the anode.

1.2 What Would Cause a Diode to Fail?

The common reasons for a diode failure are open circuit, short circuit and unstable voltage regulation. Among
these three types of failures, there may be signs. For example, the power supply voltage rises, the supply
voltage drops to zero or the output is unstable. Therefore, specific problems must be analyzed in detail for the
diode test.
The common measurement tool for diode is a multimeter, including on-circuit measurement (the diode is on
the circuit board) and off-circuit measurement (the diode is not on the circuit board). As for the basic principle
of diode measurement, the forward resistance and the reverse resistance of the PN junction are measured, and
the basic judgment is based on the values of them. Therefore, to do a good job in diode test, it is necessary
to understand the basic structure and working principle of diodes, and then to understand the main fault
characteristics of the diode.
1.3 Common Diode Failures Analysis

1) open circuit
This means that the positive and negative electrodes of the diode have been disconnected, and the forward and
reverse resistance of the diode have become infinite. After the diode is open, the circuit is in an open state.
2) voltage breakdown
This means that there is a path between the positive and negative electrodes of the diode, and the forward and
reverse resistance are as large as or close to each other(but not infinite). After a diode breaks down, the action
between the positive and negative electrodes may always exit, because there are different manifestations in
different circuits.
3) forward voltage
If the forward resistance of the diode is too large, the voltage drop of the signal on the diode will increase,
which will cause the output signal to decrease, and the diode will be damaged due to the heat. After the
forward resistance becomes larger, the unidirectional conductivity of the diode will become poor.
4) reverse voltage
The reverse resistance of the diode becomes smaller, which means the unidirectional conductivity of the
diode be effected.
5) performance degradation
Under this circumstance, the diode does not have obvious failures such as open circuit or
breakdown. However, when the situation is getting worse, the stability of the circuit will deteriorate or the
output signal voltage of the circuit will drop.

Ⅱ How to Test Diode with a Multimeter?

2.1 Digital Multimeter and Analog Multimeter

When using a digital multimeter to test a diode, the red probe connects with the anode and the black
probe connects with the cathode. At this time, the measured resistance is the forward conduction resistance of
the diode, which is just the opposite of the test result of an analog multimeter.

2.2 Common Diodes Testing Rules

(1) The forward resistance of the low-power germanium diode is 300Ω～500Ω, and the silicon diode is lkΩ or
more. The former reverse resistance is tens of thousand ohms, and the latter is above 500kΩ (the value of
high-power diode is smaller).
(2) The polarity of the diode can be judged according to the resistance values (small forward resistance and
large reverse resistance). Set the multimeter to the ohm block (Usually use R×100 or R×1k block, do not use
R×1 block or R×10k block. The R×1 block is in a large current, it is easy to burn the tube, while using R×10k
block may cause the tube broken down with high voltage). Connect the two polarities of the diode with the
test probes respectively, and measure the two resistance values. When the measured resistance value is
smaller, the end connected to the black lead is the anode. In the same way, when the measured resistance value
is larger, the end connected to the black probe is the cathode. If the measured reverse resistance is small, it
means that the diode is short-circuited, on the contrary, if the forward resistance is large, it means that the tube
is open. In both cases, the diode can’t be work normally.
(3) Silicon diodes generally have a forward voltage drop of 0.6V～0.7V, and the forward voltage drop of a
germanium diode is 0.IV～0.3V. By measuring the forward voltage of the diode, it can be judged that the
tested diode is a silicon tube or a germanium tube. This method is to connect a resistor (lkΩ) behind the power
supply, and then connect with the diode according to the polarity characteristic to make the diode forward
conducting. At this time, use a multimeter to measure the tube voltage drop. In addition, it is more convenient
if it is used in energized dynamic measurement.

2.3 Testing Methods of Types of Diodes

Zener Diodes

How to test a Zener diode? The following here is to give some ideas.
(1) Generally use the low-resistance block to test the Zener diode with a multimeter. Since the battery in the
meter is 1.5V, this voltage is not enough to make the Zener diode reverse breakdown. So the forward and
reverse resistance should be the same as a normal diode.
(2) Measurement of the voltage stabilization value Vz of the Zener diode. When measuring diode, the power
supply voltage must be greater than the stable voltage of the tube under test. In this way, the high-resistance
block of the multimeter (R×10k) must be used. At this time, the battery in the meter has a higher voltage.
When the multimeter's range is set to high barrier, measure diode reverse resistance. If the measured resistance
is Rx, the voltage regulation value of the Zener diode is:

In the formula, n is the override of the gear used. For example, if the highest electrical barrier of
R0 is the central resistance of the multimeter.
E0 is the highest battery voltage value of the multimeter used.
Example: Use an MF50 multimeter to measure a 2CW14 diode.
R0=10Ω, the highest electrical barrier is R×10k.
E0=15V, the measured reverse resistance is 75kΩ, then its voltage regulation value is:

If the measured resistance is very large (close to infinite), it means that the voltage Vz under test is greater
than E0, therefore, tube will not break down. If the measured resistance is very small (0 or only a few ohms),
it means that the test probes are connected reversely, and then just swap the test probes.

Light-emitting Diodes (LED)

A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor device that converts electrical energy into light energy. It has the
characteristics of small size, low working voltage and low working current.
(1) There is a PN junction inside the light-emitting diode, so LED has the same characteristic of unidirectional
conductivity. Its detection is similar to the measurement of ordinary diodes.
(2) Use the R×1k or R×10k gear, and the forward and reverse resistance values are measured. Generally, the
forward resistance is less than 50kΩ, and the reverse resistance is greater than 200kΩ.
(3) The working current of the light-emitting diode is an important parameter. If the working current is too
small, the light-emitting diode will not light up, and it is too large, the light-emitting diode will be easily
damaged.
(4) The forward turn-on voltage of the light-emitting diode is 1.2V ~ 2.5V, and the reverse breakdown voltage
is about 5V.

Photodiodes

Photodiode is a semiconductor device that can convert light intensity into electrical signals.
(1) There is a window on the top of the photodiode that can inject light, and the light irradiates the die through
it. Under the excitation of the light, a large number of photoelectric particles are generated in the photodiode,
which greatly enhances its conductivity and reduces internal resistance.
(2) The photodiode is similar to the Zener diode. It also works in the reverse state, with reverse voltage.
(3) The forward resistance of the photodiode does not change with the light. Its reverse resistance is larger
when there is no light, and becomes smaller when it is exposed to light. That is, the stronger the light, the
smaller the reverse resistance. Without light, the reverse resistance will return to the original value.
(4) According to the related principle, use a multimeter to measure the reverse resistance of the photodiode.
Change the light intensity when measuring, and observe the change of the reverse resistance of the
photodiode. If there is no change or less change of the reverse resistance when light changes, it indicates that
the tube has failed.

High-speed Switching Diodes

The method of detecting high-speed silicon switching diodes is the same as that of ordinary diodes. The
difference is that the forward resistance of this tube is relatively large. Measuring with Rxlk block, the forward
resistance value is 5k ~ 10k in general, and the reverse resistance value is infinite.

Fast Recovery Diodes / Ultrafast Recovery Diodes

Detecting fast recovery and ultra-fast recovery diodes with a multimeter is basically the same as that of
detecting plastic-encapsulated silicon rectifier diodes. That is, first use the Rxlk block to test its unidirectional
conductivity. Generally, the size of forward resistance is about 4 ~ 5k, and the reverse resistance is infinite.
And then use the Rxl block to repeat the test, at this time, the forward resistance is several ohms, and the
reverse resistance is still infinite.

DIAC (Diode for Alternating Current) Diodes

Use the Rxlk block, and measure the forward and reverse resistance values of diac, which should be infinite. If
the test probes are exchanged to measure, the pointer swings to the right, which indicates that the test tube has
a leakage fault. Another method is placing the multimeter in the DC voltage block. During the test, shake the
megohmmeter, and the voltage value indicated by the multimeter is the VBO value of the tube. Then change
the two pins of the tested tube, and measure the VBR value in the same way. Finally, compare VBO and VBR.
The smaller the difference between the absolute values of the two, the better the symmetry of the diac diode.

TVS Diodes

For the dual TVS, resistance values between the two pins should be infinite when the red and black test probes
of multimeter are exchanged at random. Otherwise, the tube has poor performance or has been damaged.

High-frequency Varistor Diodes

a. Identify Diode Polarity

The difference between high-frequency varistor diodes and ordinary diodes is that their color code is different.
It is generally black of ordinary diodes, while high-frequency varistor diodes’ is light. Its polarity rule is
similar to that of ordinary diodes. That is, the end with the green ring is the cathode, otherwise it is the anode.
b. Measure Forward and Reverse Resistance
The specific method is the same as the method of measuring ordinary diodes. Using the Rxlk block of a AM-
500 multimeter, the forward resistance is 5k～55k, and the reverse resistance is infinite.

Varactor Diodes

Using Rx10k block, no matter how the red and black test leads are exchanged for measurement, the resistance
between the two pins of the varactor diode should be infinite. During the measurement, if the multimeter
swings slightly to the right or the resistance value is zero, it means that the varactor diode under test has a
leakage fault or has been broken down. No matter the loss of varactor diode capacity or internal open-circuit
fault, it is impossible to detect them with a multimeter. When necessary, the replacement method can be used
for inspection to make judgment.

Infrared Light Emitting Diodes (IRED)

Put the multimeter in the Rxlk block and measure the forward and reverse resistance of the IRED diode.
Generally, the forward resistance should be about 30k, and the reverse resistance should be above 500k. It
means the tube can work normally. The larger the reverse resistance, the better.

IR Receiver Diodes

a. Appearance Identification: Diode Cathode / Anode

(1) Common infrared receiving diodes are black in appearance. In addition, there is a small oblique plane at
the top of the tube body of the infrared receiving diode. Usually, the pin with one end of the oblique plane is
the negative pole and the other end is the positive pole.
(2) Use the Rxlk block to test the resistances between two pins. When a diode works normally, the resistance
value of two pins are different. And exchange the test leads several times to get some pairs of values.
According to the smaller resistance value, the pin connected to the red probe is the cathode, and the pin
connected to the black probe is the anode.
b. Performance Detection
Use a multimeter to measure the forward and reverse resistance of the infrared receiving diode. According to
the resistance values, whether the diode is damaged can be judged preliminarily.

Laser Diodes

Use the Rxlk block of multimeter, and determine the order of the pins of the laser diode according to the
method of detecting ordinary diodes. Because the forward voltage drop of the laser diode is larger than that of
the ordinary diode, when detecting the forward resistance, the pointer of the multimeter is slightly deflected to
the right, and the reverse resistance is infinite.

Unijunction Transistor (UJT)

a. Discrimination of Electrodes
Based on the R×1k block, use two meter pens to measure the forward and reverse resistance between any two
of the three electrodes ( base B1 and base B2, and emitter E) of the ujt diode. The measured resistance values
between the two electrodes are both 2~10kΩ, in addition, B1 and B2 will be different.
b. Performance Judgment
The performance of an ujt diode can be judged by measuring whether the resistance between its pins is
normal. Use the R×1k barrier, the black test lead connect to the emitter E, and the red test lead connect to the
two base electrodes in turn. Normally, a resistance value should be several thousand to ten thousand ohms. On
the contrary, the red test lead connects to the emitter E, and the black test lead connects to the two base
electrodes in turn, and the resistance should be infinite under normal conditions. The forward and reverse
resistance values between the two bases are both in the range of 2~10kΩ. If they differ greatly from the
normal value, the diode is damaged.

Ⅲ Example Analysis

3.1 Test a Diode in Circuit

a. Diode Test UsingAnalog Multimeter

The following measurements are all based on silicon diodes. If it is a germanium diode, the forward and
reverse resistance of the diode will decrease.
1) Measure forward resistance FR
The following figure is a wiring schematic diagram for measuring the forward resistance of a diode with an
analog multimeter:
Give the result as follows:

Indicator Description

Use the R×1k block to measure the diode, the forward resistance
is several thousand ohms, and the pointer indicates stability. If the
pointer swings slightly, it indicates that the thermal stability of the
diode is poor.

If the pointer indicates hundreds of kiloohms when measuring the

forward resistance, it means that the diode is open.

If the pointer indicates tens of kiloohms, it indicates that the diode

has a large forward resistance and poor diode performance.

Description of measurement of forward resistance:

Forward Resistance (FR) Description

Thousands of ohms Normal

Zero or much less than a few Breakdown

thousand ohms

Hundreds of kilos Large FR, the diode is open

Dozens of kilohms Large FR, bad forward characteristics

The pointer is unstable Poor stability

2) Measure reverse resistance RR

The following figure is a wiring schematic diagram for measuring the reverse resistance of a diode with an
analog multimeter:
Give the result as follows:

Indicator Description

When measuring the reverse resistance, the value should be several

hundred kiloohms. The larger the resistance value is, the better the
indicator should be stable.

If the reverse resistance is only a few thousand ohms, it means that the
diode has broken down and has lost its unidirectional conductivity.

Description of measurement of reverse resistance

Reverse Resistance Description

Hundreds of kilos Normal

Zero Breakdown

Much less than a few Diode’s reverse characteristic is not good.

hundred thousand ohms

Pointer does not move The diode is open. Note: The reverse resistance of some diodes is very large, at
this time, it is not certain that the diode is open, so that its forward resistance
should be measured. If the value is normal, it means that the diode is not open.
 Pointer is unstable The pointer cannot be stabilized at a certain resistance value during
measurement, indicating that the diode has poor stability.

3.2 Power-off and Power-on Testing Methods

Diode in-circuit measurement is divided into two situations: Power-off and Power-on state
a. Power-off Measurement
There are something should be noted the method of this test.
The influence of the external circuit on the test result is the same as the resistance and capacitance
measured of internal circuit. And the influence of the measured forward resistance by the external circuit is
lower than the reverse resistance.

If there is any doubt about the measuring result, the diode should be removed from the circuit and
measured separately.

b. Power- on Measurement
When the circuit board is powered on, the test point is the tube voltage drop. Because the diode has a very
important characteristic: when it is turned on, the tube voltage drop is basically unchanged. So the voltage
drop is normal after being turned on, that is to say, the diode is normal.
Measurement method: The diagram below shows the connection diagram of the tube voltage drop after the
diode in the DC circuit. Setting multimeter in DC voltage 1 V block, the red probe is connected to the cathode
of the diode, and the voltage indicated is the forward voltage drop of the diode.
Diode forward voltage drop measurement results are analyzed as follows:

Diode Description

Silicon diode 0.6V The diode is normal and in a forward conducting state.

> 0.6V The diode is not in the conducting state.

Close to 0 The diode is in a breakdown state, the current in the loop will increase.

Germanium 0.2V The diode is normal and in a forward conducting state.

diode
> 0.2V The diode is off or is faulty.

Close to 0 In the breakdown state, the loop current increases significantly, without
unidirectional conductivity.

3.3 Conclusion

The following points should be noted when measuring diodes:

1) The diode in AC is in the cut-off state, because the diode is in the reverse state, and the reverse voltage at
both ends is very large. The average voltage across the diode measured by the DC block is negative at this
time.
2) Use different blocks of the same multimeter to measure positive and negative resistance of one diode, their
values will different. The forward and reverse resistances of the same diode measured with different
multimeters are also different.
3) When measuring the forward resistance of a diode, if the pointer cannot stop at a certain resistance value
and constantly swings, it indicates that the thermal stability of the diode is not good.
4) Some multimeters will provide a “diode check” function that displays the actual forward voltage of the
diode when its conducting current. Such meters typically indicate a slightly lower forward voltage than what is
“nominal state” for a diode, due to the very small amount of current used during the measurement.

Frequently Asked Questions about Diode Test

1. What is a diode test?
A diode is best tested by measuring the voltage drop across the diode when it is forward-biased. ... A
multimeter's Diode Test mode produces a small voltage between test leads. The multimeter then displays the
voltage drop when the test leads are connected across a diode when forward-biased.

2. How do you test a rectifier diode?

Touch the red (positive) probe of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the diode closet to the welder case
interior. Touch the black (negative) probe of the multimeter to the negative terminal of the same diode. The
multimeter should read a resistance between 0 and 1 ohm, or the diode is faulty.

3. How can you tell if a diode is positive or negative?

Sometimes it's easiest to just use a multimeter to test for polarity. Turn the multimeter to the diode setting
(usually indicated by a diode symbol), and touch each probe to one of the LED terminals. If the LED lights up,
the positive probe is touching the anode, and the negative probe is touching the cathode.

4. How do you test a Schottky diode?

Connect the red positive test lead to the anode of the Schottky diode and the black common test lead to the
cathode of the diode. Listen for a “beep” or a “buzz” from the multimeter. If the Schottky diode responds as
expected, the multimeter will sound a tone.

5. Can I test a diode in circuit?

A diode is best tested by measuring the voltage drop across the diode when it is forward-biased. A forward-
biased diode acts as a closed switch, permitting current to flow. A multimeter's Diode Test mode produces a
small voltage between test leads. ... Voltage may be present in the circuit due to charged capacitors.

6. How do you check a diode?

Diode Polarity
The polarity of both diodes is indicated with a stripe on one end of the body. The stripe corresponds to the line
in the schematic symbol, indicating the cathode. The other end (no stripe) is the anode, indicated by the
triangle in the schematic symbol.

7. What happens when a diode fails?

However, a failed diode can short out too. In this case, the diode will exhibit a small resistance in both
directions. The common reasons for a diode failure are excessive forward current and a large reverse voltage.
Usually, large reverse voltage leads to a shorted diode while overcurrent makes it fail open.

8. How can you tell if a diode is blown?

Turn the dial to “diode test” mode.
This level of current is high enough to produce a reading, yet not so high that the diode will fail. It may also be
labeled as “diode check” on your multimeter and is usually indicated by a small diode symbol. The diode
symbol will look like a triangle pointing towards a line.

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