LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

TLE _ Electronic Products Assembly & Servicing 9

I. LEARNING SKILLS
A. TESTING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (TEC)

Test components
CG Code: TLE_IAEPAS9-12TEC-IIIh-i-25

B. Objectives:
1. Apply testing methods to ensure that the products meet creative,
production, and technical requirements
2. Record problems and faults detected by testing and document remedial
steps taken in records system

II. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT

Task 1: Lesson Information

Read Lesson Information closely and find out how much
you can remember. Then do Practice Task 1 & 2

INFORMATION SHEET
How to Test a Diode
A diode is a device that lets current flow in only one direction. A diode has two
terminals, called the anode and the cathode. Current will flow through the diode only when
positive voltage is applied to the anode and negative voltage to the cathode. If these
voltages are reversed, current will not flow.

Using Analog Multimeter to Test a Diode

Testing a diode with an Analogue Multimeter can be done on any of the resistance
ranges. [The high resistance range is best - it sometimes has a high voltage battery for this
range but this does not affect our testing]
Set the ohmmeter range to x1 or x10. Calibrate the ohmmeter.
There are two things you must remember.
1. Connect the positive probes of the tester to the anode (A) of the diode and negative probe
to the cathode (K) of diode. It should be no deflection or infinite resistance. Meaning, when

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the diode is measured in one direction, the needle will not move at all. The technical term for
this is the diode is reverse biased. It will not allow any current to flow. Thus the needle will
not move.

The diode is REVERSE BIASED in the diagram above and diodes not conduct.

Connect the positive probes of the tester to the cathode (K) of the diode and negative
probe to the anode (A) of diode. The tester should deflect but not rest at zero ohms.
Meaning if you reverse the test probe, the needle will move to a slightly different position due
to the resistances inside the meter. The technical term for this is the diode is forward
biased. This indicates the diode is not faulty.

The diode is FORWARD BIASED in the diagram above and it conducts.

2. The leads of an Analogue Multimeter have the positive of the battery connected to the
black probe and the readings of a "good diode" are shown in the following two diagrams:

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 Forward Biased Reverse Biased

Defective Diode
• When tester pointer won’t deflect even the probe is reverse. The diode is Open.
• The resistance reading deflects and measures the same in both directions. The diode
is shorted.
• Physical damage is another sign to look for in a diode. Some signs of a damaged
diode are:
o A burned cracked diode
o A spot that looks like a blister (like a small cigarette burn
sometimes)
o Some diodes will even be split in two
o You can also look for a burnt smell coming from the diode

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For additional learning experience, watch the video presentation at youtube.com using the
link listed below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMJDhD7wsVQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olb_Hi7UbSk

III. ACTIVITIES 1 whole sheet of paper

Practice Task 1
Assessment “Completion Items”
D. Direction: Complete the statements below. Use a separate sheet for your answers.

1. When tester pointer won’t deflect even the probe is reverse. The diode is ______.
2. The resistance reading deflects and measures the same in both directions. The
diode is ___________.
3. Connect the positive probes of the tester to the cathode (K) of the diode and
negative probe to the anode (A) of diode. The technical term for this is the diode
is _________________________.
4. Connect the positive probes of the tester to the anode (A) of the diode and
negative probe to the cathode (K) of diode. The technical term for this is the
diode is __________________________.
5 - 6 A diode has two terminals, called the ________ and the __________.
7 - 8 The function of a diode, the current will flow through the diode only when
_________ voltage is applied to the anode and __________ voltage to the
cathode.

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 9. In reverse biased, it should be ____________________. Meaning, when the diode
is measured in one direction, the needle will not move at all.
10. In forward biased, the tester should _________________. Meaning if you reverse
the test probe, the needle will move to a slightly different position due to the
resistances inside the meter.

Practice Task 2

Guide Questions
1. How do we calibrate an analog multimeter? Enumerate the process.
2. What are the physical damages to look for in a diode?

Practice task 3
Illustrate the following diagram:
1. Forward biased.
2. Reverse biased.
3. The tester pointer deflects and measures the same in both directions.
4. The tester pointer won’t deflect even if the probe is reverse or no deflection or infinite
resistance.
Practice task 4
Create at least a 2 min. video presentation on how to test a diode using analog
multitester. (OPTIONAL)

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