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    Diode Test Mode in The Multimeter

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    Andre nichols
    1. A multimeter's Diode Test mode is the best way to test diodes by producing a small voltage to measure the forward voltage drop across the diode. 2. A good forward-biased diode will display a voltage drop of 0.5-0.8V for silicon diodes and 0.2-0.3V for germanium diodes, while a reverse-biased good diode will display OL. 3. A shorted or opened diode can also be identified, with a shorted diode showing the same reading in both directions and an opened diode displaying OL in both directions.

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    Diode Test Mode in The Multimeter

    Uploaded by

    Andre nichols
    330 views3 pages
    1. A multimeter's Diode Test mode is the best way to test diodes by producing a small voltage to measure the forward voltage drop across the diode. 2. A good forward-biased diode will display a voltage drop of 0.5-0.8V for silicon diodes and 0.2-0.3V for germanium diodes, while a reverse-biased good diode will display OL. 3. A shorted or opened diode can also be identified, with a shorted diode showing the same reading in both directions and an opened diode displaying OL in both directions.

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    Diode Test mode in the multimeter

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    1. A multimeter's Diode Test mode is the best way to test diodes by producing a small voltage to measure the forward voltage drop across the diode. 2. A good forward-biased diode will display a voltage drop of 0.5-0.8V for silicon diodes and 0.2-0.3V for germanium diodes, while a reverse-biased good diode will display OL. 3. A shorted or opened diode can also be identified, with a shorted diode showing the same reading in both directions and an opened diode displaying OL in both directions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    330 views3 pages

    Diode Test Mode in The Multimeter

    Uploaded by

    Andre nichols
    1. A multimeter's Diode Test mode is the best way to test diodes by producing a small voltage to measure the forward voltage drop across the diode. 2. A good forward-biased diode will display a voltage drop of 0.5-0.8V for silicon diodes and 0.2-0.3V for germanium diodes, while a reverse-biased good diode will display OL. 3. A shorted or opened diode can also be identified, with a shorted diode showing the same reading in both directions and an opened diode displaying OL in both directions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    At a glance
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    The key takeaways are that a multimeter can be used to test diodes using either diode test mode or resistance mode, and the document explains the procedures and expected readings for each method.

    To test a diode using a multimeter's diode test mode, you connect the test leads to the diode in both polarities and record the voltage drop readings displayed.

    A good forward-biased diode would display a voltage drop between 0.5-0.8V, while a reverse-biased good diode would display OL. These readings indicate the diode is functioning properly as a closed/open switch respectively.

    Steps for using a multimeter in the Diode Test mode.

    How to test diodes


    Digital multimeters can test diodes using one of two methods:

    1. Diode Test mode: almost always the best approach.


    2. Resistance mode: typically used only if a multimeter is not equipped with a
    Diode Test mode.

    Note: In some cases it may be necessary to remove one end of the diode from the
    circuit in order to test the diode.
    Things to know about the Resistance mode when testing diodes:

     Does not always indicate whether a diode is good or bad.


     Should not be taken when a diode is connected in a circuit since it can
    produce a false reading.
     CAN be used to verify a diode is bad in a specific application after a Diode
    Test indicates a diode is bad.

    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. The
    multimeter then displays the voltage drop when the test leads are connected across
    a diode when forward-biased. The Diode Test procedure is conducted as follows:

    1. Make certain a) all power to the circuit is OFF and b) no voltage exists at the
    diode. Voltage may be present in the circuit due to charged capacitors. If so,
    the capacitors need to be discharged. Set the multimeter to measure ac or dc
    voltage as required.
    2. Turn the dial (rotary switch) to Diode Test mode (   ). It may share a space
    on the dial with another function.
    3. Connect the test leads to the diode. Record the measurement displayed.
    4. Reverse the test leads. Record the measurement displayed.

    Diode test analysis


     A good forward-based diode displays a voltage drop ranging from 0.5 to 0.8
    volts for the most commonly used silicon diodes. Some germanium diodes
    have a voltage drop ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 V.
     The multimeter displays OL when a good diode is reverse-biased. The OL
    reading indicates the diode is functioning as an open switch.
     A bad (opened) diode does not allow current to flow in either direction. A
    multimeter will display OL in both directions when the diode is opened.
     A shorted diode has the same voltage drop reading (approximately 0.4 V) in
    both directions.

    A multimeter set to the Resistance mode (Ω) can be used as an additional diode test
    or, as mentioned previously, if a multimeter does not include the Diode Test mode.

    A diode is forward-biased when the positive (red) test lead is on the anode and the
    negative (black) test lead is on the cathode.

     The forward-biased resistance of a good diode should range from 1000 Ω to


    10 MΩ.
     The resistance measurement is high when the diode is forward-biased
    because current from the multimeter flows through the diode, causing the
    high-resistance measurement required for testing.
    A diode is reverse-biased when the positive (red) test lead is on the cathode and the
    negative (black) test lead is on the anode.

     The reverse-biased resistance of a good diode displays OL on a multimeter.


    The diode is bad if readings are the same in both directions.

    The resistance mode procedure is conducted as follows:

    1. Make certain a) all power to the circuit is OFF and b) no voltage exists at the
    diode. Voltage may be present in the circuit due to charged capacitors. If so,
    the capacitors need to be discharged. Set the multimeter to measure ac or dc
    voltage as required.
    2. Turn the dial to Resistance mode (Ω). It may share a space on the dial with
    another function.
    3. Connect the test leads to the diode after it has been removed from the circuit.
    Record the measurement displayed.
    4. Reverse the test leads. Record the measurement displayed.
    5. For best results when using the Resistance mode to test diodes, compare the
    readings taken with a known good diode.

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