Smart troubleshooting

pinpoints rectifier failures

Application Note

Diode is open

Testing D1
Functions C
Load 0/ Volts
60 Hz
Case Input

Study
Diode testing
If the diode
Current flow conducts in: It is:
+ – Both directions Shorted
Neither direction Open
One direction only Good

Measuring tools: Fluke 189

Digital Multimeter

Operator: Golden Valley Electric

Association

Tests conducted: What tests?

Figure 1. Half-wave rectifier with failed diode.

The Golden Valley Electric “Our focus on rectifiers is the Diodes and capacitors:
Association’s generating capac- result of the need for clean A rectifier’s critical
ity of 228 megawatts, along direct current to maintain the components
with its 2,566 miles of trans- charge on backup batteries at
mission and distribution lines each of our substations,” he As the key components of recti-
and its 31 substations, enables says. To keep an eye on the fiers, diodes and capacitors play
it to supply electric power to utility’s systems, Gengler relies an important role in Gengler’s
approximately 90,000 residents on a Fluke 189, a high-accuracy work. Let’s take a look.
of Alaska’s interior region. As (0.025 % DC), handheld digital Half-wave rectifiers
part of a team including 12 multimeter (DMM). On occasion, “In the first example, we will
wiremen and 23 linemen, he also finds that the graphic use a capacitor in parallel with
James Gengler helps keep this display of a handheld Fluke load and acting as an input
system spinning like a top. digital oscilloscope (DSO) can filter,” notes Gengler. (See
Occasionally, that task requires assist in spotting problems on Figure 1.) “The problem here is
the performance of a miracle rectifier outputs. that there is no voltage across
worker, he says, but more often the load. That means the circuit
it involves getting the upper is open, and the question is
hand on power supply rectifiers.

From the Fluke Digital Library @ www.fluke.com/library

 whether the diode has failed— Gengler cites the three possi- pulsating dc is created. This is
and is operating as an open ble states of a diode and how accomplished through the func-
switch, thereby and killing to identify them. If the diode tioning of the diodes. If diode
power to the circuit. The DMM conducts in only one direction, D1 is open, current will conduct
shows zero volts. it is good. If it conducts in both through the load only during
To confirm Gengler’s hypoth- directions, it is shorted. If it the negative half-cycle of the
esis that the diode is open, he conducts in neither direction, it input signal. The open will
first removes the diode from the is open. prevent current through the
circuit. “Now, we place the Full-wave rectifiers load on the positive half-cycle.
DMM in the Diode Test mode Next, Gengler applies the basics “If both diodes are operating
and measure across the diode to a common type of full-wave properly, the negative wave
by placing the negative lead on rectifier. (See Figure 2.) As in cycles of the ac are ‘flipped,’
the negative side of the diode, the previous example, the full- creating a second, or extra,
and the positive lead on posi- wave rectifier is connected to a positive wave cycle. This
tive side of the diode. There is load and uses the same capaci- creates a frequency output that
no audible tone across the tor-input filter. is double the input frequency.”
diode when the diode is biased “Let’s examine the circuit in What would the oscilloscope
if it is open. The DMM will its entirety. First, we establish indicate if the capacitor-input
display infinite resistance, O.L. that the circuit receives an ac filter was also open? Refer to
(for over load, meaning the source of 60 Hz—this is the example in Figure 3.
resistance is so significant it confirmed by a DSO that we
cannot be read), or a high mega have installed across the circuit.
ohm value indicative of reverse This 60 Hz signature also D1 “C” opens
break down voltage, which the shows a significant ripple1, a
diode is not specifically phenomenon created by the 60 Hz
Input D2 C Load
designed to do, causing failure. charging and discharging of the
“Now reverse the DMM leads capacitor-input filter.”
and note the DMM reading. If Is this frequency and ripple
the meter reads a high resist- pattern an indication of a prob-
ance value and no tone in lem?” he asks. “Yes, in a full-
either direction, you know that wave rectifier, rectified dc or 120 Hz
that the diode is bad. no ripple

If the capacitor input filter (C) is open, the ripple is lost.

1 “Ripple” or “ripple voltage” refers to the amount
of ac voltage mixed with the rectifier’s dc output. When the
If D1 is also open, the wave form would show every
desired goal is pure dc, ripple voltage is undesirable. other peak.

D1 is open Figure 3. Full-wave rectifier with failed input capacitor.

D1 D1
“Whether diode D1 is func-
60 Hz 60 Hz
tioning properly or not, one can
Input D2 C Load Input D2 C Load easily determine if the capaci-
tor-input filter is open,” he says.
“If the capacitor fails, the ripple
effect is lost, causing a signifi-
cant failure in the filtering action
60 Hz 120 Hz
waveform waveform of the rectified DC output.”
ripple ripple is less

Waveform with D1 open Waveform with D1 functioning properly

With D1 open, D2 conducts only the negative If the open D1 is replace with a properly functioning
half-cycle of the input. The open D1 prevents diode, the waveform should have a frequency of
current flow on the positive half-cycle. 120 Hz because both the negative and positive
half-cycle are conducted.

Figure 2. Full-wave rectifier with failed diode.

2 Fluke Corporation Smart troubleshooting pinpoints rectifier failures

 “In this case, the filtered Gengler offers one final tip: open indication for most diodes.
full-wave voltage will have less “Do not use the DMM’s resist- And note that diodes are
ripple than the half-wave ance (ohms) mode to measure a commonly made of geranium or
voltage,” says Gengler. “This is diode. This setting lacks the silicon, and each has a different
because the capacitor proper voltage to bias a diode, biasing voltage—typically 0.5 V
discharges less during the which, in turn, can give a false to 0.7 V.”
shorter intervals created
between the full-wave pulses.
In this respect, bridge rectifiers Half-wave rectifiers
are no different from full-wave
rectifiers. The affects of diodes A half-wave rectifier allows one half of an ac waveform to pass
and capacitor-input filters in through to the load. Its output is a variable, or pulsed, dc signal.
the two cases are See Figure 5.
the same.”

Diode failures
V A V A
“Diodes fail if a circuit condition +
AC
exists that allows the diode to voltage Load
source
reach a reverse breakdown –
voltage,” says Gengler. “In most
cases, the result is an open, but Figure 5. Half-wave rectifier circuit.
it may also be a short.* A
shorted diode in a bridge recti- Full-wave rectifiers
fier circuit would more than If order to rectify ac power so as to use both half-cycles of the
likely burn open because of sine wave, a different rectifier circuit configuration must be used.
sufficiently high current that Such a circuit is called a full-wave rectifier. Its output is also a
would exist during one half of pulsed dc signal, but at twice the frequency of the half-wave
the input cycle. (See Figure 4.) signal. See Figure 6.
The amount of current in the
shorted diode would cause it
to open, and the other diode
in series with it might also fail V A V A
+
open.” AC
voltage Load
If both diodes open, no volt- source
–
age will develop across the
load. “In such a case,” he says,
“a shorted capacitor would Figure 6. Full-wave rectifier circuit (center-tap design).
cause an excess of current
through the diodes and burn all
four diodes open.”
*Some diodes, called Zeners, are designed to oper-
ate in the reverse breakdown voltage region.

Fluke. Keeping your world

up and running.
D3
+–
D4
Fluke Corporation
D3 + PO Box 9090, Everett, WA USA 98206
–+ Fluke Europe B.V.
D2 PO Box 1186, 5602 BD
–
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
For more information call:
In the U.S.A. (800) 443-5853 or
Figure 4. Bridge rectifier with multiple diode failures.
Fax (425) 446-5116
In Europe/M-East/Africa (31 40) 2 675 200 or
Fax (31 40) 2 675 222
In Canada (800)-36-FLUKE or
Gengler’s final thought: “For testing rectifiers, Fax (905) 890-6866
make sure you have a good DMM in your toolbelt. DMMs From other countries +1 (425) 446-5500 or
such as the Fluke 189 are equipped with the specialized Fax +1 (425) 446-5116
Web access: http://www.fluke.com
functions you need for your toughest testing challenges.”
©2005 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A. 5/2005 2453099 A-US-N Rev A

3 Fluke Corporation Smart troubleshooting pinpoints rectifier failures