EXPERIMENT 2: PN JUNCTION DIODE CHARACTERISTIC

Objectives:
▪ Diode characteristics.
▪ Diode rectifier.
▪ Diode circuits.

Equipment required:
▪ TPS-3321
▪ Power supply
▪ A multimeter
▪ Banana wires
▪ Silicon diode 1N914, Germanium diode 1N270 and resistor 2K

Discussion:
The p-n junction is a semiconductor diode. Its symbol is:

(Cathode) (Anode)

Figure 2-4

Current can flow through the diode only on one direction – from the anode to the cathode. The
following figure describes the diode voltage-current characteristic.

PRV

Figure 2-5

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When forward bias is applied (the anode is positive in respect to the cathode) and the forward voltage is
over a certain value (0.5V for silicon diodes and 0.1V for germanium diodes), the diode conducts and
acts as a very low resistor. The forward voltage drop on the diode remains substantially constant as long
as the average current is within the rated value of the rectifier. Over the rated value, the rectifier may
damage.

Under normal reverse bias conditions, the rectifier limits current flow to a few microamperes. If the
reverse bias exceeds the rated Peak Reverse Voltage (PRV), the reverse current increases very rapidly.
Usually, a voltage over PRV is forbidden and may damage the diode.

There are diodes, which are aimed for operation in the PRV range and they are called Zener diodes.

2.1.1 Diode circuits

The diode is a very popular component in electronic circuits and has many applications. To analyze a
diode circuit, we use the optimum diode characteristic:

Figure 2-6

First, we check if the diode is under a forward bias or under a reverse bias.

SES
2.2.2 Forward bias
In a forward bias over the threshold voltage, we may assume that the diode voltage drop is the
threshold voltage (0.7V for a silicon diode and 0.1V for a germanium diode). The current is determined
by the electronic circuit.

Example a):

ID = IR 2K
+
V = VR V 12V VD

Figure 2-7

=I
+ VD = I ⋅ R + VD

VD = 0.7V
I ⋅ R = V − VD
V − VD 12 − 0.7
I= = = 5.65mA
R 2K

SES
2.2.3 Reverse bias
In reverse bias, we may assume that the diode current is zero (if it is not a zener diode). The diode
voltage is determined by the electronic circuit.

Example b):

ID = IR 2K
V = VR +
V 12V VD

Figure 2-8

=I=0
+ VD = I ⋅ R + VD = 0VD

VD = V = 12V

Example c):

+
2K R1
V -

I2 ID

4K R2 VD

Figure 2-9

SES
The diode is under forward bias.

VR 2 = VD = 0.7V
V = VR1 + VD = I ⋅ R1 + VD
V − VD 6 − 0.7
I= = = 2.65mA
R1 2K

I 2 ⋅ R 2 = VD
VD 0.7
2I= = = 0.175mA
R 2 4K

I = I2 + ID
I D = I − I 2 = 2.65m − 0.175m = 2.475mA

SES
 Procedure:
Step 1: Connect the TPS-3321 to the power supply.

Step 2: Connect the power supply to the Mains.

Step 3: Connect the following circuit to a variable power supply.

1K

D1
Vs
1N914

Step 4: Turn ON the power supply.

Step 5: Change VS according to the following table and register the measured values of V R and VD.

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
VS [V] -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
VR [V]
VD [V]
IR [mA]

Step 6: Calculate or measure IR for each column in the table in the table.

Step 7: Plot your results on the following graph.

IR

VD

SES
Step 8: Replace the silicon diode with the germanium diode 1N270 (i.e. D5).

Step 9: Change VS according to the following table and register the measured values of VR and VD.

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
VS [V] -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
VR [V]
VD [V]
IR [mA]

Step 10: Calculate IR for each column in the table.

Step 11: Plot your results on the following graph.

IR

VD

Step 12: Implement the following circuit.

1K
+
V 12V VD

Step 13: Measure VR and VD.

Step 14: Calculate IR.

Step 15: Draw your conclusions.

Step 16: Change the source voltage to 5V in example a.

Step 17: Calculate VR and IR when VD = 0.7V.

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 Step 18: Measure VR and VD.

Step 19: Calculate IR.

Step 20: Compare the measured results with the calculated results.

Step 21: Draw your conclusions.

Step 22: Implement the following circuit on the main plug in board.

1K R
5
12V -

I2 ID

100Ω R6 V D

Step 23: Measure VR5, VR6 and VD.

Step 24: Calculate IR5 and IR6.

Step 25: Draw your conclusions.

Step 26: Change the source voltage to 5V.

Step 27: Calculate VR5, VR6, VD, IR5 and IR6.

Step 28: Measure VR5, VR6 and VD.

Step 29: Calculate IR5 and IR6.

Step 30: Compare the measurement results with the calculation results.

Step 31: Draw your conclusions.

Questions:

1. What is the approximate turn-on voltage of the diode?

2. What are the two ratings that determine the maximum operating condition of
semiconductor diodes?