Lab#02: Characteristics of Power Diode
Objective: To become familiar with the operating principles of
power diodes
Introduction:
Diode is two terminal device act as uncontrolled switch. The positive
terminal called anode and negative terminal called cathode. The barrier
potential between P and N region is called PN junction or depletion region.
Diodes are basically used for rectification. They are also use for
unidirectional flow of current.
Diode Biasing:
Diode can be biased in two ways
1. Forward biasing
In case of forward biasing, anode must be at higher potential
than cathode and voltage supply must be greater than diode
potential barrier. In forward biased condition diode act as close
switch
2. Reverse biasing
In case of reverse biasing, cathode is at higher potential then
anode. In this condition diode act as open switch and no current
flow through circuit
Types of Power Diode
1. General Purpose Diode
Rating 6000V, 4500A
Forward voltage drop 0.5 to 1.2
2. Fast Recovery Diode
Rating: 6000V, 1100A.
Forward voltage drop 0.5V to 1.2V.
Recovery time 0.1us to 0.5us.
3. Schottky diode
Rating: 100V, 300A.
Recovery time: nanoseconds
Precaution:
Before starting the experiment make sure your hands are dry.
Make sure you are not wearing any ring or jewelry.
Turn the voltage supply knob to zero.
Dont implement the circuit in hurry.
Make sure your circuit is fine. Ask instructor for assurance.
Dont turn off the power supply directly. 1st Make it zero from knob
then turn off.
Before disassembling the circuit, turn off the power supply 1 st.
Report any damages to equipment, hazards, and potential hazards
to the laboratory instructor.
Equipment
DC voltage power supply.
Power diode
Resistive load
Data acquisition module
Connection cables
Computer
Procedure: Forward Biased
1. Connect connector with variable DC supply s positive terminal then
connect second terminal of connector with one of Ammeter(I 1)s
terminal.
2. Now connect 2nd terminal with anode of power diode. Ammeter is
used to calculate current of circuit.
3. Connect cathode of the diode with resistive load of 210 then
connect loads 2nd terminal with power supplys negative terminal.
4. Connect voltmeter (E1) in parallel with diode to find out voltage
across diode.
5. Make sure power supply control is at zero.
6. Turn on the power supply and data acquisition module and connect it
with computer via usb port.
7. Run the LVDAS software in computer and select voltage supply and
frequency. Now click on metering to measure the current through
diode and voltage across diode. Turn off all meters except E 1 and I1.
Change AC to DC.
8. Now click Refresh in metering windows and note reading of voltage
from E1 and current from I1.
9. Note values of current and voltage to see the behavior of power
diode.
10.
Click the graph icon to see the behavior of power diode
graphically.
Procedure:
Reverse Biased
11.
Repeat the same procedure as described for forward biased
except change the polarity across diode. Connect negative terminal
of the source with anode and positive with cathode
Forward Bias
Vd (Volts)
Id (A)
0.41
0.003
0.628
0.016
0.703
0.036
0.791
0.071
0.846
0.092
0.934
0.134
1.004
0.17
1.123
0.224
1.371
0.325
1.51
0.392
1.714
2.022
Reverse bias
Vd (Volts)
IL (A)
-2.36
0
-10
0
-30
0
-50
0
-80
0
-100
0
-130
-0.001
-170
-0.001
-200
-0.001
-220
-0.001
0.487
0.635
2.25
2.508
0.741
0.861
Power Diode Forward Bias Graphically Results
Current (I) - Ampare
1
0.86
0.9
0.74
0.8
0.64
0.7
0.49
0.6
0.39
0.5
0.33
0.4
0.22
0.3
0.17
0.2 [Link].090.13
0.10
0
Diode Voltage (Vd) - Volts
Power Diode Reverse Bias Graphically Results
-250
-200
-150
-100
-50
-0.01
-0.02
Leakage Current Il
-0.03
-0.04
-0.05
Diode Voltage (Vd) - Volts
Conclusion:
In forward biased condition diode act as a close switch and allow
current to flow after reaching its barrier potential. The potential drop
across diode is low
In reverse biased condition diode the does not allow current to flow
and act as open switch. However, the leakage current flow due to
minority charge carriers. The potential across diode is maximum but
less then PIV. If we reach PIV diode will not bear this high voltage
and damaged
