POLITEKNIK MERLIMAU MELAKA

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

DJM 40103- POWER ELECTRONICS

LAB SHEET PRACTICAL TASK 2

Programme Learning Outcome

Design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with the design of systems, components or
PLO 3 processes to meet specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural,
societal, and environmental considerations.
Course Learning Outcome:
Construct power electronic converter and electrical drive circuits based
CLO 2
on schematic diagram. (P4, PLO3)

TITLE: LESSON 1. Characteristics of the Diode

LESSON 2. Full wave Rectifer

INTRODUCTION:

Diode is an electronic device having conductor at their ends. The principle behind the diode is similar to
a valve or agate, which lets electricity flow only in one direction (Simple English Wikipedia, Diode).
Application of diodes is broad. They serve as converter from alternating current to direct current, met at
the power supplies. Also they can be used in radio equipment to decode amplitude modulation.
Nowadays, there are two basic semiconductor materials which the diode is made from: silicon and
germanium.

Two types of semiconductors are joined to each other to produce semiconductor diode. One of them
has spare holes (p side), and the other has extra electrons (n side). This results in the flow of electrons

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from the side, where there are more electrons to the side where there are less of them, i.e. current.
However, it is difficult to flow for the current in the reverse direction. Connecting electrodes are
following: positive p-side is anode, and negative n-side is cathode.

OBJECTIVES:

This laboratory work consists of two parts. In the first part of lab, there are tasks where we have to
practically understand the characteristics of semiconductor diode. Specifically, measure forward and
reverse resistances, voltages and the current. The measurements are to be collected into table. This will
lead to strengthening our theoretical knowledge about the diodes. In the second part of lab, we deal
with full wave rectifier, which is made of four diodes. By removing jumpers, which disable diodes, we
are to analyze the behavior of graph displayed in oscilloscope. Full wave rectifiers are vitally important
to understand for us, since they play a key role in converting alternating current into direct current.

BODY:

LESSON1:

Used equipment and electronic devices: Module MCM3/EV, Power supply PSLC or PS1-PSU/EV,
,jumpers, Fluke 115 True RMS Multimeter, built-in silicon and germanium diodes, built-in resistors,
oscilloscope.

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Task 1.1

The initial task was to measure the forward and reverse resistance of silicon and germanium diodes.
Fromthe theory, diodes have high resistance whilst the reverse bias and low resistance when they are
forward bias. The principal schematic of connection for taking resistance measurement is illustrated in
the Figure1.1 and Figure 1.2

Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2. Resistance test for forward and reverse bias diode

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OBTAINED DATA:

Initially, before starting we noticed that the built-in silicon diode of the MCM3/EV module was burnt.
We immediately let the teacher assistant know about that. With her permission, we continued lab. All
the tasks were conducted only with germanium diode. The results of the measurement for germanium
diode:

Diode

Forward Bias Reverse Bias

(2 mark)

Table 1. Forward bias and reverse bias resistances

Discussion & Analysis

As we can see from the table, germanium diode has no resistance when it is …………………..(forward bias/
reverse bias) and ……………..(low/high) resistance when it is reverse bias. This is because electrons flow
from n-type material into p-type material without any difficulty, however they face challenge when do
the opposite. Based on this conclusion, it was easy to guess the answer to the following question:

(2 mark)

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Task 1.2

The aim of this task was to measure the voltage as a function of current during the forward bias, and the
current as a function of voltage during the reverse bias. First guess refreshed from theory is that voltage
has to increase if the current increases. However, we have to bear in mind, that in this case current
flows from anode to cathode. For the opposite, there is no current until breakdown voltage, i.e. reverse
bias case. For better explanation, graph below is provided.

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OBTAINED DATA: (all tables with measured values, observed graphs and data, calculations):

All the tasks were conducted only with germanium diode. The results of the measurement for
germanium diode in the forward bias:

mA 1 2 4 7 9

V Vdiode

(5 mark)

The results of the measurement for germanium diode in the reverse bias:

V V 5 10 20

mA Idiode Ge

(2 mark)

Discussion & Analysis:

Forward breakdown voltage after which current exponentially grows with voltage…………..(decrease/
increase) starts at about0.15 V (Germanium diodes). As we can see from the table of germanium diode,
its voltage and current are related with some function, not proportional. With the …………..(decrease/
increase) of current, the voltage …………..(decrease/ increase) and vice versa. For the reverse bias case,
there is no current flow.

(3 mark)

Q1. How does the diode behave as the supply voltage varies?

Answer:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

(4 mark)

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Task 1.3

The objective of this task was to display the diode characteristics on the oscilloscope. Specifically,
channel1 probe was to measure the voltage across diode and channel 2 was used to test the voltage
across the resistor. The principal schematic of circuit connection is illustrated below in the Figure 4.

Figure 4. Oscilloscope connection into circuit

Obtained data

Waveform Channel 1
(5 mark)

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 Waveform Channel 2
(5 mark)

Discussion & Analysis

The graph originally shows the relationship between resistor voltage and germanium diode voltage. The
diode does not let the current flow until breakdown…………………( voltage/current) (open circuit). After
breakdown voltage (approximately 0.3 V) is reached, graph appears to be perpendicular. That means
diode is………………… (closed/opened) and lets the current flow through it. It becomes short circuit
(constant voltage across it).

(2 mark)

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Task 1.4

The objective of this task was to analyze half-wave rectifier circuit behavior with the help of
oscilloscope. Specifically, channel 1 probe was to measure the input voltage and channel 2 was used to
test the voltage across two series resistors, one of which was variable. The principal schematic of circuit
connection is illustrated below in the Figure 4.

Figure 5. Half-wave rectifier circuit with oscilloscope

Obtained data:

Draw Input voltage and output voltage graphs for half-wave rectifier

(5 mark)

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Discussion & Analysis

Channel 1 is represented by the yellow color, the input voltage. The channel 2 is represented by the blue
color, output voltage across series resistors. According to the figure obtained from oscilloscope, we
notice that input and output voltages are in phase, however the output voltage has its negative part
rectified. This is due to the diode property, which lets current flow only in……….. (one/two) direction.
Moreover, (input/output)…………….. voltage has higher amplitude during positive half. In my
understanding, this small voltage (difference) is needed to switch the diode on (breakdown voltage).
From Kirchoff`s Voltage Law for this diagram:

With these acknowledgements above, it is easier to answer the following question.

Q3. What are the differences in the 2 displayed signals?

Answer:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

(5 mark)

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Lesson 2

Full Wave Rectifier (Graetz Bridge Rectifier)The objective of this task was to analyze full-wave rectifier
circuit behavior with the help of oscilloscope. Specifically, channel 1 probe was to measure the voltage
between anode of D3 and ground. Channel 2 was used to test the output voltage across two series
resistors, one of which was variable.

The principal schematic of circuit connection is illustrated below in the Figure 4.

Figure 7. Full-wave rectifier circuit with oscilloscope

Obtained data

The oscilloscope output when all the diodes are present. Channel 1 shows half rectification while the
channel 2 shows full rectification. Draw the waveform for Channel 1 & 2

(10 mark)

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Task 1

Disconnecting: J14, J15, J16 and draw the waveform

(5 mark)

Discussion & Analysis

Disconnection of three D3, D4, D5 leads to open circuit. No………………… (current/voltage) flows through
resistors. Hence, oscillograph shows yellow input sinusoid on channel 1 and zero voltage on channel 2.
Moreover, the shape of input graph became more round. This is due to the fact that we have AC input
voltage and no diodes try to rectify input.

(1 mark)

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Task 2

Disconnecting: J16, J14 and draw the waveform

(5 mark)

Discussion & Analysis

Disconnection of D3, D5 diodes also lead to…………. (close/open) circuit. No current flows through
resistors. There is only potential difference left of the input voltage. Hence, oscillograph shows yellow
input sinusoid on channel 1and zero voltage on channel 2. The shape of input graph is the similarly more
round. This is also due to the fact that we have AC input voltage and no diodes try to rectify input.

(1 mark)

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Task 3

Disconnecting: J15, J16 and draw the waveform

(5 mark)

Discussion & Analysis

Disconnection of D4, D5 diodes lead to half rectified output voltage. Current is flowing only
in………………….. (one/two) direction. Oscillograph shows both channels rectified. However, channel 1
sinusoid is pulsing during the (positive/negative) half.

(1 mark)

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Task 4

Disconnecting: J14, J17 and draw the waveform

(5 mark)

Discussion & Analysis

Disconnection of D3, D6 diodes also lead to……….(half/full) rectified output voltage. Current is flowing
only in one direction. Oscillograph shows both channels rectified. However, channel 1 sinusoid is
pulsing during the……………….(positive/ negative) half.

(2 mark)

Conclusion:

TOTAL MARKS PRACTIKAL TASK : 75 100

Prepared by, Verified by,

(Ainul Azniza Ahmad Zaini) Program Leader of Mechatronic

Engineering

Lecturer Department Mechanical Engineering Department Mechanical Engineering

Date: Date:

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