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ELECTRONIC PRINCIPLES
(ELCP204)

Lecture 02 :Diode applications

 Objectives
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 Understand the concept of load-line analysis and how it

is applied to diode networks.
 Become familiar with the use of equivalent circuits to
analyse series, parallel, and series-parallel diode
networks.
 Understand the process of rectification to establish a dc
level from a sinusoidal ac input.
 Be able to predict the output response of a clipper and
clamper diode configuration.
 Become familiar with the analysis of and the range of
applications for Zener diodes.
 SERIES DIODE CONFIGURATIONS
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 The forward resistance

of the diode is usually
so small compared to
the other series
elements of the network
that it can be ignored.
 SERIES DIODE CONFIGURATIONS
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 SERIES DIODE CONFIGURATIONS
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 For the series configuration of Repeat Example with the diode reversed.
the following figure determine
VD , VR and ID
 SERIES DIODE CONFIGURATIONS
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For the series diode configuration of

Fig. 2.16 , determine V D , V R , and
ID.
 SERIES DIODE CONFIGURATIONS
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Determine V o and I D for the series circuit of Fig. 2.19 .

Determine I D , VD2, and Vo for the

HW1 circuit of Fig. 2.21 .
 PARALLEL AND SERIES–PARALLEL
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CONFIGURATIONS
 Determine Vo , I1 , ID1, and ID2 for the parallel
diode configuration:
 PARALLEL AND SERIES–PARALLEL
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CONFIGURATIONS
 In this example there are two LEDs that can be used as a
polarity detector. Find the resistor R to ensure a current of
20 mA through the “on” diode for the configuration of Fig.
2.30 . Both diodes have an average turn-on voltage of 2 V.

HW2
Replace +8 v
with -8 v
 PARALLEL AND SERIES–PARALLEL
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CONFIGURATIONS
Determine the currents I1 , I2 , and ID2 for the network
 SINUSOIDAL INPUTS HALF-WAVE
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RECTIFICATION
During the positive half cycle of the input
supply, anode is made positive with respect
to cathode so the diode gets forward
biased. These results to flow a current to
the load. And the load current flow is
proportional to the voltage applied.

Positive half waveform

 SINUSOIDAL INPUTS HALF-WAVE
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RECTIFICATION
During the negative half-cycle of the input
sinusoidal wave, anode is made negative
with respect to cathode so the diode gets
reverse-biased. Hence, no current flows to
the load. The circuit becomes open circuit
and no voltage appears across the load.

Negative half waveform

 SINUSOIDAL INPUTS HALF-WAVE
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RECTIFICATION
 SINUSOIDAL INPUTS HALF-WAVE
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RECTIFICATION
Example :
A- Sketch the output v o and determine the dc level of the output for the
network .
B- Repeat part (A) if the ideal diode is replaced by a silicon diode. (HW3)
 SINUSOIDAL INPUTS HALF-WAVE
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RECTIFICATION
 CLIPPERS
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 Definition: Clipper circuits are the circuits that clip off or

removes a portion of an input signal, without causing any
distortion to the remaining part of the waveform. These are
also known as clippers, clipping circuits, limiters, slicers etc…
 Clippers are basically wave shaping circuits that control the
shape of an output waveform. It consists of linear and non-
linear elements but does not contain energy storing elements.
 The half-wave rectifier of an example of the simplest form of
diode clipper.
 CLIPPERS
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 Depending on the orientation of the diode, the positive or

negative region of the applied signal is “clipped” off.
 There are two general categories of clippers:
 series
 parallel.
 The series configuration is defined as one where the diode is in
series with the load.
 the parallel variety has the diode in a branch parallel to the
load.
 CLIPPERS
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 CLIPPERS (Series Positive Clipper circuit)
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• The positive half of the input waveform reverse biases the diode. Thus it acts as an open
switch and all the applied input voltage drops across the diode. Resultantly providing no
output voltage for positive half of the input waveform.

• For the negative half of the input waveform, the diode is in the forward biased state.
Thus it acts as a closed switch causing no any voltage drop at the diode.
 CLIPPERS (Series positive clipper circuit with bias)
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The case of a Positively biased circuit:

• Here in the circuit shown below, we can see that the diode is in forward bias condition
concerning the battery. But positive half of the input waveform puts
the diode in reverse biased condition.

• The diode will conduct until the supply voltage is less than the battery potential. As
battery potential dominates the supply voltage, the signal appears at the positive half of
output waveform. But as the supply voltage exceeds the battery potential, the diode is
now reverse biased. Resultantly no further current will flow through the diode.

• For the negative half cycle of the input waveform, the diode is forward biased
concerning both supply voltage and battery potential. Hence, we achieve a complete
negative half cycle at the output waveform.
 CLIPPERS (Series positive clipper circuit with bias)
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The case of a Positively biased circuit:

 CLIPPERS (Series Negative Clipper circuit)
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• Here, during the positive half cycle of input waveform, the diode becomes forward
biased, thus ensuring a closed circuit. Due to which current appears across the resistor of
the circuit.

• For negative half of the input waveform, the diode now becomes reverse biased acting as
an open switch. This causes no current to flow through the circuit. Resultantly providing
no output for negative half of the input waveform
 CLIPPERS (Series Negative Clipper circuit)
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Series negative clipper circuits with bias

2. The case of negatively biased circuits:

For the positive half of the input cycle, supply voltage and battery potential both cause
the diode to be in forward biased condition. Thus complete output for the positive half is
achieved in this case.

But in the case of the negative half cycle of the input waveform, the diode is now in
reverse biased condition. At the same time due to battery potential, the diode is forward
biased. So, until the battery potential is greater than the supply voltage, current flows
through the circuit. Hence output is achieved.

But as the supply voltage becomes greater than the battery potential, the diode will now
become reverse biased and hence conduction stops. Ultimately no any signal appears for
that portion of the input waveform at the output.
 CLIPPERS (Series Negative Clipper circuit)
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2. The case of negatively biased circuits:

 CLIPPERS (parallel Negative Clipper circuit)
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Shunt positive Clipper circuits

Now, let’s have a look at the circuit of shunt clippers shown below

Here, the diode is connected in parallel with the load. Hence its working principle is exactly opposite to
that of the shunt clippers. In shunt positive clippers, the output signal is observed only when the diode
is reverse biased.

During the positive half of the input signal, the diode gets forward biased due to which the current flows
through the diode. Hence, due to the parallel combination of diode and load, no current is observed at the
load. Resultantly no output waveform for the positive half is achieved.

On the contrary, during the negative half of the input signal, the diode gets reverse biased. Thus no
current flows through it, and the output current is observed at the load. So, for the negative half of input,
the entire negative half appears at the output.
 CLIPPERS (parallel Negative Clipper circuit)
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Shunt positive Clipper circuits

Now, let’s have a look at the circuit of shunt clippers shown below
 CLIPPERS (parallel Negative Clipper circuit)
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Shunt negative Clippers circuits

For negative shunt clippers, during the positive half of input, the diode gets reverse biased. Thus no •
current flows through it, and the output current is observed at the load.

Hence output signal is achieved for positive half of the input signal. •

During the negative half of the input signal, the diode gets forward biased and hence no load •
current is achieved. Ultimately no output is observed for negative half of the input signal.
 CLIPPERS (parallel positive Clipper circuit)
with bias
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Shunt positive clipper circuits with bias

1. The case of positively biased circuits:

 CLIPPERS (parallel negative Clipper circuit)
with bias
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Shunt negative clipper circuits with bias

2. The case of negatively biased circuits:

 Dual clipper circuits
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• Whenever there is a need to remove a certain portion of both positive and negative half of the signal,
then dual clipper circuits are used.

• During positive half of the input cycle, diode D1 gets forward biased due to supply voltage but is in
reverse bias state due to battery potential VB1. At the same time, diode D2 is in reverse bias due to both
supply voltage and battery potential VB2.

• Until battery voltage exceeds the supply voltage D1 will be in reverse-biased state and D2 is already in
reverse bias condition. Hence signal is achieved at the output. But as the supply voltage exceeds the
battery potential, it causes diode D1 to be forward biased. Hence, no any further signal for the positive
half is achieved in this case.

• During the negative half of the input cycle, diode D1 will be reverse biased due to both supply voltage
and battery potential.
 Dual clipper circuits
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• Conversely, diode D2 will be forward biased by the supply voltage but is reverse biased by the
battery potential VB2.

• Until the supply voltage is less than the battery potential, D2 will be in reverse-biased state and
signal appears at the output in this condition. But, as the supply voltage exceeds the battery
potential, D2 will be forward biased. Hence no any signal is obtained at the output.
 Clamper
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 A clamper is a network constructed of a diode, a

resistor, and a capacitor that shifts a waveform to a
different dc level without changing the appearance
of the applied signal.
 Clamping networks have a capacitor connected
directly from input to output with a resistive element in
parallel with the output signal.
 The diode is also in parallel with the output signal but
may or may not have a series dc supply as an added
element.
 Clamper
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 Clamper
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Determine Vo for the network of Figure for the input

indicated.
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 Zener diodes
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 Zener diodes or “Break down diode ” are basically the same as the
stander PN junction diode but they are specially designed to have a low
and specified reverse breakdown voltage.
In forward bias : Zener diode behaves just like normal diode.
In reverse bias : when reverse voltage reaches a predetermined value, the
Zener diode begins to conduct in reverse direction.

Applications of Zener diode :-

1. Zener Diode Clipping :- diode clipper circuits are also called limiters because
they limit or clip-off the positive or negative part of the input AC signal.
2. Zener Diode Regulator.
 Zener diodes
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Determine the reference voltages

provided by the network of Fig,
which uses a white LED to indicate that
the power is on.
What is the level of current through the
LED and the power delivered by the
supply? How does the power absorbed
by the LED compare to that of the 6-V
Zener diode?
(The white LED will have a drop of
about 4 V across it)
 Zener diodes
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Finally, the 4 V across the white LED will leave a

voltage of 40 V – 14 V = 26 V across the resistor,
and
 Zener diodes
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Example :- The network of Fig. below is

designed to limit the voltage to 20V
during the positive portion of the applied
voltage and to 0V for a negative portion
of the applied voltage. Check its
operation and plot the waveform of the
voltage across the system for the applied
signal. Assume the system has a very
high input resistance so it will not affect
the behavior of the network.
 Zener diodes - Regulator
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1- Determine the state of the Zener diode by

removing it from the network and
calculating the voltage across the resulting open
circuit.
 Zener diodes - Regulator
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Example :- Solution: Determining V for the regulator

a. For the Zener diode network of Fig.
below, determine , , , and .
b. Repeat part (a) with .

Since V=8.73 V is less than 𝑉 =10 V, the diode is in the

“off” state, as shown on the characteristics of Fig

Zener diode regulator

 Zener diodes - Regulator
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Substituting the open-circuit equivalent

results in the same network

b. Repeat part (a) with .

Since V=12v is greater than = 10v,

the diode is in the “on” state and the
network
 Basic DC Power Supply Circuit
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• A half-wave rectifier is the simplest form of the rectifier and requires only
one diode for the construction of a halfwave rectifier circuit.
• A halfwave rectifier circuit consists of three main components as follows:
• A diode
• A transformer
• A resistive load
• A high AC voltage is applied to the primary side of the step-down
transformer. The obtained secondary low voltage is applied to the diode.
• The diode is forward biased during the positive half cycle of the AC voltage
and reverse biased during the negative half cycle.

A basic block diagram of the complete power supply

 HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION
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Definition: Half wave rectifier is that in which the half cycle of AC

voltage gets converted into pulsating DC voltage. The remaining half
cycle of AC is suppressed by rectifier circuit or the output DC current
for remaining half cycle is zero.
 Full Bridge Rectifier
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• Definition: Bridge rectifier is formed by connecting four diodes in the form of a

Wheatstone bridge. It also provides full wave rectification. During the first half of
AC cycle, two diodes are forward biased and during the second half of AC cycle,
the other two diodes become forward biased.
• In this way, the rectifier provides DC output during positive AC cycle as well as
during negative AC cycle.

• It consists of a step-down transformer, four diodes connected in the form of a

bridge. Two of the four diodes are connected diagonally and connected to the
secondary windings of the transformer and the other two diodes are connected
across the load resistor.
 Full Bridge Rectifier
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 Full Bridge Rectifier
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When the AC signal is applied to bridge rectifier the step-down transformer converts the high voltage
AC signal into low voltage AC signal. The AC signal is applied to the primary winding of the
transformer and through the mutual induction it is applied to secondary windings of the transformer.

1) Diodes operation during Positive Half of AC

• When positive half of AC signal is applied to bridge rectifier, the top of the secondary winding of
the transformer is positive and bottom of the secondary winding is negative. Thus, in this
condition the anode terminal of diode D1 is positive and the cathode terminal of diode D3 is
negative.

• Therefore, diode D1 and diode D3 will be forward biased during positive half or first half of AC
cycle. And diode D2 and diode D4 will be reversed biased because cathode terminal of diode D4
is connected to the terminal having positive voltage and anode terminal of diode D2 is connected
to positive voltage.
 Full Bridge Rectifier
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 Full Bridge Rectifier
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2) Diodes operation during Negative Half of AC

• When negative cycle or second half of AC signal approaches bridge rectifier, the top of the
secondary winding of a transformer is negative while the bottom half of secondary winding of the
transformer is positive. Thus, in this situation, the anode terminal of diode D1 is negative while
cathode terminal of D3 is positive. This makes the diode D1 and D3 to operate in reversed biased
condition.

• During the negative half cycle of AC signal, the cathode terminal of diode D4 is negative and the
anode terminal of diode D2 is positive. Thus, diode D4 and diode D2 are forward biased during
the negative half of AC. While during this negative half cycle the anode terminal of diode D1 is
negative and the cathode terminal of diode D3 is positive, this makes the diode D1 and D3
reverse biased.

Thus, the bridge rectifier conducts for both half of AC input signal i.e. for positive half as well as
negative half. The direction of current flowing through load resistor remains same for positive half of
AC cycle as well as for negative half of AC cycle.
 Full Bridge Rectifier
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 Full Bridge Rectifier
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Half wave rectification

Full wave rectification

 Full Bridge Rectifier (Center -Tapped Transformer)
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 Full Bridge Rectifier (Center -Tapped Transformer)
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A- Determine the output waveform for the network of Fig.

and calculate the output dc level.
B- repeat part (A) for Si diodes (HW4)
 H.W
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HW5: Determine Vo , I1 , ID1, and ID2 for the parallel diode configuration of Figure below