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Difference Between Diode and Transistor

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186 views3 pages

Difference Between Diode and Transistor

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dchouhan72004
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Difference between Diode and Transistor

Differences Diodes Transistor

Both diodes and transistors are types of semiconductor devices that find a wide range of applications in
different electronic circuits such as clippers, clampers, oscillators, rectifiers and amplifiers, etc. Go through
this article to get an overview of how diodes and transistors function and how they are different from each
other.

What is a Diode?
A diode is a semiconductor switching device which is constructed by combining two layers of N-type and
P-type semiconductor materials. For this reason, a diode is also called as PN junction diode. The circuit
symbol of the diode is shown in Figure-1.

A diode has only one PN-junction and two terminals viz. anode (positive terminal of the diode) and
cathode (negative terminal). There are two modes of operation of diode, i.e. forward bias and reverse bias.

Forward biasing of diode means the anode is connected to positive terminal of battery and cathode to
the negative terminal battery and in the forward biased mode, the diode acts as a closed switch.
While in the reverse biased mode, the anode is connected to the negative terminal and cathode is
connected to the positive terminal of source. In the reverse bias mode, the diode works an open
switch.

Therefore, a diode is a unidirectional semiconductor switch which allows current only in forward direction
and blocks in the current in the reverse direction. Thus, it is widely used in rectification, i.e., for the
conversion of AC into DC.

What is a Transistor?
A transistor is also a semiconductor switching device consists of three layers of P-type and N-type
semiconductor materials. The transistor has two PN junctions and three terminals named emitter, base
and collector. The symbolic representation of the transistor is shown in the figure-2.
A transistor is formed by sandwiching either a P-type semiconductor between two N-type semiconductors
or an N-type semiconductor between two P-type semiconductors. Thus, based on the construction, the
transistors are of following two types −

NPN Transistor
PNP Transistor

A transistor is widely used in the different electronic circuits as amplifier and digital switch etc.

Difference between Diode and Transistor


The following table compares and contrasts the various features of diodes and transistors −

Point of Diode Transistor


Difference

A diode is two terminal A transistor is three terminal semiconductor


semiconductor switching device which is capable of switching and
Definition
device which allows current amplifying the signals.
flow only in one direction.

A diode is constructed by A transistor is constructed by sandwiching either


joining a P-type a P-type semiconductor between two N-type
Construction semiconductor material semiconductors or an N-type semiconductor
with an N-type between two P-type semiconductors.
semiconductor material.

Number of Diode has one PN junction. Transistor has two PN junctions.


PN junctions

Diode has two terminals Transistor has three terminals, i.e. emitter, base
Terminals
named anode and cathode. and collector.

There are various types of Transistor are mainly of two types: BJT (Bipolar
diodes such as signal Junction Transistors) and FET (Field Effect
Types
diode, power diode, Zener Transistors).
diode, LED, etc.

There is only one depletion There are two depletion regions in a transistor.
Depletion
region in a diode at the PN
region
junction.
Point of Diode Transistor
Difference

Type of The diode is a passive Transistor is an active circuit element as it can


element circuit element. provide amplification in the circuit.

Diode can operate only as a Transistor can be operated as switch as well as


Modes of switch. Where closed amplifier. In active region, it operates as an
operation switch in forward bias and amplifier. While in saturation region as closed
open switch in reverse bias. switch and in cut-off region as open switch.

A diode performs A transistor performs controlled switching. Where


Switching
uncontrolled switching. the controlling is provided by base signal.

Diode finds application in Transistors are used as electronic switches,


electronic circuits such as amplifiers, oscillators, regulators, etc.
Applications clipping, clamping,
rectifiers, voltage
multipliers, etc.

Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that there are various differences between a diode and a
transistor. Hence, it is important to have a good understanding of the way diodes and transistors function
in order to be able to use either of them as per the exact requirements.

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