12/4/2024

IT101 ELECTRONICS
LEC07 DIODE APPLICATIONS

Dr. Tamer Emara

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LOAD-LINE ANALYSIS

The load line plots all possible

combinations of diode current (ID)
and voltage (VD) for a given circuit.
The maximum ID equals E/R, and
the maximum VD equals E.

The point where the load line and the characteristic curve intersect is the Q-point, which
identifies ID and VD for a particular diode in a given circuit.

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SERIES DIODE CONFIGURATIONS

Forward Bias

Constants
Silicon Diode: VD = 0.7 V
Germanium Diode: VD = 0.3 V

Analysis (for silicon)

VD = 0.7 V (or VD = E if E < 0.7 V)
VR = E – VD
ID = IR = IT = VR / R

SERIES DIODE CONFIGURATIONS

Reverse Bias
Diodes ideally behave as open circuits

Analysis
VD = E
VR = 0 V
ID = 0 A

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PARALLEL DIODE CONFIGURATIONS

V  0.7 V
D
V V  V  0.7 V
D1 D2 o
V  9.3 V
R
E V
I  D  10 V  .7 V  28 mA
R R .33 kΩ
28 mA
I I   14 mA
D1 D2 2

HALF-WAVE RECTIFICATION
ࢂࡼ
ࢂࢇ࢜ࢍ =
࣊

The diode conducts

only when it is
forward biased,
therefore only half
of the AC cycle
passes through the
diode to the output.

The DC output voltage is 0.318Vm, where Vm = the peak AC voltage.

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PIV (PRV)

Because the diode is only forward biased for one-half of the AC cycle, it is
also reverse biased for one-half cycle.
It is important that the reverse breakdown voltage rating of the diode be high enough to
withstand the peak, reverse-biasing AC voltage.
PIV (or PRV) > Vm
Where PIV = Peak inverse voltage
PRV = Peak reverse voltage
Vm = Peak AC voltage

FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION

The rectification process can be

improved by using a full-wave
rectifier circuit.

Full-wave rectification produces a

૛ࢂࡼ
greater DC output: ࢂࢇ࢜ࢍ =
࣊

Half-wave: Vdc = 0.318Vm

Full-wave: Vdc = 0.636Vm

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FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION

Bridge Rectifier
A full-wave rectifier with four
diodes that are connected in a
bridge configuration

VDC = 0.636Vm

FULL-WAVE RECTIFICATION

Center-Tapped Transformer Rectifier

Requires two diodes and a

center-tapped transformer

VDC = 0.636Vm

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SUMMARY OF RECTIFIER CIRCUITS

In the center tapped transformer rectifier circuit, the peak AC
voltage is the transformer secondary voltage to the tap.

Rectifier Ideal VDC Realistic VDC

Half Wave Rectifier VDC= 0.318Vm VDC = 0.318Vm – 0.7

Bridge Rectifier VDC = 0.636Vm VDC = 0.636Vm – 2(0.7 V)

Center-Tapped Transformer
VDC = 0.636Vm VDC = 0.636Vm – 0.7 V
Rectifier

Vm = the peak AC voltage

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DIODE CLIPPERS

The diode in a series clipper

“clips” any voltage that does
not forward bias it:

• A reverse-biasing polarity
• A forward-biasing polarity less
than 0.7 V (for a silicon diode)

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BIASED CLIPPERS

Adding a DC
source in series
with the clipping
diode changes the
effective forward
bias of the diode.

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PARALLEL CLIPPERS

The diode in a parallel

clipper circuit “clips”
any voltage that
forward biases it.

DC biasing can be added in

series with the diode to
change the clipping level.

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SUMMARY OF CLIPPER CIRCUITS

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SUMMARY OF CLIPPER CIRCUITS

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SUMMARY OF CLIPPER CIRCUITS

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CLAMPERS

A diode and capacitor can be

combined to “clamp” an AC signal to a
specific DC level.

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BIASED CLAMPER CIRCUITS

The input signal can be any type

of waveform such as a sine,
square, or triangle wave.

The DC source lets you adjust the DC

camping level.

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SUMMARY OF CLAMPER CIRCUITS

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ZENER DIODES
The Zener is a diode that is
operated in reverse bias at
the Zener Voltage (Vz).
When Vi  VZ
• The Zener is on
• Voltage across the Zener is VZ
• Zener current: IZ = IR – IRL
• The Zener Power: PZ = VZIZ

When Vi < VZ
• The Zener is off
• The Zener acts as an open circuit

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ZENER RESISTOR VALUES

If R is too large, the Zener diode cannot conduct

because IZ < IZK. The minimum current is given
by:
ILmin  IR IZK

The maximum value of VZ

R Lmax 
resistance is: I Lmin

If R is too small, IZ > IZM . The maximum VL V

IL max   Z
allowable current for the circuit is given by: RL RL min

RVZ
The minimum value of resistance is: RL min 
Vi  VZ

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VOLTAGE-MULTIPLIER CIRCUITS

Voltage multiplier circuits use a combination of diodes

and capacitors to step up the output voltage of rectifier
circuits. Three common voltage multipliers are the:

Voltage Doubler
Voltage Tripler
Voltage Quadrupler

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VOLTAGE DOUBLER

This half-wave voltage doubler’s output can be calculated using:

Vout = VC2 = 2Vm

where Vm = peak secondary voltage of the transformer

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VOLTAGE DOUBLER
Positive Half-Cycle D1 conducts
D2 is switched off
Capacitor C1 charges to Vm

Negative Half-Cycle D1 is switched off

D2 conducts
Capacitor C2 charges to Vm

Vout = VC2 = 2Vm

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VOLTAGE TRIPLER AND QUADRUPLER

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PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Rectifier Circuits
Conversions of AC to DC for DC operated circuits
Battery Charging Circuits

Simple Diode Circuits

Protective Circuits against
Overcurrent
Polarity Reversal
Currents caused by an inductive kick in a relay circuit

Zener Circuits
Overvoltage Protection
Setting Reference Voltages

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THANK YOU
Tamer Emara

[email protected]

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