Scribd
Upload
184 views4 pages

Activity 5

Uploaded by

lucky20080802
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
184 views4 pages

Activity 5

Uploaded by

lucky20080802
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

ACTIVITY B2

AIM: -
Use of multimeter to see the unidirectional flow of current in case of a diode and an LED and check
whether a given electronic component (e.g., diode) is in working order.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED:-


A multimeter, a diode, LED, sand paper.

THEORY: -
1. To check the unidirectional flow of current through a junction diode/LED. When a junction
diode/LED is forward biased, a substantial current (≈ few mA) will flow through it. When a
junction diode/LED is reverse biased, a negligible current (≈ few 𝜇𝐴) will flow through it.
2. To check whether a diode is in working order. A junction diode offers a low resistance (a few Ω
to kΩ ) during forward biasing and it offers a very high resistance (≈ MΩ) during reverse
biasing. Thus the working of a junction diode can be examined by measuring its resistance in
forward and reverse biased conditions.

WORKING DIAGRAM: -

To check unidirectional flow of current through a junction diode/LED


1. As shown in Fig. 2, connect the junction diode, a resistance box, a 6 V variable dc
battery and a plug key 𝐾 in series. Adjust the battery to minimum voltage.
2. Set multimeter in current measuring mode at a suitable range of mA (starting from high
current range). Take out a suitable resistance 𝑅 from the resistance box so that the
current flows within the range chosen. Insert the plug in the key 𝐾 and note the value of
current flowing in the circuit.
3. Increase the forward bias in steps of 0.2 V. Note the current in each case. Beyond a
certain applied voltage, current increases rapidly with the increase in forward bias.
4. Reverse the terminals of the junction diode so that its 𝑝-end is at lower potential and 𝑛-
end is at higher potential. Observe the current in multimeter on 𝜇A scale. Negligible
current reading will indicate the unidirectional feature of the diode. Increase in reverse
bias will show negligible change in reverse current.
5. Replace the diode by LED and repeat steps 1 to 4 . It will be seen that LED allows the
flow of current only when it is forward biased. LED starts glowing when the applied
voltage exceeds 1.2 V. Initially, it glows faintly. Its glow becomes brighter and brighter
as the voltage is gradually increased.
To check whether the junction diode is in working order or not
6. Set the multimeter in resistance measuring mode.
7. Touch the two probes of the multimeter to the two end terminals of the junction diode.
Note the diode resistance. Reverse the diode connections. Again note the diode
resistance. If the diode resistance islow in one case and high in the other case or vice
versa, then the diode is in working order.
8. If the diode resistance is low both during forward and reverse biasings, then the diode is
short-circuited. If the diode resistance is very high both during forward and reverse
biasings, then the diode junction is discontinuous oropen. In both of these situations the
diode is not in working order. Record the observations in a tabular form.

OBSERVATIONS: -
A. For unidirectional flow of current through the junction diode.
Table B2: When the junction diode is connected in forward bias
Forward bias voltage Forward current
S.No.
(V) (mA)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Table B3 : When the junction diode is connected in reverse bias


Reverse bias voltage Reverse current
S.No.
(V) (𝜇A)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B. For unidirectional flow of current through the LED

Table B4 : When the LED is connected in forward bias


Forward bias voltage Forward current
S.No.
(V) (ma)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Table B5 : When the LED is connected in reverse bias


Reverse bias voltage Reverse current
S.No.
(V) (𝜇A)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

For working condition of the junction diode: -


Table B6 : Measurement of the diode resistance with multimeter
Resistance
S.No. Biasing condition of the diode Nature of resistance
(Ω)
Low/Very high
1. Forward biasing
Low/Very high
2. Reverse biasing

RESULT: -
1. The unidirectional feature of a junction diode and LED has been established, both
conduct only when forward biased and not when reverse biased.
2. The given junction diode is in working order as it offers low resistance in forward biasing
and high resistance in reverse biasing/The given junction diode is not in working order
as it offers low (or high) resistance both during forward and reverse biasing.
PRECAUTIONS: -
1. For measuring resistance of any component, its leads should be cleaned properly with a
sand paper.
2. For measuring current and resistance, appropriate selection of function switch and
range switch should be made.
3. The polarity probe leads should be connected to the proper polarities for measurements
in dc circuits.
4. While measuring resistance of any component, avoid direct touching of the metallic
ends of the multimeter leads. Body resistance in parallel with the component resistance
will affect the resistance measurement.
5. Each time when we select a resistance scale of different range, we should set the
pointer to zero using 'zero Adj. knob'.

You might also like