Scribd
Upload
9 views5 pages

Experiment 02 Final

The document outlines a procedure for testing diodes using a digital multimeter (DMM) in both diode checking mode and ohmmeter mode. It explains how to interpret the readings for functioning, defective open, and shorted diodes. The document emphasizes the importance of systematic troubleshooting in electronics and provides specific voltage and resistance values to expect during testing.

Uploaded by

smdrocky2809
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
9 views5 pages

Experiment 02 Final

The document outlines a procedure for testing diodes using a digital multimeter (DMM) in both diode checking mode and ohmmeter mode. It explains how to interpret the readings for functioning, defective open, and shorted diodes. The document emphasizes the importance of systematic troubleshooting in electronics and provides specific voltage and resistance values to expect during testing.

Uploaded by

smdrocky2809
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

1

Experiment No: 02
Experiment Name: Testing of a diode using digital multimeter and
Ohmmeter.

Troubleshooting a circuit requires sound knowledge of electronics and the way circuit works.
You might encounter many circuits which do not work and you have to find the possible
cause. Systematic step-by-step procedure needs to be followed while troubleshooting the
circuit. If the circuit involves the usage of diode, then you might need to make sure whether
the diode is properly functioning or not. In this section we shall see how we can test a diode.

We can check the diode using digital multimeter (DMM). Two modes of DMM which can be
used to check the diode are

1. Diode checking mode


2. Ohmmeter mode

Diode checking mode


The image on the right shows a typical digital multimeter. There is a built-in functionality
by which we can test a diode. The mode is called diode checking mode. Diode checking
mode can be selected by rotating the central knob in the direction of diode symbol.

Before we see how to test a diode, let us briefly understand what goes on inside the
multimeter when the diode testing mode is selected. When diode testing mode is selected, the
digital multimeter supplies a constant current of approx 2 mA between its test leads. The
direction of current is from red lead to black lead. The two test leads are made to be in
2

contact with the two terminals of the diode. Hence current will flow through the diode and
there occurs some voltage drop across the diode. The multimeter displays the voltage drop
across the diode. We can decide whether the diode is working or not based on the readings
displayed by DMM.

When the diode is properly working: Let us assume that the diode under test is properly
functioning. If we connect the red (positive) lead with the anode and black (negative) lead
with the cathode as shown in the figure below, can u guess the output shown by multimeter?

When the red lead is connected to anode and the black lead is connected to cathode, the
internal constant current source from the multimeter forward biases the diode and current
starts to flow through the diode. The voltage drop across the forward biased diode is typically
0.7 V for Si diodes. If the diode is working perfectly, the multimeter will show voltage
between 0.5 V and 0.9 V. Typical value is around 0.7 V. This is indicated in the above figure.

Now connect the red lead (positive) with cathode and black lead (negative) with anode as
shown in the figure below.
3

Such a connection reverse biases the diode. We know that no current flows through the diode
when reverse bias is applied. Hence if the diode is working properly, the multimeter will
show OL indicating the equivalence of open circuit. Some multimeter may show the battery
voltage of the battery inside the DMM. This indicates that all the voltage of the battery drops
across the diode due to its very high resistance.

When the diode is defective: When the diode is defective, there are two possibilities.
Defective diodes can be either of the following.
1. Defective open diode- The diode behaves as open in both forward and reverse bias.
2. Defective short diode- The diode behaves as short in both forward and reverse bias.

Consider the situation when the diode has failed open. In such a condition, the multimeter
will show OL in both forward and reverse bias. This is due to the fact that the current flowing
through the diode is zero and it is an open circuit equivalent.
4

When the diode is shorted, the meter will indicate 0 V as there will be no voltage drop across
the diode. This is indicated in the figure below. Sometimes the diode behaves as resistive
rather than a pure short. In such a case, the multimeter shows some nonzero voltage
indicating that there is some voltage drop across the diode.
5

Ohmmeter mode
The resistance of diode in forward bias configuration is very less and the resistance of diode
in reverse bias configuration is very high. This makes it possible to test the diode using
ohmmeter mode of digital multimeter. Let us see what results are to be expected when the
diode is working perfectly. If we connect the red lead with the anode and black lead with the
cathode of diode, then relatively low resistance will be displayed by the diode. Typical value
is from few hundred ohms to few thousand ohms. The static resistance of diode depends on
the value of current and voltage at a point on the V-I curve. Hence the resistance displayed by
the multimeter is a function of current supplied by the multimeter or the battery voltage. On
the other hand, if we connect the red lead with the cathode and black lead with the anode,
then relatively high resistance is will be displayed by the multimeter. Typical value is around
few mega-ohms.

When the diode has failed open, then multimeter will display OL indicating open circuit
equivalent. On the other hand, if the diode is shorted, the multimeter will display very low
value of resistance.

You might also like