What does a diode do and how does it work?
The most common function of a diode is to allow an electric current to pass in one direction (called the diode’s forward direction), while blocking it in the opposite direction (the reverse direction). Forms of rectifiers, diodes can be used for such tasks as extracting modulation from radio signals in radio receivers.
What do diodes protect against?
A protection diode used in any circuit that allows the flow of current in the forward direction, because the current will not flow in the reverse direction. It protects the components which are responsive to the flow of current through them in the wrong direction.
How is a protection diode connected to a circuit?
Because a diode only allows current to flow in one direction in a circuit but not the other, it can protect components in a circuit that are sensitive to current that flows through them in the wrong direction. A protection diode is connected in a circuit by placing the diode in series with the circuitry that is to be protected.
Why do you need a fool’s diode in a circuit?
Using a fool’s diode, or protection diode, can block or bypass current from the reversed voltages and spare these sensitive components in a device. Protective measures like this can be crucial in the event of human error when hooking up a circuit’s positive and negative leads.
What happens when a diode is placed in parallel with a component?
When a diode is placed in parallel with the component you want protected reverse biasd, if current flows through the circuit in reverse, the current flows through the diode, bypassing the motor. With large amounts of current, some current may still pass through the motor, but it will be split between the diode and the motor.
Why are bias voltages important in silicon diodes?
Because of the barrier potential, a voltage of a certain amplitude and polarity is necessary for conduction (the 0.7 V for silicon). These voltages are the bias voltages. Bias voltages control the width of the depletion region. This controls the resistance of the P-N junction, and the amount of current that can pass through the diode.