Chapter 2:

Diode Applications
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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Load-Line Analysis

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Example

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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

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Series Diode Configurations

Reverse Bias
Diodes ideally behave as open circuits

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

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Series Diode Configurations
• Exercise:
VD
_
+ D1
1 3
Determine VD, VR and ID 1N4148

R1
2.2kΩ VR
E
8V

Ans :
VD=0.7V, VR=7.3V and ID = 3.32mA

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Series Diode Configurations
• Exercise:
VD
D1
_ +
Determine VD, VR and ID 1 2
1N4148
when diode is reverse
R1
2.2kΩ VR
E
8V

Ans :
VD=8V, VR=0V and ID = 0A

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Series Diode Configurations
• Exercise:
D1 D2
0 1
Determine ID, VD2 and 1N4148 1N4148 2
VOut

VO for the circuit.

V1 R1
20 V 5.6kΩ

Ans :ID=0A, VD=20V and Vout=0V

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Example

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Parallel Configurations

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

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Parallel Configurations

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Half-Wave Rectification

The diode only

conducts 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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Half wave Rectifier

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Half wave Rectifier

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Half-Wave Rectification

• Exercise
a) Sketch the output Vo
and determine the dc
level of the output for
the network.(assume
diode is ideal)
b) Repeat part (a) if
diode is replaced by a
silicon diode.

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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

• PIV = Peak inverse voltage

• PRV = Peak reverse voltage
• Vm = Peak AC voltage

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Full-Wave Rectification

The rectification process can be improved by

using a full-wave rectifier circuit.

Full-wave rectification produces a greater

DC output:

• Half-wave: Vdc = 0.318Vm

• Full-wave: Vdc = 0.636Vm

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Full-Wave Rectification

Bridge Rectifier

• Four diodes are connected in a

bridge configuration
• VDC = 0.636Vm

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Full-Wave Rectification

Center-Tapped Transformer
Rectifier
Requires
• Two diodes
• Center-tapped transformer

VDC = 0.636Vm

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Summary of Rectifier Circuits

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 = peak of the AC voltage.

In the center tapped transformer rectifier circuit, the peak AC voltage

is the transformer secondary voltage to the tap.

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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 bias it.

DC biasing can be added in

series with the diode to change
the clipping level.

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Summary of Clipper Circuits

more…

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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 sine, square,
and triangle waves.

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 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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Example

Solution:

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Example

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Zener Diodes : Vi and R Fixed

Exercise:
• For the zener diode
network below,
determine VL, VR, IZ
and PZ.
• Repeat with RL=3kΩ

Ans: VL=8.73V, VR=7.27V, IZ=0A, PZ=26.7mA

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Zener Resistor Values
If R is too large, the Zener diode cannot conduct because the available amount of
current is less than the minimum current rating, IZK. The minimum current is
given by:
I Lmin  I R  I ZK

The maximum value of resistance is:

VZ
RLmax 
I Lmin

If R is too small, the Zener current exceeds the maximum current

rating, IZM . The maximum current for the circuit is given by:
VL V
I L max 
 Z
RL RL min
The minimum value of resistance is:
RVZ
RL min 
Vi  VZ

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
Zener Diodes : Fixed Vi, Variable RL
Exercise
• For the network below. Determine the range of RL and
IL that will result in VRL being maintain at 10V.

Ans : RL=250Ω to 1.25kΩ and IL=8mA to 40mA

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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Zener diode : Fixed RL, Variable Vi

• Vi must be large to turn Zener Diode on.

Vi min determined by
Vi min 
 RL  R 
VZ
RL

Max value of Vi is limited by max Zener current

IR max  I ZM  I L

Max Vi determined by
Vimax  IR max R  VZ

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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Zener Diode : Fixed RL, Variable Vi

• Exercise
• Determine the range of values of Vi that will maintain the
zener diode of figure below to turn on.

Ans : Vimin=23.67V and Vimax = 36.87

Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 10/e Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved.
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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