IT1916

Laboratory Exercise
Diodes – Forward and Reverse Bias
Objectives:

At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:

 Use multimeters when measuring voltages and observe the volt-ampere characteristics of a diode; and
 Apply the characteristics of forward and reverse bias to diodes.

Materials:
Precaution:
 Breadboard
 Solid copper wire intended for breadboard
 Power supply or 9v battery with holder
 1 pc. 5kΩ Potentiometer
 2 pcs. 1kΩ resistors, ¼ watt
 1 pc. 1N4001
 1 pc. 1N4148
 1 pc. 1N60
 Multimeter (digital)
 Wire cutter or stripper

Basic Principles:

Diodes have polarity, which is determined by an anode (positive lead) and cathode (negative lead). Most diodes allow
current to flow only when positive voltage is applied to the anode. With no externally applied potential, electrons from
the N-type material will cross into the P-type region and fill some of the vacant holes. This action will result in the
production of a region at either side of the junction in which there are no free charge carriers.

Procedures:

A. Simple Diode Biasing

1. Apply the given circuit schematics in a breadboard and answer the following questions.

Is the LED light illuminating?

_ _
How come?
_ _
What type of bias is the diode in the figure?
_ _

2. Change the polarity of the power source and answer the

following questions.

Is the LED light illuminating?

_ _
How come?
_ _
What type of bias is the diode in the figure?
_ _

01 Laboratory Exercise *Property of

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 IT1916

B. Anode to Cathode Volt-Ampere Characteristics of an Ordinary Rectifier Diode

1. Set the circuit (on the right) and the

voltage to 5 V. Connect the given circuit
with the voltage V initially adjusted to 0
V.
2. Slowly adjust the potentiometer to set the
voltage V1 to different levels specified in
Table 1. Measure the anode to cathode
voltage and current of the diodes for each
setting. Observe and record the results.

(54 items x 1 point)

1N4001 1N4148 1N60

Voltage Anode to Anode to Anode to Anode to Anode to Anode to
Input (𝑣) Cathode Cathode Cathode Cathode Cathode Cathode
Voltage (𝑣𝐷) Current (𝒊𝒊𝐷 ) Voltage (𝑣𝐷) Current (𝒊𝒊𝐷 ) Voltage (𝑣𝐷) Current (𝒊𝒊𝐷 )
0.2𝑣
0.5𝑣
0.7𝑣
1.0𝑣
1.2𝑣
1.5𝑣
3.0𝑣
4.0𝑣
5.0𝑣

Table 1. Forward bias voltage and current for diodes 1N4001, 1N4148, and 1N60

3. Reverse the connection of the diode and set the voltage output to 9𝑣.
4. Set the voltage to different voltage levels by slowly adjusting the 5𝑘Ω potentiometer.
5. Measure the anode to cathode voltage and current of the diode for each setting and record your results.

(54 items x 1 point)

1N4001 1N4148 1N60
Voltage Anode to Anode to Anode to Anode to Anode to Anode to
Input (𝑣) Cathode Cathode Cathode Cathode Cathode Cathode
Voltage (𝑣𝐷) Current (𝒊𝒊𝐷 ) Voltage (𝑣𝐷) Current (𝒊𝒊𝐷 ) Voltage (𝑣𝐷) Current (𝒊𝒊𝐷 )
0.2𝑣
0.5𝑣
0.7𝑣
1.0𝑣
1.2𝑣
1.5𝑣
3.0𝑣
4.0𝑣
5.0𝑣

Table 2. Reverse bias voltage and current for diodes 1N4001, 1N4148, and 1N60

01 Laboratory Exercise *Property of

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 IT1916

6. Afterward, plot the volt-ampere characteristics curve of a diode using the obtained data from Table 1
and Table 2.

Criteria/Scoring Indicator Score

Coordinate Plotting Correct data plotting of the results. 5
Total 5

Observation and Conclusion:

Guide questions:
1. What have you observed in the different diodes of the circuit schema?
2. What do you think has caused the diode into forward bias and reverse bias?

RUBRIC FOR GRADING:

Criteria/Scoring Indicator Score
Content Provided supporting details and factual scenarios. 5
Organization of Ideas Expressed clear points and arranged ideas. 5
Total 10

01 Laboratory Exercise *Property of

STI