Principles of a Zener Diode Demo
Tektronix - Zener Diode - 3.9v
Regular Diodes
Regular Diode and Reference Trace
Function Generator & LED

 

Code Number: 5M10.50

Demo Title: Principles of a Diode

Condition: Good

Principle: Diode functions

Area of Study: Electricity & Magnetism

Equipment: 

Oscilloscope (x-y plot), 11 MHz generator, Silicon signal diode, Breakdown diode (low voltage), 1000 Ohm resistor (reference), Resistor box, Diodes (Assorted voltages and Kinds), Circuit board, Variac, 6 volt transformer, 1 ohm 10 watt resistor, Bi-color LED on block.

Procedure:

Hook the positive output of the generator to one end of the diode, the other end of the diode to one end of the resistor, the other end of the resistor to the negative output of the generator.  Now you have you basic circuit.  Measure across the diode and the resistor as shown using the resistor as a reference.  The diode will allow voltage to pass through the circuit when inserted one way and will prevent it or decrease it drastically when inserted the other.

Other types of diodes may be inserted into the circuit to show their unique characteristics.

Connect the bi-color LED to the wave generator.  At very low frequencies the alternating AC sine wave will be shown visibly.

A resistor box may be inserted in place of the single resistor shown for circuits using the wave generator.

For circuits using the Variac you must use a power resistor.

References:

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