Diodes: What Are They & How Can They be Used?

Do you know what a diode is? If you do any kind of electrical work either professionally or as a hobby then it is important to have a strong knowledge of what a diode is and how it can be used to control current. Keep reading for all that you need to know about diodes and how you can use them.

What Are Diodes?

So, what exactly are diodes? Essentially, a diode is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction but will restrict it from flowing back in the other direction. This makes diodes comparable to an electrical valve and it allows you to decide which way current will flow through a circuit. When a diode allows current flow, it is forward-biased while a reverse-biased diode does not allow current to flow and it is an insulator.

What They Can Be Used For

There are many ways that diodes are used in everyday life. The most common function of a diode is rectifying a voltage, which involves changing the current from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). This makes diodes common in electric switches and surge protectors.

Diodes are also commonly used in solar panels as a way to prevent power loss. Solar panels can lose power in the shade but bypass diodes can prevent this by providing a low resistance path. There are many other uses too, including reversing current protection, regulating voltage and isolating signals from a supply.

Types of Diodes

As you might imagine, there are many different types of diode that can be used. A few of the main types to be aware of include:

Light-emitting diode: Light is produced with this type of diode when an electric current passes through.

Laser diode: A diode that produces coherent light and is commonly used in CD drives, DVDs and laser devices.

Avalanche diode: A reverse bias diode that sees the breakdown of avalanche take place when a voltage drop is constant and independent of current – this helps to protect the circuit.

Zener diode: Zener diodes are used widely in power supplies to provide a reference voltage and are operated in reverse bias and will break down on the arrival of a certain voltage.

Schottky diode: Used for a low turn-on voltage, quick recovery time and low-loss energy at higher frequencies. They are used commonly in rectifier applications.

Photodiode: Used to detect light and often in solar cells and photometers. They can detect a small amount of current flow resulting from light and are a reverse bias diode.

PN Junction diode: Used for the rectification process and include two layers of semiconductors. They allow the current to flow in the forward direction and block current in the reverse direction.

Hopefully, this article will be informative and teach you a thing or two about diodes.