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    Diode Test Process

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    Santanu Mondal
    To test diodes using a multimeter, it is best to use the Diode Test mode. This mode will produce a small voltage to forward bias the diode and display the voltage drop, which should be between 0.5-0.8V for silicon diodes. Reversing the leads should display OL. A shorted diode will show the same reading both ways, while an open diode will display OL both ways. Resistance mode can also test diodes but does not always clearly indicate good or bad, and should only be used if Diode Test mode is unavailable.

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    Diode Test Process

    Uploaded by

    Santanu Mondal
    182 views4 pages
    To test diodes using a multimeter, it is best to use the Diode Test mode. This mode will produce a small voltage to forward bias the diode and display the voltage drop, which should be between 0.5-0.8V for silicon diodes. Reversing the leads should display OL. A shorted diode will show the same reading both ways, while an open diode will display OL both ways. Resistance mode can also test diodes but does not always clearly indicate good or bad, and should only be used if Diode Test mode is unavailable.

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    Diode Test process

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    Diode Test process

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    To test diodes using a multimeter, it is best to use the Diode Test mode. This mode will produce a small voltage to forward bias the diode and display the voltage drop, which should be between 0.5-0.8V for silicon diodes. Reversing the leads should display OL. A shorted diode will show the same reading both ways, while an open diode will display OL both ways. Resistance mode can also test diodes but does not always clearly indicate good or bad, and should only be used if Diode Test mode is unavailable.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    182 views4 pages

    Diode Test Process

    Uploaded by

    Santanu Mondal
    To test diodes using a multimeter, it is best to use the Diode Test mode. This mode will produce a small voltage to forward bias the diode and display the voltage drop, which should be between 0.5-0.8V for silicon diodes. Reversing the leads should display OL. A shorted diode will show the same reading both ways, while an open diode will display OL both ways. Resistance mode can also test diodes but does not always clearly indicate good or bad, and should only be used if Diode Test mode is unavailable.

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    Steps for using a multimeter in the Diode Test mode.

    How to test diodes


    Digital multimeters can test diodes using one of two methods:

    1. Diode Test mode: almost always the best approach.


    2. Resistance mode: typically used only if a multimeter is not equipped with a Diode Test
    mode.

    Note: In some cases it may be necessary to remove one end of the diode from the circuit in order
    to test the diode.
    Things to know about the Resistance mode when testing diodes:

     Does not always indicate whether a diode is good or bad.


     Should not be taken when a diode is connected in a circuit since it can produce a false
    reading.
     CAN be used to verify a diode is bad in a specific application after a Diode Test indicates a
    diode is bad.

    A diode is best tested by measuring the voltage drop across the diode when it is forward-biased. A
    forward-biased diode acts as a closed switch, permitting current to flow.
    A multimeter’s Diode Test mode produces a small voltage between test leads. The multimeter
    then displays the voltage drop when the test leads are connected across a diode when forward-
    biased. The Diode Test procedure is conducted as follows:

    1. Make certain a) all power to the circuit is OFF and b) no voltage exists at the diode. Voltage
    may be present in the circuit due to charged capacitors. If so, the capacitors need to be
    discharged. Set the multimeter to measure ac or dc voltage as required.
    2. Turn the dial (rotary switch) to Diode Test mode ( ). It may share a space on the dial
    with another function.
    3. Connect the test leads to the diode. Record the measurement displayed.
    4. Reverse the test leads. Record the measurement displayed.

    Diode test analysis


     A good forward-based diode displays a voltage drop ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 volts for the
    most commonly used silicon diodes. Some germanium diodes have a voltage drop ranging
    from 0.2 to 0.3 V.
     The multimeter displays OL when a good diode is reverse-biased. The OL reading indicates
    the diode is functioning as an open switch.
     A bad (opened) diode does not allow current to flow in either direction. A multimeter will
    display OL in both directions when the diode is opened.
     A shorted diode has the same voltage drop reading (approximately 0.4 V) in both directions.

    A multimeter set to the Resistance mode (Ω) can be used as an additional diode test or, as
    mentioned previously, if a multimeter does not include the Diode Test mode.

    A diode is forward-biased when the positive (red) test lead is on the anode and the negative
    (black) test lead is on the cathode.

     The forward-biased resistance of a good diode should range from 1000 Ω to 10 MΩ.
     The resistance measurement is high when the diode is forward-biased because current
    from the multimeter flows through the diode, causing the high-resistance measurement
    required for testing.

    A diode is reverse-biased when the positive (red) test lead is on the cathode and the negative
    (black) test lead is on the anode.

     The reverse-biased resistance of a good diode displays OL on a multimeter. The diode is


    bad if readings are the same in both directions.
    The resistance mode procedure is conducted as follows:

    1. Make certain a) all power to the circuit is OFF and b) no voltage exists at the diode. Voltage
    may be present in the circuit due to charged capacitors. If so, the capacitors need to be
    discharged. Set the multimeter to measure ac or dc voltage as required.
    2. Turn the dial to Resistance mode (Ω). It may share a space on the dial with another
    function.
    3. Connect the test leads to the diode after it has been removed from the circuit. Record the
    measurement displayed.
    4. Reverse the test leads. Record the measurement displayed.
    5. For best results when using the Resistance mode to test diodes, compare the readings
    taken with a known good diode.

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