Electrical & Electronics Engineering Institute, Paola Malta

Tutorial for P1 & P2 Assessment (Unit 35)

P1: Describe the function of diodes in electronic circuits

P2: Describe the operation of transistors in electronic circuits

1. A simple remote control:

A
D1
Y

X R1 R2
B
D2
Z

3V rms - 50Hz D3 D4

(a). What is the function of diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4 in the circuit above.

(b). Sketch the waveforms you would expect at points X, Y and Z. Mark the voltage and
time you would expect to get, assuming the diodes are silicon

(c). Which one of diodes D3 and D4 would light up when switch A is closed, and which
one will light up when switch B is closed.

(d). Will the operation of D3 and D4 still be the same if you replace the supply with a DC
supply of 3V?

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2. Transistor Lamp Switching circuit:

RL1
R1 D1 (relay)
10k 1N4148
BAT1
12V

Q1
BC140
L1
12V lamp

SW1
SW-SPST

(a). What would be the condition of diode D1 when relay RL1 is energized? State the
voltage drop across the diode in this case

(b). What happens to diode D1 when the current through relay RL1 coil is switched off?
State the voltage drop across the diode at the instant current through the relay is switched
off

(c). What is the name given to diode D1 in this circuit, in relation to the function it is
doing?

(d). Name the type of transistor that is used in this circuit?

(e). Explain what happens to transistor Q1, relay RL1, and lamp L1 during the following
conditions:
(i). Switch S1 is closed
(ii). Switch S1 is open

(f). What is should be the approximate power dissipated by transistor Q1 when:

(i). Switch S1 is closed
(ii). Switch S1 is open

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3. Simple transistor amplifier:

R3
470R

R2
2k2

R1 C2
D1 B1
BZX284C9V1 12V
470k
22uF

C1 Q1
2N3904 AC Vout
22uF
AC Vin

(a). Explain briefly the function of diode D1 in this circuit. What is the type of diode
called? Give a name to the function it is doing in the circuit. State what is the function of
R3 in relation to diode D1

(b). What is the function of R1 in this circuit?

(c). State the name of the configuration in which the transistor is connected.

(d). What is the type of transistor used here?

(e). Explain the operation of the transistor in this circuit

(f). Assuming that the input is a sine wave of 1KHz of 20mV peak to peak amplitude and
that the circuit has a gain of 100, sketch the waveforms you would expect at Vin and
Vout.

(g). Will diode D1 still do the same function if the supply is lowered to 8V? Explain
briefly why.

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4. Simple transistor amplifier (2)

FUSE
20mA

R2 R1
720k 3k3
C2
D1 B1
9V
BZX85C12
22uF
C1 Q1
BC140
AC Vout
22uF
AC Vin D2
1N4148

(a). What is the Zener breakdown voltage of diode D1

(b). What will occur if the battery is replaced by a 15V battery.

(c). In 2 words, explain the function of D1 in this circuit.

(d). Describe briefly a disadvantage this amplifier has when compared to the circuit of
question 3.

(e). What occurs when a sine wave input signal of 1V peak to peak is applied to AC Vin.

(f). State in your own words what special function Diode D2 is doing in this circuit.

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5. A simple continuity tester:

R2
R1 RL1
470R
10k D2
12V
1N4148
B1
D1 12V

BUZ1

Test probes Q1
BC140 BUZZER

(a). Explain the operation of transistor Q1 when:

(i). The connection you are testing is good (i.e. There is continuity)

(ii). The connection you are testing is open circuit

(b). Explain briefly the purpose of diodes D1 and D2 in this circuit.

(c). In which mode is the transistor Q1 used in this circuit.

(d). Suggest what measure you should do if the buzzer is rated at 6Volts 2 mAmps

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6. FET transistor amplifier:

FUSE 1
100mA

R2
6k8
C2
B C
0.22uF BAT1
C1 Q1 D1 12V
A MPF102 BZX55C15

0.22uF
Vout
R1
Vin 1.5M
R3 C3
1k 220uF

(a). What happens to diode D1 when the battery is connected as shown in the figure?
What should be the voltage drop on the diode in this case?

(b). What happens to the circuit should the following conditions occur:
(i). Connections of the batteries are reversed
(ii). A similar battery is connected in series with Battery BAT1

(c). State two functions performed by diode D1 in the circuit

(d). Explain how and why the dc voltage at point B becomes approximately 6V when no
signal is applied to point A

(e). Explain what happens in the circuit should the ambient temperature rises excessively

(f). Explain what happens when an ac sine wave signal is applied between point A and
Ground. Sketch the waveforms ate points A, B and C if the ac voltage applied is a sine
wave of 100mV peak to peak and 1KHz frequency. Assume that the circuit has a linear
voltage gain of 20. Mark the waveforms with peak to peak amplitudes, 0V lines and
periodic time. Show all the dc values that could be present on the waveforms

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7. Transistor amplifier (3)

FU1
100mA

R1 R3
33k 8k2
C2
B C

C1
100uF B1
Q1 12V
A BC237 D1
1N4001
100uF
ac Vout
ac Vin
R2 R4 C3
22k 5k6
220uF

(a). Explain the operation of transistor Q1 in the circuit, giving special attention to
resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4.

(b). What is the function of the capacitors in the circuit.

(c). Calculate the approximate dc operating point of the transistor (i.e. The dc voltage at
point B when the transistor is in the quiescent state. Assume the transistor is silicon and
that the value if Ic is equal to Ie)

(d). Assume that the circuit has a voltage gain of 100, draw the waveforms you should get
at points A, B and C when a sine wave of 1.5 kHz 20mV p to p amplitude is applied to
point A.

(e). Compare and state the difference between this amplifier circuit and the amplifier
circuits if questions 2. and 3.

(f). What will occur if the battery connections are reversed? Give a name which would
explain the function of D1 in the circuit.

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8. Transistor Switching Circuit (2):

D2

1N4001

S1 R3
10k

R4 Q2
2N3904 BAT1
10k
5V
R2 Q1
2N3904
10k
R5
220R
R1
10k

D1

(a). Explain what happens to diode D2 when the battery is connected as shown in the
figure above

(b). State the approximate voltage drop on D2 if:

(i). D2 is made of silicon
(ii). D2 is made of Germanium

(c). What would happen to the circuit should Battery connections be reversed? Hence
state the function of diode D2 in the circuit

(d). What types of transistors are used in the circuit above?

(e). Explain the operation of transistors Q1 and Q2 when:

(i). Switch S1 is open
(ii). Switch S1 is closed
(iii). Battery connections are reversed and switch S1 is closed

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9. Transistor amplifier circuit (4):

+9V

D3

R3
27k
C2 R4
10k
100nF

C1 Q1
2N3819

D1
100nF BZX284C2V4
ac Vout
ac Vin D2
R1 R2 C3 BZX284C2V4
10M 6k2
220uF

(a). What is the type of transistor used in this circuit?

(b). An ac sine wave is applied to Vin. Explain the operation of the transistor in such a
case. What would be the difference between the waveform applied to Vin and the
waveform obtained at Vout.

(c). The circuit has a voltage gain of 90 and a signal of 80 mV peak to peak is applied to
Vin. Explain briefly what will be the effect on Vout in such a case. Which components
are causing this effect to occur?

(d). Explain briefly what will occur of the +9V supply is replaced by a -20V supply.

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10. A simple alarm circuit

SW1

SW-SPST

R2 RL1
Window 1 1k 6V

D1
1N4148
BUZ1
Window 2
B1
12V
BUZZER

Door Q2 RL2
6V
BC140

R1 Q1
BC140
10k

The circuit above is an alarm circuit installed in a room having 2 windows and 1 door.
Each aperture has a switch installed. When the aperture is closed the switch will be
closed as shown. When an aperture is opened the related switch will also be opened.

(a). Explain the operation of the circuit when:

(i). All windows and the door are closed and switch SW1 is closed

(ii). SW1 is closed and one of the apertures is opened.

(b). What will occur if an aperture is opened and then closed. Will the output of the
circuit change? Explain briefly the reason for your answer.

(c). If the circuit output will not change, what should be done so that the circuit output is
brought to the original state?

(d). Switch SW1 has two functions. Mention these two functions.

(e). Estimate what would be the power consumption of the transistors used in this circuit
when:

(i). All windows and the door are closed and SW1 is closed

(ii). SW1 is switched on and one of the apertures is opened

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11. Transistor Amplifier Circuit (5):

R4
330R

R2
33k
C2
Vout
BAT1
0.1uF
Q1 12V
C1 D1
Vin 2N3819
BZX55C9V1

0.1uF

R1 R3 C3
1M 4k7
100uF

(a). Explain what happens to diode D1 when the battery is connected as shown in the
figure above

(b). What would be the voltage drop on diode D1 when:

(i). The battery is connected as shown in the figure
(ii). The battery connections are reversed

(c). What type of diode is D1? What is the function of resistor R4 in the circuit?

(d). State what would occur within the part of circuit formed of R4 and D1 when:
(i). Battery BAT1 is replaced by a battery of 16V
(ii). Battery BAT1 is replaced by a battery of 6V

(e). Name the type of transistor used in this circuit

(f). Explain the operation of the transistor when an ac sine wave signal is applied to Vin

(g). What would be the differences between Vin and Vout? Sketch some waveforms to
show these differences

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