Introduction

Over the years there has been the occasional posts to my messageboard, and quite lot of questions have been received by e-mail regarding the use of diodes for switching, as opposed to using relays. This document is a theoretical treatment of diode switching. In this article I will cover basic uses, device selection, AF switching, and F !steering!. I will also present a couple of novel uses for diodes in their use as a switch. I will, of course, include the "I# diode, towards the end. The document is #OT a practical pro$ect, although many of the circuits can be constructed and used as presented. There are no "%& foils. The intercom, for e'ample, was constructed in the ()s for a friend when he was newly married. *e was delighted with the performance of it.

Introducing the Diode

Almost A++ diodes will pass current in one direction, but when the voltage polarity is reverse the diode does not conduct. ,ou can measure this with an Ohm-meter -resistance meter.. The %athode -/. usually has a band around the body of the diode.

at (a) no current flow, but at (b) current does flow The primary use is a rectifier, or detector, for Alternating %urrent. 0arly diodes consisted of a heated %athode inside a tubular Anode. Typical devices were 0&12, and 03(2, each of which

contained two diodes and had a 4.5v heater, isolated from the cathode. Then came the 6ermanium "oint %ontact diode, which replaced the vacuum tube because it was really effecient, especially for small-signal applications. A typical 6ermanium diode is the OA12, which is still used in manny applications and older designs today. For higher power levels the 7ilicon diode cannot be beat for low frequency applications. A typical smal-signal 7ilicon diode is the 2#128 and a typical power rectifier diode is the 2#8))2.

A typical point-contact germanium diode

Typical silicon switching diodes

A typical silicon rectifier diode All these diodes have different properties. I will forget about the vacuum valve -tube. diode since we will not be using them in modern circuits. In principle, the silicon and germanium diode have slightly different properties9 Point Contact - Germanium These have very low capacitance between the two electrodes. This ma:es them ideal for detecting radio frequencies. 0arly diodes manufactured in the 4)s are still used today. Forward resistance is typically 2 Ohm.

everse resistance is typically 2;Ohm. Forward voltage drop typically ).2<v. Junction Diode - Silicon These have capacitance between the two electrodes either side of the $unction, and they are not so goodt as a signal detector. Forward resistance is typically ).< Ohm. everse resistance is typically =2))/Ohm. Forward voltage drop typically ).><v. Zener Diode - Silicon These have *?60 capacitance between the two electrodes. They are heavily !doped! so that when non-conducting they brea:-down when a particular voltage is reached. @hen the voltage is reduced below this !avalanch point! the diode recovers again. 3ener diodes ma:e perfect Aariable-%apacitance diodes B-. Forward resistance is typically ).< Ohm. everse resistance is typically =2))/Ohm. Forward voltage drop typically ).><v. &y the way, did you :now that all diodes and bipolar transistors are sensitive to lightC The power diodes are encapsulated in plastic, so they are shielded from light, but those in glass envelopes are not. If you get terrific hains !hun! in your D% receiver, using a diode bridge product detector, then try again in dar:ness - switch out the lights. #eon tubes :ic: out a terific light !buEE!.

A simple Switch
6iven that the diode can be made to conduct, or not to conduct, simply by the choice of applied voltage polarity, then it must be possible to use any diode as a switch. 7o if you want to follow me, then $ust wire together the following circuit on a bit of breadboard, or something. ,ou could draw out the circuit and tape the components to the paper, then connect them as shown9

DIODE AS A SWITCH WORKING

A diode conducts (offers 0 resistance ideally i e ! it acts as a s"ort circuit# only $"en it is for$ard %iased and it offers &ery "i'" i()edance (in ot"er $ords! it acts as a o)en circuit# $"en re&erse %iased T"us! $"en an in)ut is 'i&en to t"e diode (to its anode#! only $"en t"e in)ut is )ositi&e! it for$ard %iases t"e diode! and so t"ere $ill %e current flo$ in t"e circuit! else t"e diode $ill not conduct and so t"ere $ill %e no current flo$ T"is $ay u can (a*e diode $or* as a s$itc"! (only $"en &olta'e is +&e! u 'et an out)ut current and $"en &olta'e is ,&e! t"e current flo$ $ill %e -ero#