Diodes - juxtapix/IMA_E4I GitHub Wiki

Diodes allow electricity to flow in only one direction.

Diodes are small semiconductors that have two leads, an anode and a cathode. The diode operates by allowing electrons to flow in only one direction, called the forward direction. Any current trying to flow in the reverse direction is blocked. Diodes are like a one-way valve for electrons.

When the anode of the diode is given a voltage that is more positive than the cathode, it is said to be forward biased. This allows the diode to "turn on" and allow current to flow through. The reverse condition is called reverse biased and causes the diode to be in an "off" state, blocking any current from flowing through.

Identifying Diodes

• Types of diodes
  • Signal diodes
  • Rectifier power diodes
  • Zener
  • Light Emitting Diodes
  • Photodiodes
• Testing diodes
• Forward Voltage Drop
• Reverse Voltage

Diode circuits (examples)

• Reverse Current Protection
• Flyback Diodes
• AC current Rectifier
  • half-wave rectifier
  • full-wave bridge rectifier
  • clipping circuit
• Voltage regulator (zener diode)
• Diode logic
• Charlieplexing

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References:

https://electronicsclub.info/diodes.htm
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/diodes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode_logic