Experiment No.

3
Practical Learning Outcomes
Identify the terminals of the following components: Diode, Zener Diode, Varactor Diode,
LED, Photodiode, BJT, Photo Transistor, FET,LDR, Solar Cell, Photocell, Optocoupler, 7-
Segment Display

Relevant course outcomes

Identify active and passive electronic components.

Resources used: Diode, transistors, 7 segment display

Concept:

Diode-
As the name indicates a diode has two terminals. These are referred to as the anode and
cathode. When in circuit, the current flow (conventional current flow) is across the PN
junction diode from the anode to the cathode. As the diode is a one way device, current is
inhibited from flowing in the other direction.

Application-
Semiconductor diodes can be used for many applications. The basic application is obviously
to rectify waveforms. This can be used within power supplies or within radio detectors.
Signal diodes can also be used for many other functions within circuits where the "one way"
effect of a diode may be required.
2. Zener Diode: Zener diodes are a special type of semiconductor diode that allow current
to flow in one direction only –that also allow current to flow in the opposite direction, but
only when exposed to enough voltage.

Applications: Zener diodes are widely used as voltage references and as shunt regulators to
regulate the voltage across small circuits. When connected in parallel with a variable voltage
source so that it is reverse biased, a Zener diode conducts when the vage reaches the
diode's reverse breakdown voltage.
3.Light Emitting diode(LED): A PN junction emits light when forward biased, is known as
light emitting diode. The semiconducting material used for manufacturing material are
Gallium Phosphide (GaP), Gallium Arsenide Phosphide (GaAsP) and Gallium Nitride
(GaN).The GaAsP emits either red or yellow light. GaP emits Red ,green,yellow,blue orange
etc.
Applications:
 It is used in 7-segment,16-Segment and dot matrix displays
 It is used in burglar alarm system
 It is used in remote controls
 It is used in optical communication system
 It is used in optocouplars.
4.Varactor Diode: Varactor diodes or varicap is a P-N junction semiconductor, voltage
dependent device. When P-N diode is reverse biased, the junction capacitance can be
controlled by varying the depletion width. Varactor or varicap diodes are used mainly in
radio frequency (RF) circuits to be able to provide a capacitance that can be varied by
changing a voltage in an electronics circuit. This can be used for tuning circuits including
radio frequency oscillators and filters. Although both names: varactor and varicap diode are
used, they are both the same form of diode. The name varactor meaning variable reactor, or
reactance, and varicap meaning variable capacitance (vari-cap).
5.Photodiode: A photodiode is a two terminal specialized PN junction diode which operates
in a reverse bias condition.it is light detecting device. It converts light energy in to electrical
energy. It is manufactured from silicon(si).

6.Bipolar Junction Transistor(BJT)- Bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is a type of transistor

that uses both electron and hole charge carriers. The transistor is a 3-leaded electronic
device. The three leads are given the names: COLLECTOR(C}, BASE(B) and EMITTER(E). BJTs
are manufactured in two types, NPN and PNP, and are available as individual components,
or fabricated in integrated circuits, often in large numbers. The basic function of a BJT is to
amplify current. This allows BJTs to be used as amplifiers or switches, giving them wide
applicability in electronic equipment, including computers, televisions, mobile phones,
audio amplifiers, industrial control, and radio transmitters.

PNP TRANSISTOR
A phototransistor is a device that converts light energy into electric energy.
Phototransistors are either tri-terminal (emitter, base and collector) or bi-terminal (emitter
and collector) semiconductor devices which have a light-sensitive base region. Although
all transistors exhibit light-sensitive nature, these are specially designed and optimized for
photo applications.

Applications of Phototransistor
1. Object detection
2. Encoder sensing
3. Automatic electric control systems such as in light detectors
4. Security systems
5. Punch-card readers
8.Field Effect Transistor(FET): The field-effect transistor (FET) is a transistor that uses
an electric field to control the electrical behavior of the device. FETs are also known as
unipolar transistors since they involve single-carrier-type operation. There are threee
terminals to FET i.e.
Sourcce,Gate and Drain.Two types of FET are JFET and MOSFET.
JFET has two types N-channel and P-channel JFET and MOSFET has two types N-channel and
Pchannel MOSFET
Applications –
 A common use of the FET is as an amplifier
 This makes FETs suitable for switching analog signals between paths (multiplexing).
Symbol of P-channel and N-channel FET

Symbol of P-channel and N-channel MOSFET

9. Light Dependent Resistor (LDR):

LDR’s are light dependent devices whose resistance is decreased when light falls on them
and that is increased in the dark. When a light dependent resistor is kept in dark, its
resistance is very high. This resistance is called as dark resistance. It can be as high as 1012 Ω
and if the device is allowed to absorb light its resistance will be decreased drastically. If a
constant voltage is applied to it and intensity of light is increased the current starts
increasing.
Symbol of LDR

Applications- LDR’s have low cost and simple structure. They are often used as light sensors.
They are used when there is a need to detect absences or presences of light like in a camera
light meter. Used in street lamps, alarm clock, burglar alarm circuits, light intensity meters,
for counting the packages moving on a conveyor belt, etc.
10.Seven Segment Display:
7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode) type displays, provide a very convenient way of
displaying information or digital data in the form of numbers, letters or even alpha-
numerical characters. Typically consist of seven individual colored LED’s (called the
segments), within one single display package. In order to produce the required numbers or
HEX characters from 0 to 9 and A to F respectively, on the display the correct combination of
LED segments need to be illuminated and BCD to 7-segment Display Decoders do just that.

Seven segment display

In electronics there are two important types of 7-segment LED digital display.
1. The Common Cathode Display (CCD) – In the common cathode display, all the cathode
connections of the LED’s are joined together to logic “0” or ground. The individual segments
are illuminated by application of a “HIGH”, logic “1” signal to the individual Anode terminals.
2. The Common Anode Display (CAD) – In the common anode display, all the anode
connections of the LED’s are joined together to logic “1” and the individual segments are
illuminated by connecting the individual Cathode terminals to a “LOW”, logic “0” signal.
Applications: The binary information can be displayed in the form of decimal using this
seven segment display. Its wide range of applications is in microwave ovens, calculators,
washing machines, radios, digital clocks etc.
11. Optocouplar : In electronics, an opto-isolator, also called an optocoupler, photocoupler,
or optical isolator, is a component that transfers electrical signals between two isolated
circuits by using light. Opto-isolators prevent high voltages from affecting the system
receiving the signal.The basic design of an optocoupler consists of an LED that produces
infra-red light and a semiconductor photo-sensitive device that is used to detect the emitted
infra-red beam. Both the LED and photo-sensitive device are enclosed in a light-tight body or
package with metal legs for the electrical connections

Applications- common applications for optocouplers include microprocessor input/output

switching, DC and AC power control, PC communications, signal isolation and power supply
regulation which suffer from current ground loops, etc. The electrical signal being
transmitted can be either analogue (linear) or digital (pulses)
Resources required: Diode, Zener Diode, Varactor Diode, LED, Photodiode, BJT, Photo
Transistor, FET, LDR, Optocoupler, 7-Segment Display,multimeter
Conclusion: Hence we learned different electronics components with their application.

STUDENT ACTIVITY:
Sample Questions:
List applications of transistor and diode.
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Marks Obtained Detailed Signature

Process (7M) Product(3M) Total(10M) of Teacher