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Am I testing diodes properly?

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Am I testing diodes properly?


Have I broken my Multimeter?Question about diode strings in high voltage applicationsIs it safe to measure AAA battery current with a multimeter directly?Quick question about SMD diodesUnexpected results measuring AC from secondary of toroid transformerdifference in reverse voltage of diodes?Using diode mode on my multimeter to debug circuits. A good idea?Is my multimeter broken?Using a multimeter, can I tell if a lithium-ion battery pack is brand-new?Darlington Transistor TIP142 same type but different values






.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








2












$begingroup$


I decided to test some diodes that I have, using a multimeter to measure their forward bias voltage. I set my multimeter to voltage test and connected the diode across:



enter image description here



I tested a bunch of different diodes, both germanium and silicone type, so I expected to see voltages around 0.2 - 0.7V. However, all diodes showed 0V!



enter image description here



I tried reversing the polarity of the diodes, as well switching multimeters. Always my measurement came out as 0V. So am I making some kind of mistake in measuring diodes, or are both of my multimeters/all diodes broken?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    Short answer : No
    $endgroup$
    – Sunnyskyguy EE75
    16 mins ago

















2












$begingroup$


I decided to test some diodes that I have, using a multimeter to measure their forward bias voltage. I set my multimeter to voltage test and connected the diode across:



enter image description here



I tested a bunch of different diodes, both germanium and silicone type, so I expected to see voltages around 0.2 - 0.7V. However, all diodes showed 0V!



enter image description here



I tried reversing the polarity of the diodes, as well switching multimeters. Always my measurement came out as 0V. So am I making some kind of mistake in measuring diodes, or are both of my multimeters/all diodes broken?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    Short answer : No
    $endgroup$
    – Sunnyskyguy EE75
    16 mins ago













2












2








2





$begingroup$


I decided to test some diodes that I have, using a multimeter to measure their forward bias voltage. I set my multimeter to voltage test and connected the diode across:



enter image description here



I tested a bunch of different diodes, both germanium and silicone type, so I expected to see voltages around 0.2 - 0.7V. However, all diodes showed 0V!



enter image description here



I tried reversing the polarity of the diodes, as well switching multimeters. Always my measurement came out as 0V. So am I making some kind of mistake in measuring diodes, or are both of my multimeters/all diodes broken?










share|improve this question









$endgroup$




I decided to test some diodes that I have, using a multimeter to measure their forward bias voltage. I set my multimeter to voltage test and connected the diode across:



enter image description here



I tested a bunch of different diodes, both germanium and silicone type, so I expected to see voltages around 0.2 - 0.7V. However, all diodes showed 0V!



enter image description here



I tried reversing the polarity of the diodes, as well switching multimeters. Always my measurement came out as 0V. So am I making some kind of mistake in measuring diodes, or are both of my multimeters/all diodes broken?







diodes multimeter






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 9 hours ago









S. RotosS. Rotos

1,0402 gold badges9 silver badges18 bronze badges




1,0402 gold badges9 silver badges18 bronze badges











  • $begingroup$
    Short answer : No
    $endgroup$
    – Sunnyskyguy EE75
    16 mins ago
















  • $begingroup$
    Short answer : No
    $endgroup$
    – Sunnyskyguy EE75
    16 mins ago















$begingroup$
Short answer : No
$endgroup$
– Sunnyskyguy EE75
16 mins ago




$begingroup$
Short answer : No
$endgroup$
– Sunnyskyguy EE75
16 mins ago










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















6












$begingroup$

In voltage mode, a multimeter just measures what voltage is present between its leads. What you want is diode test mode, which is usually indicated on the dial with a diode symbol. On your meter, it's the option one to the left of your voltage mode--set the dial to that and press the mode button a few times to put it in diode mode; it'll say on the LCD. In diode mode, the meter applies a known current to the diode -- you can check the meter's datasheet or instruction manual to know what current it uses, and fancier meters might even let you select a current -- and then measures the voltage across the diode.



Note that this usually won't work for LEDs, as most meters limit their diode test voltage to only one or two volts, which is too low to turn on any LEDs except maybe some red or yellow ones. But for a conventional diode like the one you show in the picture it will work fine.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$




















    3












    $begingroup$

    Nope. You need to set your multimeter to diode test mode. One click anticlockwise, and then press the "mode" button until the LCD shows a diode symbol.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$




















      3












      $begingroup$

      The guys in forensics had a difficult job enhancing the dodgy photos but the problem is clear.



      enter image description here



      1. The meter is set to measure DC.

      2. Volts.

      3. (Barely visible in this rendering) the range selected is 'V'.

      4. The correct switch setting.

      Since you selected DC V and a diode doesn't generate any voltage the reading is zero. This is correct.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        wait, back up... there... zoom in and enhance.... Seriously though, good job on the photo!
        $endgroup$
        – mkeith
        3 hours ago


















      0












      $begingroup$

      Perhaps you are being misled by the fact that circuit simulators model a diode as a voltage source in series with a resistor. That is a fiction that is required to make the circuit simulate correctly.



      A Real diode does not produce a voltage across itself, but will produce a voltage drop when you pass current through it in the forward direction.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$




















        -1












        $begingroup$

        If diodes generated a voltage then batteries would not be needed anymore.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$












        • $begingroup$
          Yet we can treat it as a constant voltage sink to the constant current source of 1mA typ. up to 1.99V and AG’s humour is obvious. I would expect 0.6V at 1mA
          $endgroup$
          – Sunnyskyguy EE75
          17 mins ago













        Your Answer






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        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes








        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        6












        $begingroup$

        In voltage mode, a multimeter just measures what voltage is present between its leads. What you want is diode test mode, which is usually indicated on the dial with a diode symbol. On your meter, it's the option one to the left of your voltage mode--set the dial to that and press the mode button a few times to put it in diode mode; it'll say on the LCD. In diode mode, the meter applies a known current to the diode -- you can check the meter's datasheet or instruction manual to know what current it uses, and fancier meters might even let you select a current -- and then measures the voltage across the diode.



        Note that this usually won't work for LEDs, as most meters limit their diode test voltage to only one or two volts, which is too low to turn on any LEDs except maybe some red or yellow ones. But for a conventional diode like the one you show in the picture it will work fine.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$

















          6












          $begingroup$

          In voltage mode, a multimeter just measures what voltage is present between its leads. What you want is diode test mode, which is usually indicated on the dial with a diode symbol. On your meter, it's the option one to the left of your voltage mode--set the dial to that and press the mode button a few times to put it in diode mode; it'll say on the LCD. In diode mode, the meter applies a known current to the diode -- you can check the meter's datasheet or instruction manual to know what current it uses, and fancier meters might even let you select a current -- and then measures the voltage across the diode.



          Note that this usually won't work for LEDs, as most meters limit their diode test voltage to only one or two volts, which is too low to turn on any LEDs except maybe some red or yellow ones. But for a conventional diode like the one you show in the picture it will work fine.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$















            6












            6








            6





            $begingroup$

            In voltage mode, a multimeter just measures what voltage is present between its leads. What you want is diode test mode, which is usually indicated on the dial with a diode symbol. On your meter, it's the option one to the left of your voltage mode--set the dial to that and press the mode button a few times to put it in diode mode; it'll say on the LCD. In diode mode, the meter applies a known current to the diode -- you can check the meter's datasheet or instruction manual to know what current it uses, and fancier meters might even let you select a current -- and then measures the voltage across the diode.



            Note that this usually won't work for LEDs, as most meters limit their diode test voltage to only one or two volts, which is too low to turn on any LEDs except maybe some red or yellow ones. But for a conventional diode like the one you show in the picture it will work fine.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            In voltage mode, a multimeter just measures what voltage is present between its leads. What you want is diode test mode, which is usually indicated on the dial with a diode symbol. On your meter, it's the option one to the left of your voltage mode--set the dial to that and press the mode button a few times to put it in diode mode; it'll say on the LCD. In diode mode, the meter applies a known current to the diode -- you can check the meter's datasheet or instruction manual to know what current it uses, and fancier meters might even let you select a current -- and then measures the voltage across the diode.



            Note that this usually won't work for LEDs, as most meters limit their diode test voltage to only one or two volts, which is too low to turn on any LEDs except maybe some red or yellow ones. But for a conventional diode like the one you show in the picture it will work fine.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 8 hours ago









            HearthHearth

            6,8251 gold badge16 silver badges50 bronze badges




            6,8251 gold badge16 silver badges50 bronze badges























                3












                $begingroup$

                Nope. You need to set your multimeter to diode test mode. One click anticlockwise, and then press the "mode" button until the LCD shows a diode symbol.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$

















                  3












                  $begingroup$

                  Nope. You need to set your multimeter to diode test mode. One click anticlockwise, and then press the "mode" button until the LCD shows a diode symbol.






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$















                    3












                    3








                    3





                    $begingroup$

                    Nope. You need to set your multimeter to diode test mode. One click anticlockwise, and then press the "mode" button until the LCD shows a diode symbol.






                    share|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$



                    Nope. You need to set your multimeter to diode test mode. One click anticlockwise, and then press the "mode" button until the LCD shows a diode symbol.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 9 hours ago









                    pericynthionpericynthion

                    4,70210 silver badges29 bronze badges




                    4,70210 silver badges29 bronze badges





















                        3












                        $begingroup$

                        The guys in forensics had a difficult job enhancing the dodgy photos but the problem is clear.



                        enter image description here



                        1. The meter is set to measure DC.

                        2. Volts.

                        3. (Barely visible in this rendering) the range selected is 'V'.

                        4. The correct switch setting.

                        Since you selected DC V and a diode doesn't generate any voltage the reading is zero. This is correct.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$












                        • $begingroup$
                          wait, back up... there... zoom in and enhance.... Seriously though, good job on the photo!
                          $endgroup$
                          – mkeith
                          3 hours ago















                        3












                        $begingroup$

                        The guys in forensics had a difficult job enhancing the dodgy photos but the problem is clear.



                        enter image description here



                        1. The meter is set to measure DC.

                        2. Volts.

                        3. (Barely visible in this rendering) the range selected is 'V'.

                        4. The correct switch setting.

                        Since you selected DC V and a diode doesn't generate any voltage the reading is zero. This is correct.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$












                        • $begingroup$
                          wait, back up... there... zoom in and enhance.... Seriously though, good job on the photo!
                          $endgroup$
                          – mkeith
                          3 hours ago













                        3












                        3








                        3





                        $begingroup$

                        The guys in forensics had a difficult job enhancing the dodgy photos but the problem is clear.



                        enter image description here



                        1. The meter is set to measure DC.

                        2. Volts.

                        3. (Barely visible in this rendering) the range selected is 'V'.

                        4. The correct switch setting.

                        Since you selected DC V and a diode doesn't generate any voltage the reading is zero. This is correct.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$



                        The guys in forensics had a difficult job enhancing the dodgy photos but the problem is clear.



                        enter image description here



                        1. The meter is set to measure DC.

                        2. Volts.

                        3. (Barely visible in this rendering) the range selected is 'V'.

                        4. The correct switch setting.

                        Since you selected DC V and a diode doesn't generate any voltage the reading is zero. This is correct.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered 6 hours ago









                        TransistorTransistor

                        95k8 gold badges95 silver badges207 bronze badges




                        95k8 gold badges95 silver badges207 bronze badges











                        • $begingroup$
                          wait, back up... there... zoom in and enhance.... Seriously though, good job on the photo!
                          $endgroup$
                          – mkeith
                          3 hours ago
















                        • $begingroup$
                          wait, back up... there... zoom in and enhance.... Seriously though, good job on the photo!
                          $endgroup$
                          – mkeith
                          3 hours ago















                        $begingroup$
                        wait, back up... there... zoom in and enhance.... Seriously though, good job on the photo!
                        $endgroup$
                        – mkeith
                        3 hours ago




                        $begingroup$
                        wait, back up... there... zoom in and enhance.... Seriously though, good job on the photo!
                        $endgroup$
                        – mkeith
                        3 hours ago











                        0












                        $begingroup$

                        Perhaps you are being misled by the fact that circuit simulators model a diode as a voltage source in series with a resistor. That is a fiction that is required to make the circuit simulate correctly.



                        A Real diode does not produce a voltage across itself, but will produce a voltage drop when you pass current through it in the forward direction.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$

















                          0












                          $begingroup$

                          Perhaps you are being misled by the fact that circuit simulators model a diode as a voltage source in series with a resistor. That is a fiction that is required to make the circuit simulate correctly.



                          A Real diode does not produce a voltage across itself, but will produce a voltage drop when you pass current through it in the forward direction.






                          share|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$















                            0












                            0








                            0





                            $begingroup$

                            Perhaps you are being misled by the fact that circuit simulators model a diode as a voltage source in series with a resistor. That is a fiction that is required to make the circuit simulate correctly.



                            A Real diode does not produce a voltage across itself, but will produce a voltage drop when you pass current through it in the forward direction.






                            share|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$



                            Perhaps you are being misled by the fact that circuit simulators model a diode as a voltage source in series with a resistor. That is a fiction that is required to make the circuit simulate correctly.



                            A Real diode does not produce a voltage across itself, but will produce a voltage drop when you pass current through it in the forward direction.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 5 hours ago









                            Peter BennettPeter Bennett

                            38.9k1 gold badge31 silver badges71 bronze badges




                            38.9k1 gold badge31 silver badges71 bronze badges





















                                -1












                                $begingroup$

                                If diodes generated a voltage then batteries would not be needed anymore.






                                share|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$












                                • $begingroup$
                                  Yet we can treat it as a constant voltage sink to the constant current source of 1mA typ. up to 1.99V and AG’s humour is obvious. I would expect 0.6V at 1mA
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Sunnyskyguy EE75
                                  17 mins ago















                                -1












                                $begingroup$

                                If diodes generated a voltage then batteries would not be needed anymore.






                                share|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$












                                • $begingroup$
                                  Yet we can treat it as a constant voltage sink to the constant current source of 1mA typ. up to 1.99V and AG’s humour is obvious. I would expect 0.6V at 1mA
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Sunnyskyguy EE75
                                  17 mins ago













                                -1












                                -1








                                -1





                                $begingroup$

                                If diodes generated a voltage then batteries would not be needed anymore.






                                share|improve this answer









                                $endgroup$



                                If diodes generated a voltage then batteries would not be needed anymore.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered 4 hours ago









                                AudioguruAudioguru

                                6231 silver badge4 bronze badges




                                6231 silver badge4 bronze badges











                                • $begingroup$
                                  Yet we can treat it as a constant voltage sink to the constant current source of 1mA typ. up to 1.99V and AG’s humour is obvious. I would expect 0.6V at 1mA
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Sunnyskyguy EE75
                                  17 mins ago
















                                • $begingroup$
                                  Yet we can treat it as a constant voltage sink to the constant current source of 1mA typ. up to 1.99V and AG’s humour is obvious. I would expect 0.6V at 1mA
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – Sunnyskyguy EE75
                                  17 mins ago















                                $begingroup$
                                Yet we can treat it as a constant voltage sink to the constant current source of 1mA typ. up to 1.99V and AG’s humour is obvious. I would expect 0.6V at 1mA
                                $endgroup$
                                – Sunnyskyguy EE75
                                17 mins ago




                                $begingroup$
                                Yet we can treat it as a constant voltage sink to the constant current source of 1mA typ. up to 1.99V and AG’s humour is obvious. I would expect 0.6V at 1mA
                                $endgroup$
                                – Sunnyskyguy EE75
                                17 mins ago

















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