70 Fig. RECTIFIERS 6 EXPERIMENT 9 DIODES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS Measuring setup voltage, these quantities can be varied and their mutual relation can be studied. The series resistor is used to protect the diode from excessive currents. AS already men- tioned, the diode current depends exponentially on its voltage. Ifthe resistor were not included and the PS voltage were accidentally set to an inappropriately large value (eg., 1 V),an excessive diode current would flow. which could damage the diode per manently. The resistor does not allow this to occur; the diode current causes a voltage drop across the resistor, which subtracts from the PS voltage and thus limits the volt- age drop across the diode. Measure and plot i,, versus v,, (vp should be on the horizontal axis) by varying the PS voltage. Use both positive and negative values for vy. The diode current should be limited to below 15 mA. Notice that although the PS and resistor are used to help measure the characteristics of the diode, the final plot has nothing to do with them. That plot characterizes the diode by itself, since it relates only the diode current 10 the diode voltage. Other types of measuring setups would produce the same i Versus vp characteristic forthe same diode. Adjust the PS voltage so thatthe diode operates in the high-slope region of the plot Just obtained. Vary the PS voltage and observe the variation of the diode voltage. Are the variations of the two voltages equal, oF at least of similar magnitude? If not, why not? Explain what is happening. 4 Set up the circuit of Fig. 7, using the PS as the voltage source. Plot v versus v, for vy between - 10 V and +10 V. Expiain this plot. When finished with the step, nect the PS and the DMM(s) from the circuit