Welcome to our site! EDAboard.com is an international Electronics Discussion Forum focused on EDA software, circuits, schematics, books, theory, papers, asic, pld, 8051, DSP, Network, RF, Analog Design, PCB, Service Manuals... and a whole lot more! To participate you need to register. Registration is free. Click here to register now.
I think diode is a passive device because it always dissipated power. The current-voltage characteristics of the diode are always on the 1st and 3rd quadrant so that that the instantaneous power dissipation (i*v) is always positive.
sometimes it is a passive element and sometime it is not a passive element.
for example when you make a diode with a BJT(with shorting its collector and its base) then it is a not passive element and for a diode like 1n4148 we must say it is a passive element.
Diode is consider as active component because it requires supply to voltage to be forward biased and perform its function as a switch or as a rectifier unlike resistor/capacitor/inductor which do not need any voltage to turn on/off. We defined active component when it require external supply voltage to perform function while passive component do not need supply voltage
Diode does not consume any power? Are you kidding?
The diode has a forward voltage when you forward bias it and that produces a power loss -- that is why it is a passive device. The current-voltage product of a diode is always positive -- it always dissipates power.
Take a look at a simple diode, it will have a forward voltage of 0.7-1.0V. Let's say you are putting 1A through it. Everytime you do this you have an instantaneous power dissipation of 0.7-1.0W. Now usually diodes are used in circuits where they are not always passing current. In that case, you can take the power dissipation versus time and calculate the average power dissipation.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
