This device uses the fact that electrons are repelled by like charges to only allow current to flow one way across the tube. The precursor to the diode is the rectifier vacuum tube. But if the voltage at the cathode is higher than the anode voltage, no current will flow and the diode acts like a break in the wire (up to a certain point - at high enough voltages the diode will break down and conduct even in reverse). If a diode is oriented such that a positive voltage is applied to the black end (the anode) and the other end (the cathode) is brought to a lower potential, electrical current will flow across the diode. That's because diodes have polarity, and only work in one direction. The silver band corresponds to the flat stripe on the diode schematic symbol above. Flipping a diode and putting it back in a circuit will dramatically change the way the circuit works, and may prevent it from working entirely.Ī typical rectifier diode. Unlike components like resistors or inductors, the orientation of a diode in a circuit matters. The circuit symbol for a diode looks like this: Credit Place a diode across a battery one way and you will essentially short the battery, but reverse the diode and nothing will happen (the battery will not discharge), as if the diode was never connected. In the simplest terms possible, a diode blocks electric current in one direction and one direction only. The simplest (and of the most common) semiconductor electrical component is the rectifier diode.
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