2
Making Measurements
Testing Diodes
To avoid possible damage to your multimeter or to the equipment under test, disconnect
CAUTION
the circuit power and discharge all high-voltage capacitors before testing diodes.
Set up your multimeter to test diodes as shown in Figure 2-18. Probe the test points and
read the display.
Table 2-9
Legend
MHz
– Use the diode test to check diodes, transistors, silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs), and
NOTE
other semiconductor devices. A good diode allows current to flow in one direction only.
– This test sends a current through a semiconductor junction and then measures the
junction's voltage drop. A typical junction drop is 0.3 V to 0.8 V.
– Connect the red test lead to the positive terminal (anode) of the diode and the black
test lead to the negative terminal (cathode).
Figure 2-16
70
Rotary switch position allowing diode tests
Defaul t function
Diode test
Diode display
Function when
Shift
is pressed
Esc
Frequency counter
Keysight U1281A/U1282A User's Guide