Factors Affecting the Switching Time
Let us now see the factors that affect the switching time of diode:
- Capacitance Developed: The P side and N side of a diode behave like two metal plates of a capacitor with dielectric material in between. This PN junction capacitance changes depending upon the bias conditions mainly because of variations in doping concentrations of dielectric i.e. junction.
- Resistance Developed: The deplition layer developed in the diode works as a resistance .Depending on the width of the region ,the resistance offered by the diode changes controlling whether the amount of current generated is in milli-amps or micro-amps..
- Doping Concentration: The level of doping of the diode, affects the diode switching times. The diffusion rate is indirectly dependant on this doping concentration of majority and minority carriers therefore it affects the switching time.
- Depletion Width Developed: The depletion width formed due to carriers also affects the switching time of diode. The narrower the width of the depletion layer, the faster the switching will be since less time will be required for carriers to cross the depletion region.
Diode As a Switch
The diode is an electronic instrument of great importance, one of them being using the diode as a switch. It is interesting to note that under certain conditions we can use a diode as a switch. In this article, we will study what is an electrical switch and how it differs from a mechanical switch. We will look at the working of the diode as a switch and we will even understand the diode switching times.
In the end, we will see the advantages and disadvantages of a diode as a switch. We will understand the advantages through the applications of the diode as a switch. The article will conclude with some Frequently Asked Questions that readers can refer to.
Table of Content
- What is an Electrical Switch?
- Working
- Diode Switching Times
- Characteristics
- Factors affecting the Switching Time
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Applications