{"id":869,"date":"2022-10-25T06:59:32","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T13:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/eagle\/blog\/?p=869"},"modified":"2025-08-07T06:54:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T13:54:44","slug":"diode-led-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Diode Polarity &amp; Symbols Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Learn what a diode and LED do, how polarity sets current direction, where to find the diode\/LED symbol on schematics, and why knowing the anode-cathode ends prevents reverse wiring mistakes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-does-a-diode-and-led-work\">How Does a Diode and LED Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s time to level up your knowledge and move beyond simple passive components into the realm of semiconductor components. These parts come to life when wired into a circuit and can manipulate electricity in many ways.&nbsp;There are two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/the-state-of-the-semiconductor-industry\/\">semiconductor<\/a> components that you\u2019ll be working with: the diode and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/transistors-101-detailed-introduction\/\">transistor<\/a>. Today, we\u2019ll cover the diode, the notorious control freak that only allows electricity to flow in one direction! If you\u2019ve seen a LED in action, you\u2019re already well ahead of the game. Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<?php\nfunction autodesk_fusion_cta_horizontal() {\n    ob_start();\n    ?>\n    <style>\n        .cta-section-horizontal {\n            background: #ddd; \/* Much lighter grey background *\/\n            padding: 12px; \/* Adjusted padding *\/\n            border-radius: 8px;\n            box-shadow: 0 3px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\n            color: #333; \/* Darker text color for better readability *\/\n            display: flex;\n            align-items: center;\n            justify-content: space-between;\n            max-width: 650px; \/* Width adjusted for a more compact look *\/\n            margin: 20px auto;\n            position: relative;\n            flex-wrap: nowrap; \/* Prevent wrapping *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-section-horizontal img {\n            width: 60px; \/* Slightly larger logo *\/\n            height: auto; \/* Maintain aspect ratio *\/\n            margin-right: 12px; \/* Adjusted spacing *\/\n            background-color: #ddd; \/* Match the background color *\/\n            padding: 6px; \/* Adjusted padding *\/\n            border-radius: 8px; \/* Slightly rounding to match container *\/\n            box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px #ddd; \/* Blend with background *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-text {\n            flex: 1;\n            margin-right: 12px; \/* Adjusted spacing *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-title {\n            font-size: 18px; \/* Slightly larger title font size *\/\n            font-weight: bold; \/* Bold title *\/\n            color: #f9a825; \/* Orange color *\/\n            margin-bottom: 4px; \/* Reduced margin *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-info {\n            display: none; \/* Hide description *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-buttons {\n            display: flex;\n            gap: 8px; \/* Adjusted button spacing *\/\n            align-items: center;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button {\n            padding: 8px 12px; \/* Button padding *\/\n            font-size: 12px; \/* Smaller font size for buttons *\/\n            font-weight: bold;\n            text-transform: uppercase;\n            border-radius: 4px; \/* Slightly rounded corners *\/\n            border: 2px solid transparent;\n            cursor: pointer;\n            transition: all 0.3s ease;\n            display: inline-flex; \/* Use inline-flex to ensure proper alignment *\/\n            align-items: center; \/* Center align text vertically *\/\n            justify-content: center; \/* Center align text horizontally *\/\n            text-decoration: none !important; \/* Ensure no underlines with !important *\/\n            color: inherit; \/* Use the button's text color *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-button.white-button {\n            background-color: #fff;\n            color: #333;\n            border: 2px solid #ddd;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button.white-button:hover {\n            background-color: #333;\n            color: #fff;\n            border: 2px solid #f9a825;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button.black-button {\n            background-color: #f9a825;\n            color: #fff;\n            border: 2px solid #f9a825;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button.black-button:hover {\n            background-color: #fff;\n            color: #f9a825;\n            border: 2px solid #fff;\n        }\n    <\/style>\n\n    <div class=\"cta-section-horizontal\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/autodesk-fusion-product-icon-400.png\" alt=\"Autodesk Fusion Logo\">\n        <div class=\"cta-text\">\n            <h1 class=\"cta-title\">Elevate your design and manufacturing processes with Autodesk Fusion<\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"cta-buttons\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/trial-intake-flow\" class=\"cta-button white-button\">Get a 30-Day Free Trial<\/a>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/extensions\" class=\"cta-button black-button\">See Plans and Pricing<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <?php\n    return ob_get_clean();\n}\nadd_shortcode('autodesk_fusion_cta_horizontal', 'autodesk_fusion_cta_horizontal');\n?>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-diode\">What is a Diode?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>A diode is a semiconductor device that allows electric current to flow in only one direction, from its anode to its cathode, blocking reverse flow. It features a p-n junction that controls this behavior. Diodes are used to convert AC to DC, protect circuits, and in signal processing. Specialized types, like LEDs, emit light when current passes through them.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"control-the-flow\">Control the flow<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The diode is well known for its ability to control the flow of electrical current in a circuit. Unlike passive components that sit idly by resisting or storing, diodes actively have their hands deep in the ebb and flow of current as it courses throughout our devices. There are two ways to describe how current will or won\u2019t flow through a diode:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. <b>Forward-Biased:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When you insert a battery correctly into a circuit, current will be allowed to flow through a diode; this is called a forward-biased state.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Forward-biased.jpg\" alt=\"Forward biased diode\" class=\"wp-image-65559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Forward-biased.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Forward-biased-300x147.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>2. <b>Reverse-Biased: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you slip a battery into a circuit backward, your diode will block any current from flowing, which is called a reverse-biased state.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1004\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Reversed_Biased_Diode.png\" alt=\"Reverse-biased diode\" class=\"wp-image-65584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Reversed_Biased_Diode.png 1004w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Reversed_Biased_Diode-300x145.png 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Reversed_Biased_Diode-768x370.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1004px) 100vw, 1004px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While these two terms might seem complicated, think of a diode as a switch &#8211; its diode polarity sets the correct diode direction for current flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Diodes are polarized components, meaning they have a very specific orientation that needs to be connected in a circuit to work correctly, a fact the diode symbol reinforces by placing the arrow from anode to cathode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily spot a diode on a schematic. Just look for the large arrow with a line running through it (as shown below) &#8211; that classic diode symbol instantly shows permitted current direction.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"diode-polarity-amp-symbols\">Diode Polarity &amp; Symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diodes are polarized components, meaning they have a very specific orientation that needs to be connected in a circuit to work correctly. On a physical diode, you\u2019ll notice two terminals extending from a tin can shape in the middle. One side is the positive terminal, called the anode. The other terminal is the negative end, called the <\/span><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wevolver.com\/article\/diode-anode-cathode-unlocking-the-power-of-semiconductor-junctions\">cathode<\/a>. <\/b>C<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">urrent can only move in a diode from the anode to the cathode, never the other way around. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SC-DI-1N5404-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cathode\" class=\"wp-image-65599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SC-DI-1N5404-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SC-DI-1N5404-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SC-DI-1N5404-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SC-DI-1N5404-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SC-DI-1N5404-1-345x345.jpg 345w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SC-DI-1N5404-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can easily spot a diode on a schematic. Just look for the large arrow with a line running through it, as shown below. Some diodes will have both their anode and cathode marked as positive and negative, but a simple way to remember which way current flows in a diode is to follow the direction of the arrow. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Current_Flow_DIODE_Smaller_AdobeStock_250989093-1024x522.jpg\" alt=\"Diode\" class=\"wp-image-65614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Current_Flow_DIODE_Smaller_AdobeStock_250989093-1024x522.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Current_Flow_DIODE_Smaller_AdobeStock_250989093-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Current_Flow_DIODE_Smaller_AdobeStock_250989093-768x391.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Current_Flow_DIODE_Smaller_AdobeStock_250989093-1536x783.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Current_Flow_DIODE_Smaller_AdobeStock_250989093.jpg 1844w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The arrow on a diode symbol indicates the direction the current will flow.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll find most diodes these days made from two of the most popular semiconductor materials in electronics &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Silicon\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">silicon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Germanium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">germanium<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you know anything about semiconductors, then you\u2019ll know that neither of these elements conducts electricity in their natural state. So how do we get electricity to flow through silicon or germanium? With a little magic trick called doping. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-doping-of-semiconductors\">The Doping of Semiconductors<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Semiconductor elements are strange. Let\u2019s take silicon, for example. It\u2019s an insulator by day. However, if you add impurities to it through a process called doping, you give it the magical power to conduct electricity by night.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of their dual capabilities as both an insulator and conductor, semiconductors have found their perfect niche in components that need to control the flow of electric current in the form of diodes and transistors. Here\u2019s how the doping process works in a typical piece of silicon<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, silicon is grown in a tightly controlled laboratory environment. This is called a clean room, meaning it&#8217;s free from dust and other contaminants.<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With silicon all grown up, it\u2019s now time to dope it. This process can go one of two ways. The first is to dope silicon with antimony, which gives it a few extra electrons and allows silicon to conduct electricity. This is called <\/span>n-type<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or negative-type silicon, because it has more negative electrons than usual.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also dope silicon in reverse. Adding boron to silicon removes electrons from the silicon atom, leaving empty holes where the electrons should be. This is called <\/span>p-type or positive-type silicon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Now that your pieces of silicon are both positively and negatively doped, you can put them together. By joining n-type and p-type silicon together, you create <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a <\/span>junction<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"example\">Example<\/h4>\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you put n-type and p-type silicon together and then connect a battery, creating a circuit. What will happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this instance, the negative terminal connects to the n-type silicon, and the positive terminal connects to the p-type silicon. And the no man\u2019s land space between the two pieces of silicon? Well, it starts to shrink, and the electric current starts to flow! This is the forward-biased state of a diode that we discussed initially.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ForwardBiased.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65619\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ForwardBiased.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ForwardBiased-300x112.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ForwardBiased-768x288.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suppose you connect your battery the other way around, with the negative terminal connected to the p-type silicon and the positive terminal connected to the n-type silicon. What happens here is that the no man\u2019s land between both pieces of silicon gets wider, and no current flows at all. This is the reverse-biased state that a diode can take on.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Reverse_Biased-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Reverse_Biased-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Reverse_Biased-1-300x102.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Reverse_Biased-1-768x261.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Hook a battery up in an unintended direction, and your diode will stop current from flowing between n-type and p-type.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"forward-voltage-amp-breakdowns\">Forward Voltage &amp; Breakdowns<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you work with diodes, you\u2019ll come to learn that for one to allow current through, it requires a particular amount of positive voltage. The voltage needed to turn on a diode is called the <\/span><b>forward voltage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (VF). You might also see it referred to as cut-in voltage or on-voltage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What determines this forward voltage? The semiconductor <\/span><b>material<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>type<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here\u2019s how it breaks down:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Silicon Diodes. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a silicon-based diode will require a forward voltage between 0.6 and 1V. <\/span><\/b><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Germanium Diodes.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a germanium-based diode will require a lower forward voltage, around 0.3V. <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other Diodes.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specialized diodes like LEDs require a higher forward voltage, whereas Schottky diodes (see below) require a lower forward voltage. It\u2019s best to check the datasheet for your specific diode to determine its forward voltage rating. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I know we\u2019ve been talking about diodes only allowing current to flow in one direction, but you can break this rule. If you apply a huge negative voltage to a diode, then you can actually reverse the flow of its current!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The specific amount of voltage that causes this reverse flow to occur is called the <\/span><b>breakdown voltage. <strong>The breakdown v<\/strong><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oltage for normal diodes is between -50V to -100V. Some specialized diodes <\/span>can even<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> operate at this negative, breakdown voltage, which we\u2019ll talk about later. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"unpacking-the-diode-family\">Unpacking the Diode family<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a ton of diodes out there, each with its own specialized abilities. And while each shares a common foundation of restricting the flow of current, you can use this common basis to create a ton of different uses. Let\u2019s check out each member of the diode family!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"types-of-diodes\">Types of Diodes:<\/h2>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Standard diodes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rectifier diodes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schottky diodes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zener diodes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Photodiodes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Light-emitting diodes (LED)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"standard-diodes\">Standard Diodes<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your average diode. Standard diodes have a moderate voltage requirement and a low maximum current rating.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"725\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13_17-41-06-1024x725.jpg\" alt=\"Diode available from Digi-Key\" class=\"wp-image-65635\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13_17-41-06-1024x725.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13_17-41-06-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13_17-41-06-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13_17-41-06-1536x1088.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024-02-13_17-41-06.jpg 1810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A standard, everyday diode available from Digi-Key, notice the silver strip that marks the cathode end. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rectifier-diodes\">Rectifier Diodes<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the beefier siblings of the standard diodes&nbsp;and have a higher maximum current rating and forward voltage. They are mainly used in Power supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_MFG_GI758.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_MFG_GI758.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_MFG_GI758-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_MFG_GI758-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_MFG_GI758-345x345.jpg 345w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The beefier siblings of the standard diode, the difference being the larger current rating and forward voltage.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"schottky-diodes\">Schottky Diodes<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the quirky cousin of the diode family. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/schottky-diodes\/?msockid=2b729b48590a6406216c8f2358936589\">Schottky diode<\/a> comes in handy when you need to limit the voltage loss in your circuit. You can identify a Schottky diode on a schematic by looking for your typical diode symbol by adding two new bends (\u2018S\u2019 shape) on the cathode pin. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SchotckyDiode-1024x439.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SchotckyDiode-1024x439.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SchotckyDiode-300x129.png 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SchotckyDiode-768x329.png 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SchotckyDiode-1536x658.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/SchotckyDiode.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Look for the <\/em>bends<em> in the cathode end of the diode to quickly identify is as a Schottky.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"zener-diodes\">Zener Diodes<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Zener diodes are the black sheep of the diode family. They send electric current flowing in the opposite direction! They do this by taking advantage of the breakdown voltage discussed above, also called the Zener Breakdown. By taking advantage of this breakdown ability, Zener diodes are great at creating a stable reference voltage at a specific spot in a circuit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Zener-1024x439.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Zener-1024x439.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Zener-300x129.png 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Zener-768x329.png 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Zener-1536x658.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Zener.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Zener Diode looks strikingly different from the rest of the diode family and can send current from cathode to anode.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"photodiodes\">Photodiodes<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Photodiodes are the rebellious teenagers of the diode family. Rather than simply allowing current to flow through a circuit, photodiodes capture energy from a light source and turn<\/span> it into electrical current. You\u2019ll find these for use in solar panels and<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> optical communications.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/photodiode1-1024x267.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65655\" style=\"width:711px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/photodiode1-1024x267.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/photodiode1-300x78.png 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/photodiode1-768x200.png 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/photodiode1-1536x401.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/photodiode1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photodiodes take it all in, capturing energy from light and turning it into an electrical current.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"lightemitting-diodes-leds\">Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LEDs are the shining stars of the diode family. Like standard diodes, LEDs only allow current to flow in one direction, but with a twist! When the proper forward voltage is applied, these LEDs light up with brilliant colors. Here\u2019s the catch, though, specific colors of a LED require different, forward voltages. For example, a blue LED requires a forward voltage of 3.3V, whereas a red LED only needs 2.2V to start shining.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-makes-leds-so-popular\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Makes LEDs So Popular?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Efficiency:<\/strong> LEDs make light electronically without pumping out a ton of heat like traditional incandescent light bulbs. This allows them to save a ton of energy. <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Control: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LEDs are also super easy to control in an electronic circuit. As long as they have a resistor placed before them, then they\u2019re bound to work!<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Inexpensive: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LEDs are also very affordable and last. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll find them used so much in traffic signals, displays, and infrared signals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large size-full wp-image-884\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LED-1024x612.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LED-1024x612.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LED-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LED-768x459.png 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LED-1536x918.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LED.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>LEDs come in many<\/em> different shapes and colors, each of which requires a different,<em> forward voltage to light up! (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Light-emitting_diode\">Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-three-most-common-uses-for-diodes\">The Three Most Common Uses for Diodes<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because diodes come in many shapes, sizes,<\/span> and configurations, their use in our electronic circuits is<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> equally as rich! Here are just a few of the ways you\u2019ll see diodes used:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-converting-ac-to-dc\">1. Converting AC to DC<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The conversion process of translating Alternating Current (AC) into Direct Current (DC) can only be handled by diodes! This process of rectifying (converting) current allows you to plug in all of your everyday DC electronics into the AC wall outlet in your house. There are two types of conversion applications that a diode plays its part in:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Half-Wave Rectification.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This conversion only requires one diode. If you send an AC signal into a circuit, your sole diode will clip out the negative part of the signal leaving only the positive input as a direct current wave.<br><\/span><\/span>&nbsp; <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-885\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"604\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NoNegativeHalfcycle.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NoNegativeHalfcycle.png 604w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NoNegativeHalfcycle-300x105.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>A single diode in a half-wave rectifier circuit clipping out the negative end of an AC signal<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Full-Wave Bridge Rectification<\/strong>. This conversion process uses four diodes. And rather than just clipping out the negative part of an AC signal like the half-wave rectifier, this process converts all negative waves in an AC signal into positive waves for a DC-ready signal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large size-full wp-image-886\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"679\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_circuit_with_resistive_load-679x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65670\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_circuit_with_resistive_load-679x1024.png 679w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_circuit_with_resistive_load-199x300.png 199w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_circuit_with_resistive_load-768x1158.png 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_circuit_with_resistive_load-1019x1536.png 1019w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Rectifier_circuit_with_resistive_load.png 1226w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The full-wave bridge rectifier takes things further, converting an entire AC\u2019s positive and negative signal into DC. (<a href=\"https:\/\/canthoautomation.com\/full-wave-bridge-rectifier-circuit-diagram\/\">Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-controlling-voltage-spikes\">2. Controlling Voltage Spikes<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diodes can also be used in applications where unexpected voltage spikes can occur. Diodes in these applications can limit any damage that might occur to a device by absorbing any excess voltage that falls into the range of a diode\u2019s breakdown voltage. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-protecting-your-current\">3. Protecting Your Current<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last, you\u2019ll also find that diodes can protect sensitive circuits. If you\u2019ve ever smashed a battery in the wrong way and nothing blew up, you can thank your friendly diode. Placing a diode in series with the positive side of a power supply ensures that current only flows in the right direction. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get-started-with-diodes\">Get started with diodes<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There you go, the control freak diode and all of its crazy family members! Diodes have many uses, from powering those <\/span>colorful LED lights to converting AC to DC. But why hasn\u2019t the diode received as much publicity as the transistor or integrated circuit? We think it comes down to <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">too many cooks in the kitchen. The first diode was discovered nearly 150 years ago, and since then, hundreds of engineers and scientists have had their hands in the mix to improve this discovery. Despite its long history with many personalities, many people still consider the diode to be the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/magazine\/archive\/2013\/11\/innovations-list\/309536\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fourth most important invention since the wheel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know that Autodesk Fusion includes many free diode libraries that you can start using today? Skip the part creation busywork; try Autodesk Fusion for free today!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how the diode works to control the flow of electric current in a circuit with the use of n-type and p-type semiconductors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3911,"featured_media":35545,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[359],"tags":[207,206],"coauthors":[589],"class_list":["post-869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-electronics-engineering","tag-electronics","tag-pcb","dhig-theme--light"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How does a Diode and LED Work? - Fusion Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what a diode and LED do, how polarity sets current direction, where to find the diode\/LED symbol on schematics, and why knowing the anode-cathode ends prevents reverse wiring mistakes.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How does a Diode and LED Work? - Fusion Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn what a diode and LED do, how polarity sets current direction, where to find the diode\/LED symbol on schematics, and why knowing the anode-cathode ends prevents reverse wiring mistakes.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Fusion Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-10-25T13:59:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-07T13:54:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-12.37.25-PM.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"781\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"583\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Edwin Robledo\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Edwin Robledo\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How does a Diode and LED Work? - Fusion Blog","description":"Learn what a diode and LED do, how polarity sets current direction, where to find the diode\/LED symbol on schematics, and why knowing the anode-cathode ends prevents reverse wiring mistakes.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How does a Diode and LED Work? - Fusion Blog","og_description":"Learn what a diode and LED do, how polarity sets current direction, where to find the diode\/LED symbol on schematics, and why knowing the anode-cathode ends prevents reverse wiring mistakes.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/","og_site_name":"Fusion Blog","article_published_time":"2022-10-25T13:59:32+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-08-07T13:54:44+00:00","og_image":[{"width":781,"height":583,"url":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-12.37.25-PM.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Edwin Robledo","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Edwin Robledo","Est. reading time":"13 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/"},"author":{"name":"Edwin Robledo","@id":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/81f7fc85212bfa6e804abcca6343e62a"},"headline":"Diode Polarity &amp; Symbols Explained","datePublished":"2022-10-25T13:59:32+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-07T13:54:44+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/"},"wordCount":2256,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-28-at-12.37.25-PM.jpg","keywords":["Electronics","PCB"],"articleSection":["Electronics Engineering"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/","url":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/diode-led-work\/","name":"How does a Diode and LED Work? 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I joined the EAGLE team 25 years ago to satisfy my passion for being involved with circuit board designs. I\u2019m the Technical Marketing Engineer for Fusion 360 electronics and part of the Fusion 360 community team. I have published best practices articles, Blogs, hundreds of video tutorials, and hosted several electronic design bootcamps. 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