Starting Electronics needs your help! Please make a donation to help cover our hosting and other costs. Click the donate button to send a donation of any amount.
Created on: 30 July 2012
Diodes for beginners in electronics with diode symbol used in circuit diagrams and diode polarity (anode and cathode). A diode allows current to flow through it in one direction only.
Two diodes are shown below that are commonly used in electronic projects. The diode on the top has the part number 1N4148 and the diode below it is a 1N4007.
The schematic symbol for a diode is shown below. Notice the similarity between the diode symbol and the LED symbol. The LED is a special type of diode.
A diode has a cathode (-) and anode (+). In the schematic symbol, the tip of the triangle with the line on top of it is the cathode. The cathode is marked on the body of a diode by a band as shown below.
Current can flow from the anode to the cathode only and never from the cathode to the anode – the diode is like a one way valve.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases: