Testing diodes, Fig. 12 – Actron AutoAnalyzer CP7665 User Manual

Page 11

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11

Fig. 12

leads across diode and view
display.

Display will show one of three
things:

• A typical voltage drop of

around 0.7V.

• A voltage drop of 0 volts.

• A “1” will appear indicating the

multimeter is overranged.

7. Switch RED and BLACK test

leads and repeat Step 6.

8. Test Results

If the display showed:

• A voltage drop of 0 volts in

both directions, then the diode
is shorted and needs to be
replaced.

• A “1” appears in both direc-

tions, then the diode is an open
circuit and needs to be re-
placed.

• The diode is good if the dis-

play reads around 0.5V–0.7V
in one direction and a “1” ap-
pears in the other direction
indicating the multimeter is
overranged.

Testing Diodes

A diode is an electrical component
that allows current to only flow in one
direction. When a positive voltage,
generally greater than 0.7V, is ap-
plied to the anode of a diode, the
diode will turn on and allow current to
flow. If this same voltage is applied to
the cathode, the diode would remain
off and no current would flow. There-
fore, in order to test a diode, you must
check it in both directions (i.e. anode-
to-cathode, and cathode-to-anode).
Diodes are typically found in alterna-
tors on automobiles.

Performing Diode Test (see Fig. 12):

Anode

Cathode

Black

Red

1. Insert BLACK test lead into

COM test lead jack.

2. Insert RED test lead into

test lead jack.

3. Turn multimeter rotary switch

to

function.

4. Touch RED and BLACK test

leads together to test continu-
ity.

Check display – should reset to
0.00.

5. Disconnect one end of diode

from circuit.

Diode must be totally isolated
from circuit in order to test its
functionality.

6. Connect RED and BLACK test

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