1 Answer
A diode itself is neither AC (alternating current) nor DC (direct current) voltage. It’s a component that controls the direction of current flow in a circuit.
Here’s the key point:
So, diodes are used in circuits to control the flow of both AC and DC, but they don’t themselves represent a particular type of voltage; they just have the property of allowing current to flow in one direction more easily than the other.
Here’s the key point:
- DC voltage: If you apply a DC voltage to a diode, the current will flow in one direction, from the positive to the negative side (anode to cathode), when the voltage is above the "forward voltage" threshold (typically around 0.7V for a silicon diode). If the voltage is reversed (negative on the anode), the diode will block the current (unless it breaks down at very high voltages).
- AC voltage: When AC voltage is applied, the polarity of the voltage changes direction periodically (alternating from positive to negative). In this case, the diode only allows current to flow in one direction, blocking the current when the polarity is reversed. This is why diodes are commonly used in rectifiers to convert AC to DC.
So, diodes are used in circuits to control the flow of both AC and DC, but they don’t themselves represent a particular type of voltage; they just have the property of allowing current to flow in one direction more easily than the other.