2.1 Introduction

The preceding chapter was concerned primarily with introducing the practical considerations of diodes while presenting them in DC circuits. This chapter will extend the discussion by focusing on AC circuit applications. A prime example is AC to DC conversion, the concept behind most electronic power supplies. It also includes the basics behind regulation and limiting/level shifting circuits such as clippers and clampers. The inherent asymmetry in the conductance of diodes, that is, their sensitivity to the direction of current flow, is what makes these circuits possible. Non-ideal effects such as a diode’s forward voltage drop might be ignored in some instances but may be quite important in others.