50
HOW TO READ ELECTRIC PARTS
AN OVERVIEW OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
Following is an overview of electrical components representative of the many electrical components related to the
control and warning instruments in automobiles
DIODE
Signal
Anode (A) O—
W
(Electric current)
Not flows x
View of an electrode
o —(
|
) —o
o — c|
Color Code
In checking a diode with a tester be careful about the tester's polarity. The tester's ( - ) means positive electrical
potential, and ( + ) means negative electrical potential To check a diode s current. Touch the tester s ( - ) lead to the
anode and the tester s (+ ) lead to the cathode.
ILLUMINATING DIODE
Anode (A) ■
{ 1 5 = =
V
I F *5 5 -7 1 — 1 Anode
\
Flow of electric
current
In setting the two battery in tester for the 10kii range, touch the tester's ( - ) lead to the anode (A), and the ( + ) lead to
the cathode (K). it lights up
Cathode (K)
— 0
Flows
(Electric current)
K
A
«j) - o
o — | - w -
Point
Diode Symbol
• Cathode (K)
Cathode (K)
(A)
The nature of diode is to allow a current to flow in only one
direction. It is used in a circuit when desiring to let current flow
in only one direction, or as a rectifier when changing an
alternating current to a direct current.
The different terminals of a diode are called anode (A) and
cathode (K). Electric current flows from anode to cathode, but
never from cathode to anode
o
An illuminating diode emits light from the contact surface of a
semiconductor when an electric current flows in its forward
direction.