So how does a diode module or diode block work?
For you to be able to understand how a diode module works, you first need to understand how a single diode actually works.
What is a diode?
A diode is a device that allows current to flow in only one direction. That means if you add a diode to an electrical circuit, the current can only flow in one direction.
For example, here the current can only flow from point 2 to point 1 but if it attempts to flow from point 1 to point 2, it will be blocked by the diode. Very simple, right?
As a matter of fact, this diode symbol also tells us the same thing. The arrow says the current can flow in one direction, meaning from point 2 to point 1, and if it attempts to flow in the other direction, it will be blocked. So the little line here is the block sign.
Diode symbol
In the picture below, you see a symbol of a diode on the left and an actual diode on the right.
Again, as you see, we have the little line on the top of the actual diode as well.
This is a simple indicator to let you know that current will be blocked if it attempts to flow from point 1 to 2.
But if it attempts to flow from point 2 to 1, the diode will let the current pass.
How does this diode module work?
Now getting back to our diode module, you see that we have four diodes inside this module.
We have four points or terminals on each side of this module.
There is one diode between each of these two terminals. That means we have a diode between terminal 1 and 2 and three other diodes for the rest of the terminals.
Now we think you already have a good idea about how this module works.
Yes, as you properly already guessed, this module only allows the current to pass from terminal 2 to 1, 4 to 3, 6 to 5, and 8 to 7.
That simply means if we add this module to an electrical circuit, the current can only flow from the bottom four terminals to the four terminals at the top.
And if the current tries to flow from the opposite direction, it will simply be blocked!
As you can see, this is something that is clearly stated by the four diode symbols on the module as well.
Inside the diode module
If you take a closer look here, you can see the diodes inside the module here as well. As you can see, there is a line on each end of these diodes which shows that if the current attempts to flow from top to bottom direction, it will be blocked.
So you use this diode module when you need the current to flow from only one direction.
Where can I order any of these diode modules?
This is a high-quality diode module made by Phoenix Contact in Germany:
You can use this link EMG 22-DIO 4E-1N5408 to order this module online.
You can also use the links below to order other types of Phoenix Contact diode modules:
If you have any questions regarding how to use this diode module or about diodes in general feel free to add them in the comment section. We read each and every comment and reply to it in less than 24 hours.
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The RealPars Team
