These simple multimeter tests are able to detect these problems very quickly and easily.ĭiodes of most types can be tested in this way - power rectifier diodes, signal diodes, zener / voltage reference diodes, varactor diodes and many more forms of diode can all be tested. Most failures are catastrophic, rendering the component completely inoperable.
This form of testing is able to detect whether transistor or a diode is operational, and although it cannot provide details of the parameters, this is seldom a problem because these components will have been tested at manufacture and it is comparatively rare for the performance to fall to a point where they do not operate in a circuit. However it is still quite easy to perform a simple go / no-go test using the simplest of equipment. While many digital multimeters these days have a specific capability for testing diodes and sometimes transistors, not all do, especially the older analogue multimeters that are still in widespread use.
Test meter basics Analogue multimeter How does an analogue multimeter work DMM digital multimeter How a DMM works DMM accuracy & resolution How to buy best digital multimeter How to use a multimeter Voltage measurement Current measurements Resistance measurements Diode & transistor test Fault finding transistor circuits How to Test a Transistor & a Diode with a Multimeter It is very quick and easy to learn how to test a transistor and a diode with a analogue multimeter - normally this is good enough for most applications.