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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-diode-forward-voltage-varies

Which is true about forward voltage drop in a diode?

It is lower in some diode types than in others.

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  1. It is proportional to peak inverse voltage
  2. It indicates that the diode is defective
  3. It is lower in some diode types than in others ✔

Why: Different diode materials and designs have different forward voltage drops. That drop reduces the voltage left for the load.

Huh, didn't know that: A silicon diode often has a larger forward drop than a germanium diode.

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Why did the diode lose a little voltage? It had to pay the forward drop toll.
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References

Answer: It is lower in some diode types than in others. Different diode materials and designs have different forward voltage drops. That drop reduces the voltage left for the load.

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool, T6B01 ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    A. It is lower in some diode types than in others
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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