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Difference between Active and Passive Devices ?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 10:56 am
by Arvind
The common difference between the active and passive devices is :
the devices that provides gain are active devices and those who don't provide gain are passive devices.

Diode is taken as active device but diode does not provide gain. so, what is the basic difference between active and passive devices ?

Re: Difference between Active and Passive Devices ?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:06 pm
by Narveer
The Point you explained is one of the criteria of being an active device. For sure Diode is an active device because :

1. Diode being a non linear device has the capablity to highly modulate the current following through it, if we do very small modulation in the voltage applied across it.
2. Special Diodes like Tunnel diodes can act as amplifiers when used in its negitive resistance region
3. They have inbuilt potential hence can be used as source of energy (Solar cells)
4. Diodes being wave shapers, they can be used as good switches,
5. We have used many times diodes as a transition switch from low current source to high current region.

I hope this answered your query, May be other members can also put more light on the subject.