by Colin McIntosh, The Cambridge English Dictionary is constantly being updated and expanded to reflect the interests of our users. One area of particular interest to our users is that of English Language Teaching (ELT), and a number of ELT terms have recently been added to the dictionary.y Colin McIntosh, The Cambridge English Dictionary is constantly being updated and expanded to reflect the interests of our users. One area of particular interest to our users is that of English Language Teaching (ELT), and a number of ELT terms have recently been added to the dictionary.
A diode is a one-way âvalveâ for electric current, analogous to a check valve for those familiar with plumbing and hydraulic systems. Ideally, a diode provides unimpeded flow for current in one direction (little or no resistance), but prevents flow in the other direction (infinite resistance).
The purpose of a diode is to block current from flowing in one direction Diodes are typically used to protect a circuit if the power source is connected in the wrong direction. A simple diode allows current to flow through unimpeded in one direction, but completely blocks any flow in the other direction. However, there are other types of diodes, such as semiconductor diodes, that block current flow in both directions unless there is a certain amount of current.