Coast Guard Exams
Question 77Electricity/Electronics - 1st Asst/Chief70% to pass

When using an ohmmeter to test a semiconductor diode, you find a low resistance in both the forward and reverse bias directions. What condition does this indicate?

AI Explanation
The correct answer is C) a short. When testing a semiconductor diode with an ohmmeter, a low resistance in both the forward and reverse bias directions indicates that the diode is shorted. This means the diode has a direct connection between its anode and cathode, bypassing the p-n junction that normally allows current to flow in only one direction. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) an open would indicate no continuity or infinite resistance, B) good resistive quality would show high resistance in the reverse bias direction, and D) good capacitive quality is not the correct interpretation for a low resistance reading in both directions.