Objectives

This experiment consists of two parts. In the first part of the experiment, there are tasks that we
have to practically understand which is to evaluate the behavior of 2 competing diodes.
Specifically, to determine the operation of the circuit by making assumption that both of the
diodes are conducting by calculating current in each branch. We also need to calculate the value
V 5 k
VA
VB
of current I, and 3 voltages:
,
and
. The calculated measurements are to be
collected in a table. We are also required to use LTSpice simulation to observe the current
through both diodes and try explain the behavior of the circuit and the competing diodes. This
will lead to strengthening our theoretical knowledge about the diodes.
In the second part of the experiment, we deal with a Zener diode. We are to analyze the Zener
under no load condition, the effect of change of power supply to the regulated voltage, and the
impact of load towards regulation voltage. This part of the experiment also required us to use
LTSpice simulation to come out with a theoretical result. The corresponding result will be
compared with the measured data.

Procedure
1) Behavior of 2 competing diodes
Materials
Components
5k, 10k
Diode 4001

Quantity
1
2

The diode IV characteristics can be displayed by building the circuit on breadboard for the circuit
of Figure 1.

Figure 1: Competing Diodes

1) Diodes 4001 and resistors is connected on breadboard as per diagram above.

2) Function generator is used to supply voltage source of 10V to the circuit.
V 5 k
VA
VB
3) Voltage is measures at
,
,
and current is measured at I .
4) All the measured voltage and current is recorded in Table 1.

2) The behavior of Zener diode

Materials
Components
Zener Diode BZX85C 6V8
0.5k and 3k

Quantity
1
1

The behavior of Zener diode can be displayed by building the circuit on breadboard for the
circuit of Figure 2.

Figure 2: Zener Diode as voltage regulator

1) Zener Diode BZX85C 6V8 and resistors is built on breadboard as per diagram above.
2) The Zener Diode BZX85C 6V8 is first connected without load.
3) The function generator is used to supply voltage source of 10V to the circuit.
I
I
I
Vo
4) Current is measured at 1 , 2 , 3 and voltage is measured at
.
5) The measured current
6) and voltage is recorded on Table 2.
7) Then, this experiment is repeated by connecting the Zener Diode BZX85C 6V8 with
load resistor 0.5k and 3k.
8) Step 5 and 6 is repeated.