Forward biased of the zener diode:

1- Construct the following circuit:

Figure 1

• Reverse biased of the zener diode:

1- Construct the following circuit:

Figure 2

2- Adjust Vs so that VD increases in steps of 0.1V from 0 to 0.8 as shown in table

1.1. Measure and record in table 1.1 the voltage across the resistor and the current
through the zener diode.
 Table 1.1
Vs Vd Vr Id

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

3- Record the values obtained in table 1.1 and graph the forward biased
characteristics curve of the zener diode .

Reverse biased of the zener diode:

1- Construct the following circuit:

2- Adjust Vs so that the voltage across the resistance equal to each value in table
1.2. Measure and record the zener voltage and Iz in table1.2.
 Table 1.2

Vr Vs Iz Vz

50mV

0.1V

0.5V

1V

5V

10V

15V

20V

25V

5- Using the values in table 1.2, construct a graph of the reverse characteristics of a
Zener diode. Compare the curve with that of a reverse biased ordinary diode.

6- Place a variable load resistor to the zener diode, change its value from 100Ω
to 100kΩ and measure the change in the zener voltage and Zener current.

Comment the relationship of load resistor, Zener current and Zener voltage.