Experiment 5A: Zener Diode

5A.1 Objectives
To verify the DC characteristics of a Zener diode.

5A.2 Background
A zener diode is designed to operate safely at the reverse breakdown voltage. The symbol for a
zener diode is shown in the following circuit.

(a) (b)
Fig. 4A.1: Zener characteristic curves: (a) Zener biasing, (b) Characteristic curve

The breakdown voltage of a zener diode is called the zener voltage (Vz). The zener voltage can be
from 3V to 200V. As shown in the characteristic curve, the reverse current (zener current)
increases very rapidly for a very slight increase in zener voltage at the zener voltage region. In
circuits, the zener current (IZ) is limited to a safe value by a resistor (R2) in series with the zener
(CR1).

Fig. 4A.2: Zener regulation.

A zener diode (CR1) can be configured in a circuit to control the out-put voltage (Vo) so that it
equals the zener voltage (Vz).The zener diode voltage regulator maintains the output voltage (Vo)
equal to the zener voltage for changes in the input (line) voltage (VA) and load current (IL).
NEW TERMS AND WORDS
Zener diode - a diode designed to operate in the avalanche region, maintaining a relatively constant
voltage drop over a range of current flows. The avalanche operating area of a diode occurs when
the cathode is positive with respect to the anode.
Zener voltage - the nearly constant voltage produced by a zener diode.
Voltage regulator – a circuit that maintains a constant output voltage when both input voltage and
output loads change.
Avalanche - the reverse voltage point where a PN junction breaks down to pass high values of
current.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

 Reverse biased resistance of a diode is very large, so there is little current flow until
breakdown voltage is reached (where reverse current increases rapidly). Breakdown
voltage is also called avalanche or zener voltage and ranges from 3V to 200V.
 Zener diodes are PN junction diodes designed to operate at the avalanche voltage.
 The schematic symbol for a zener diode has a Z-shaped line at its cathode.
 A zener diode has a forward voltage the same as a conventional diode.
 DC characteristic curve for a zener diode, in forward bias, is the same as a rectifier diode.
In reverse bias direction, current flow is very small until zener voltage is reached. The knee
of the curve is the zener region (breakdown point).
 Zener test current, specified by the manufacturer, is the current at which the zener voltage
is within the tolerance range.
 The part of the curve where the current increases slowly with increases in the zener voltage
is the soft region.
 At the stiff region of the curve, the current increases rapidly with very small increases in
the zener voltage.

5A.3 Pre-Lab
4.3.1 Theoretical Calculations
Read the lecture notes about the Zener diode. Calculate the output voltage theoretically and draw
waveform of the following circuits to compare it with the practical results. Furthermore, bring the
simulated result while entering into the lab.

5A.4 Equipment
• Multi-meter
• Dual DC supply
• Zener Diodes 6.8V
 • 3 Resistors: 220Ω, 62Ω, 10Ω
• 1 variable resistor: 1K

5A.5 Procedure
1. Check Zener diode with DMM connecting positive terminal to anode and negative
terminal to cathode.
2. Check diode in reverse connection and record the readings of DMM.
3. Connect the circuit as shown in figure below.

Fig. 4A.3: Zener rectification: Zener diode with forward biasing

4. Adjust the negative power supply to -2 Vdc at test point between R1 and R2.
5. Measure the voltage across Zener diode.
VD1= _________________

6. What your value indicate in the above step that diode is

1. Forward bias
2. Reverse bias
7. Increase the negative variable supply to -2.5 Vdc at test point and measure diode voltage
again.
VD1= _________________
8. Based on the above readings what would you conclude that the zener diode is functioning
like a rectifier diode when it is forward bias.
9. Connect the circuit as shown in figure below, Now, positive variable supply is in the
circuit.
 Fig. 4A.4: Zener regulation: Zener diode with reverse biasing

10. In the following steps you will determine the zener diode reverse current versus the
reverse bias voltage by recording measurements and calculations in the table.
11. Set the positive supply as said in the following table, Measure Diode voltage, Resistor
voltage and compute Zener Current.

5A.6 Lab Report

A typeset (not hand-written), group lab report (not exceeding 5 pages including title page) is
required and is due before 4pm one week after the lab. Submit report in the DEE office.

5A.7 Results
Tabulate the measured Diode and Resistor voltages and computed Zener Current.

VA VD1 VR IZ
6.0 V
7.0 V
8.0 V
10.0 V

1. Sketch a graph between IZ and VD1.

2. Compare your graph with standard zener diode VI characteristics curve of your book.
3. IZ is about 0 milli A, when voltage across diode is less than 7 Vdc. State its reason in
detail.
5A.8 Assessment
CLO CLO Attributes Bloom Performance Indicators
 Does his/her part
Teamwork: Work effectively with
CLO1 A1, A2  Listens to other’s ideas
team members  Does not argue
 Proper wiring of the circuit
 Correct use of instruments (signal generator,
GRS Skills: Utilize techniques and skills in
CLO2 C3, P3 oscilloscope)
the laboratory experiments  Data recorded in table
 Necessary calculation in table performed
Ethics and Safety: Adhere to the
CLO3 P2 As per rubric
instructions of laboratory safety
Written: express points clearly and  Report is structured properly
CLO4 effectively through presentation C1  Figures and Graphs annotated
and/or Report.  Language is clear
Formulate to solve the engineering
 Relate experiment with theoretical concept discussed
problems: formulate and analyses to
CLO5 C2 in class
solve the electrical engineering  Describe relevant mathematical equations
Report
problems.
Design and evaluate operational
performance: Use the fundamental  Discuss discrepancies between theoretical, simulation
CLO6 principles to design the system or C4 and experimental results
task based on the given  Possible sources of discrepancies and ways to improve
specifications
Experiment 5B: Zener Regulator: Load
Regulation

5B.1 Objectives
To demonstrate zener voltage regulation in the presence of a varying load, load regulation.

5B.2 Background
 Zener diodes are used in voltage regulator circuits because of the nearly constant zener
voltage.
 The zener diode maintains an output voltage that is equal to the zener voltage, regardless
of variations of the supply voltage and load resistance.
 Total current in a zener diode voltage regulator circuit is the sum of the zener current and
the load current.
 Zener diodes function well for voltage regulation because IZ can vary significantly with
small changes in applied voltage when operating in the breakdown region.
 Increases in load current are compensated for by equal decreases in zener current; this
characteristic provides the load regulation property of a voltage regulator.
 Percent load regulation is a measure of the voltage change across the load due to a change
in load.

5B.3 Pre-Lab
4.3.1 Theoretical Calculations
Read the lecture notes about the diode clipping and clamping circuits. Calculate the output voltage
theoretically and draw waveform of the following circuits to compare it with the practical results.
Furthermore, bring the simulated result while entering into the lab.

5B.4 Equipment
• DMM
• Dual DC supply
• 1 Zener (6.8V)
• 3 Resistors: 10 Ω, 62 Ω, and 100Ω
• 1 Variable Resistor of 1K Ω

5B.5 Procedure
1. Connect the Zener diode voltage regulation as shown in Fig. 4B1.
 Fig. 4B.1: Zener regulation: Load regulation

2. Turn the potentiometer to maximum at 1 KΩ, and adjust the positive variable supply to
8.75V.
3. In the following procedure steps, you will determine load regulation by changing the load
current and measuring the effect on V0.
4. Turn potentiometer R4 to adjust the voltage drop across R5 TO 1 V. Use DMM to
measure it, this action set IL to 10 mA. You will record the data in the following table.
5. Keep changing the R4 to adjust the tabulated voltage across R5 and record the remaining
values in the table.

5B.6 Lab Report

A typeset (not hand-written), group lab report (not exceeding 5 pages including title page) is
required and is due before 4pm one week after the lab. Submit report in the DEE office.

5B.7 Results
1.
VR5 IL VO VR3 IZ
VDC Milli A VDC mVDC MA

1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3
5.0

2. Sketch a graph between output voltage and load current.

3. The graph should be a plot of typical VO versus IL data for the zener regulator circuit.
4. Compare your data and plot of typical data, your measurement tolerance is about 15%.
 5. After a certain current value the regulator loses control after 30 mA, state the reason why
it is?
Reason:

5.8 Assessment
CLO CLO Attributes Bloom Performance Indicators
 Does his/her part
Teamwork: Work effectively with
CLO1 A1, A2  Listens to other’s ideas
team members  Does not argue
 Proper wiring of the circuit
 Correct use of instruments (signal generator,
GRS Skills: Utilize techniques and skills in
CLO2 C3, P3 oscilloscope)
the laboratory experiments  Data recorded in table
 Necessary calculation in table performed
Ethics and Safety: Adhere to the
CLO3 P2 As per rubric
instructions of laboratory safety
Written: express points clearly and  Report is structured properly
CLO4 effectively through presentation C1  Figures and Graphs annotated
and/or Report.  Language is clear
Formulate to solve the engineering
 Relate experiment with theoretical concept discussed
problems: formulate and analyses to
CLO5 C2 in class
solve the electrical engineering  Describe relevant mathematical equations
Report
problems.
Design and evaluate operational
performance: Use the fundamental  Discuss discrepancies between theoretical, simulation
CLO6 principles to design the system or C4 and experimental results
task based on the given  Possible sources of discrepancies and ways to improve
specifications