ASSIGNMENT II

Q.1 Draw a labelled diagram of a transformer center full wave

rectifier circuit. State its working principle. Show the input- output
waveforms.
Ans.

In a transformer centre tap circuit, two diodes are used one for each of
the half cycle. A multiple winding transformer is used whose secondary
winding is split equally into two halves with a common centre tapped
connection. This configuration results in each diode conducting in turn
when its anode terminal is positive with respect to the transformer centre
point producing an output for both the half cycles, twice that for the half
wave rectifier so it is 100% efficient.
Q2 Draw a labelled diagram of a Bridge rectifier circuit. State its
working principle. Show the input- output waveforms.
Ans.
Full wave bridge rectifier is a single-phase rectifier that uses four
individual rectifying diodes connecting in a closed loop bridge
configuration to produce the desired output. The four pairs of diodes
labelled from D1 to D4 are arranged in series pairs with only two diodes
conducting current during each half cycle.
Q.3 Name the semiconductor device that can be used to regulate an
unregulated DC power supply. With the help of I-V characteristics
of this device, explain its working principle.
Ans. The semiconductor device that can be used to regulate an
unregulated DC power supply is a Zenner Diode.
Zenner diode is designed to operate under reverse bias in the
breakdown region. Zenner diode is fabricated by heavily doping both p
and n sides of the junction. Due to this, the thickness of depletion region
is reduced to less than 1µm which in turn increases the potential
gradient of the junction to extremely high value. With the increase in
reverse voltage the potential gradient at the junction becomes significant
and at a reverse bias voltage, VR=VZ, it is strong enough to pull valence
electrons from the host atoms on the p-side which are accelerated to the
n-side. This is why reverse current is very sharp at the breakdown. After
breakdown a large current can be obtained without any change in the
reverse bias voltage.
In general, when Zenner diode is used in reverse breakdown region, the
voltage across it remains practically constant equal to the breakdown
voltage VZ for a large change in reverse current. This becomes the
working principle for a Zenner diode to be used as a voltage regulator.
Q.4 Why is a Zener diode considered as a special purpose
semiconductor diode? Draw the I-V characteristics of Zener diode.
Describe briefly with the help of a circuit diagram.
Ans. A Zenner diode is considered as a special purpose semiconductor
diode because it is a diode that has been specially designed to operate
under reverse bias in the breakdown region.
Working: In the figure above Vin is inregulated input d.c. voltage whose
fluctuations are to be regulated. For this Zenner diode is connected in
reverse bias acroos a fluctuating d.c. input voltage Vin through a series
resistance Rs. If the input voltage increases, the current through Rs and
the Zenner diode also increases. This increases the voltage drop across
Rs without any change in the voltage across the Zenner diode. This is
because in the breakdon region, Zenner voltage remains constant even
when the current in the Zenner diode changes. Similarly if the input
voltage decreases, The current hence the voltage across Rs decreases
without any change in voltage of Zenner diode. Thus the Zenner diode
acts as a voltage regulator.
Q5. Explain with diagram the working of negative clamper.

During the positive half cycle of the input AC signal, the diode is forward
biased and hence no signal appears at the output. In forward biased
condition, the diode allows electric current through it. This current will
flow to the capacitor and charges it to the peak value of input voltage in
inverse polarity -Vm. As input current or voltage decreases after attaining
its maximum value Vm, the capacitor holds the charge until the diode
remains forward biased.

During the negative half cycle of the input AC signal, the diode is reverse
biased and hence the signal appears at the output. In reverse biased
condition, the diode does not allow electric current through it. So, the
input current directly flows towards the output.

When the negative half cycle begins, the diode is in the non-conducting
state and the charge stored in the capacitor is discharged (released).
Therefore, the voltage appeared at the output is equal to the sum of the
voltage stored in the capacitor (-Vm) and the input voltage (-Vm) (I.e. Vo =
-Vm- Vm = -2Vm) which have the same polarity with each other. As a
result, the signal shifted downwards.

Q6. For the circuit shown:

Find: (i) the output voltage (ii) the voltage drop across series
resistance (iii) the current through Zenner diode.

Ans.

(i) Voutput=VZ

Voutput= 50V

(ii) IR=Vin-VZ

IR=120-50 =70V

(iii) I=IZ+IL
IL=VLOAD / RLOAD = 50/ (10*10-3)

IL= 5*10-3A

I=Voltage drop/ R =70/ (5*10-3)

I=14*10-3A

IZ= (14-5) *10-3

IZ=9mA

Q7. For the circuit shown

Find the maximum and minimum values of Zenner diode current.

Ans.(i) Maximum value of Zenner diode current:

V=120V, VZ=50V=VL
Voltage drop=120-50=70V
IL=VL/RL=50/ (10*10-3)
IL=5 mA
I=Voltage drop/R= 70/ (5*10-3)
I=14 mA
IZmax= I-IL = 14-5= 9 mA

(ii) Minimum Zenner Current

V=80V, VZ=50V=VL
Voltage drop=80-50=30V
IL=VL/RL=50/ (10*10-3)
IL=5 mA
I=Voltage drop/R= 30/ (5*10-3)
I=6 mA
IZmin= I-IL = 6-5= 1 mA
Q8. A 7.2 V Zenner is used in the circuit shown in Fig. 3 and the load
current is to vary from 12 to 100 mA. Find the value of series
resistance R to maintain a voltage of 7.2 V across the load. The input
voltage is constant at 12V and the minimum Zenner current is 10
mA.

Ans. VZ= 7.2V=VL, Vin=12V

IZ= 10mA
Vin=IR + VZ
IR= Vin-VZ
=12-7.2=4.8V
When the load current is maximum i.e. 100mA, the minimum Zenner
current will occur.
I=IL+IZ
I= (100+10) mA
I=110 mA
R=V/I= 4.8/ (110*10-3)
R=43.6Ω

Q9. The Zenner diode shown has VZ = 18 V. The voltage across the
load stays at 18 V as long as IZ is maintained between 200 mA and 2
A. Find the value of series resistance R so that E0 remains 18 V while
input voltage Ei is free to vary between 22 V to 28V.

Ans.
VL=VZ=E0=18V
IZ= 0.2A – 2A
V=Ei=22V – 28V
RL=18Ω
Zenner current (0.2A) will be minimum when the input voltage is
minimum(22V).
IL=VL/RL =18/18= 1A
I=IZ+IL =0.2+1=1.2A
R= (V-VZ) /I= (22-18)/1.2=3.33Ω

Q10. In the circuit shown, the voltage across the load is to be

maintained at 12 V as load current varies from 0 to 200 mA. Design
the regulator. Also find the  maximum wattage rating of zener diode.

Ans.
By designing the regulator here means to find the values
of Zenner voltage (VZ) and series resistor(R). Since the load voltage is to
be maintained at 12 V, we will use a Zenner diode of Zenner voltage 12 V
i.e.,
VZ=VL=12V
IL=0-200mA
V=16V
Vs=V-VZ=16-12=4V

Maximum power rating of Zenner diode

PMAX=

Q11. Sketch the shape of the output voltage waveform for this
“clipper” circuit, assuming an ideal diode with no forward voltage
drop:
Ans. Output Waveform

Q12. Draw the output waveform shape for this circuit, assuming an
ideal diode (no forward voltage drop and no reverse leakage):

Ans. Output Waveform

2Vm

Vm