ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department
M a ni l a

Experiment No. 7
Zener Diode

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Submitted by:
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Ortiz, Marc Daniel O.

201511187
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Submitted to:
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Engr. Edwin Astorga

Professor
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November 4, 2020

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 I. Objectives

• To exhibit the characteristic of a zener diode.

• To investigate how zener diode will maintain voltage regulation with variable
supply.

II. Theory

The region of a unique characteristic is employed to the design of zener diodes which
when presented together with the semiconductor diode we can see the difference that
is shown on figure 4.1. This is done to ensure that the direction of conduction of each
is clearly understood together with the required polarity of the applied voltage. For the

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semiconductor diode the “on” state will support a current in the direction of the arrow

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in the symbol. Noted also that the polarity of VD and VZ are the same as would be

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obtained if each were a resistive element.
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The location of the zener region can be controlled by varying the doping levels. An
increase in doping producing an increase in the number of added impurities, which will
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decrease the zener potential. Zener diodes are available having zener potential of 1.8 to
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200V with power ratings from ¼ to 50 Watts. Because of its high temperature and
current capability, silicon is usually preferred in manufacturing zener diodes.
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Figure 1: Zener Diode Schematic Symbol and Characteristic Curve

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 The zener diode is a special type of diode designed to operate at voltages that
exceed the breakdown voltage or peak reverse voltage. This breakdown region is
called the Zener region.

The breakdown voltage of a zener diode (Vz) is determined by the resistivity of the
diode which is controlled by the doping technique used during the manufacturing.
The rated breakdown voltage represents the reverse voltage at the zener test current.
The ability of a zener diode to dissipate power decreases as the temperature
increases. Power dissipation ratings are given for specific temperatures. A derating
factor is given by the diode manufacturer to determine the power rating at different
temperatures. A zener diode can be used to stabilize or to regulate voltage.

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 III. Materials

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IV. Procedure

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1. Set the DC voltage source to 20V
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2. Connect the circuit diagram as shown from Figure 3.1.
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3. Measure the voltage across the zener diode and record it on the table provided
(Table 3.1).
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4. Change the voltage source (Vs) to each value listed in Table 3.1. Record the
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voltage across the zener diode on the datasheet.

5. Calculate the zener diode current (Iz) for each voltage value. Record your result
on the data and results table (Hint: Calculate the current in the 300Ω resistor).
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6. Plot the Vz and Iz data points and draw the reverse-bias curve.
7. Calculate the zener diode power dissipation (Pz) at Vs = 20V.
8. Connect a 75Ω resistor (RL). Change the source voltage to 20V. Record the
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zener voltage on the datasheet (Table 3.2).

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9. Replace RL with a 100Ω resistor, turn on the Vs and record the zener voltage
on the data sheet. Repeat the procedure for each of the following resistors:
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200Ω, 300Ω, 600Ω, 1KΩ, and OPEN (no resistor).

10. Calculate the current in the 300Ω resistor (I), load current (IL), zener current
(Iz) for each value of RL listed on the data sheet. Record your answers on Table
3.2.

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 V. Data and Results
Table 3.1

Vs (V) Vz (V) Iz (mA)

0 0 0

4 4 0

6 5.03 3.233

10 5.07 16.433

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20 5.10 49.667

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25 5.108 66.307

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30
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Table 3.2
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RL (Ohms) Vz (V) Is (mA) IL (mA) Iz (mA)

75 4 53.333 53.333 0
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100 4.973 50.0900 49.7300 0.3600

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200 5.082 49.7267 25.4100 24.3167

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300 5.089 49.7033 16.9633 32.7400

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600 5.095 49.6833 8.4917 41.1916

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1k 5.097 49.6767 5.097 44.5797

Open 5.10 49.6667 0 49.6667

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 VI. Sample Calculations

Table 3.1
𝑉𝑠 − 𝑉𝑧
Formula: 𝐼𝑧 = 𝑃𝑧 = 𝑉𝑧 × 𝐼𝑧
𝑅
0−0
𝑉𝑠 = 0; 𝐼𝑧 = (1000) = 0 𝑃𝑧 = 0 × 0 = 0
300
4−4
𝑉𝑠 = 4; 𝐼𝑧 = (1000) = 0 𝑃𝑧 = 4 × 0 = 0
300
6−5.03
𝑉𝑠 = 6; 𝐼𝑧 = (1000) = 3.233 𝑚𝐴 𝑃𝑧 = 5.03𝑣 × 3.233𝑥10−3 𝐴 = 0.0163 𝑊
300
10−5.07
𝑉𝑠 = 10; 𝐼𝑧 = (1000) = 16.433 𝑚𝐴 𝑃𝑧 = 5.07𝑣 × 16.433𝑥10−3 𝐴 = 83.32 𝑊
300
20−5.10
𝑉𝑠 = 20; 𝐼𝑧 = (1000) = 49.677 𝑚𝐴 𝑃𝑧 = 5.10𝑣 × 49.677𝑥10−3 𝐴 = 248.39 𝑊

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25−5.108
𝑉𝑠 = 25; 𝐼𝑧 = (1000) = 66.307 𝑚𝐴 𝑃𝑧 = 5.108𝑣 × 66.307𝑥10−3 𝐴 = 338.7 𝑊

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30−5.114
𝑉𝑠 = 30; 𝐼𝑧 = (1000) = 82.953 𝑚𝐴 𝑃𝑧 = 5.114𝑣 × 82.953𝑥10−3 𝐴 = 424.2 𝑊

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300

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Table 3.2
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𝑉𝑠 − 𝑉𝑧 𝑉
Formula: Vz = VL Is = Iz +IL 𝐼𝑠 = 𝐼𝐿 = 𝑅𝐿
𝑅
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𝐿
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20−4 4
𝑅𝐿 = 75; 𝐼𝑠 = (1000) = 53.33 𝑚𝐴; 𝐼𝐿 = (1000) = 53.33 𝑚𝐴
300 75

Iz = 53.33 – 53.33 = 0
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20−4.973 4.973
𝑅𝐿 = 100; 𝐼𝑠 = (1000) = 50.09 𝑚𝐴; 𝐼𝐿 = (1000) = 49.73 𝑚𝐴
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300 100

Iz = 50.09 – 49.73 = 0.36 mA

20−5.082 5.082
𝑅𝐿 = 200; 𝐼𝑠 = (1000) = 49.7267 𝑚𝐴; 𝐼𝐿 = (1000) = 25.41 𝑚𝐴
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300 200
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Iz = 49.7267– 25.41 = 24.3167 mA

20−5.089 5.089
𝑅𝐿 = 300; 𝐼𝑠 = (1000) = 49.7033 𝑚𝐴; 𝐼𝐿 = (1000) = 16.9633 𝑚𝐴
300 300
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Iz = 49.7033 – 16.9633 = 32.74 mA

20−5.095 5.095
𝑅𝐿 = 600; 𝐼𝑠 = (1000) = 49.6833 𝑚𝐴; 𝐼𝐿 = (1000) = 8.4917 𝑚𝐴
300 600

Iz = 49.6833 – 8.4917 = 41.1916 mA

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 20−5.095 5.097
𝑅𝐿 = 1000; 𝐼𝑠 = (1000) = 49.6767 𝑚𝐴; 𝐼𝐿 = (1000) = 5.097 𝑚𝐴
300 1000

Iz = 49.6767 – 5.097 = 44.5797 mA

20−5.095 0
𝑅𝐿 = 0; 𝐼𝑧 = (1000) = 49.667 𝑚𝐴; 𝐼𝐿 = (1000) = 0 𝑚𝐴
300 0

Iz = 49.667 – 0 = 49.667 mA

VII. Graphs

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VIII. Analysis and Conclusion
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The first quadrant is the forward biased region. Here the Zener diode acts like an
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ordinary diode. When a forward voltage is applied, current flows through it. But due to
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higher doping concentration, higher current flows through the Zener diode. In the third
quadrant, the magic happens. The graph shows the current vs voltage curve when we
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apply a reverse bias to the diode. The Zener breakdown voltage is the reverse bias
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voltage after which a significant amount of current starts flowing through the Zener
diode. Here in the diagram, VZ refers to the Zener breakdown voltage. Until the voltage
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reaches Zener breakdown level, tiny amount of current flows through the diode. Once
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the reverse bias voltage becomes more than the Zener breakdown voltage, a significant
amount of current starts flowing through the diode due to Zener breakdown. The
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voltage remains at the Zener breakdown voltage value, but the current through the
diode increases when the input voltage gets increased. Due to the unique property of
Zener diode, the depletion region regains its original position when the reverse voltage
gets removed.

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 A zener diode is always operated in its reverse biased condition. As such a simple
voltage regulator circuit can be designed using a zener diode to maintain a constant DC
output voltage across the load in spite of variations in the input voltage or changes in
the load current.

The zener voltage regulator consists of a current limiting resistor R connected in series
with the input voltage V with the zener diode connected in parallel with the load RL in
this reverse biased condition. The stabilized output voltage is always selected to be the
same as the breakdown voltage VZ of the diode.

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