EN3ES16: Basic Electronics Engineering Experiment no-01

Experiment Title: To verify V-I characteristics of Page 1 of 5

Semiconductor diode and Zener diode

1. Objective (s):
To verify V-I characteristics of Semiconductor diode and Zener diode.
2. Theory:

A PN diode (also known as rectifier diode) is a two-terminal device, having

two active electrodes between which the signal of interest may flow, and
most are used for their unidirectional current property. It allows an electric
current to pass in one direction (called the forward biased condition) and to
block it in the opposite direction (the reverse biased condition). Thus, the
diode can be thought of as an electronic version of a check valve. Real
diodes do not display such a perfect on-off directionality but have a more
complex non-linear electrical characteristic, which depends on the particular
type of diode technology. Diodes also have many other functions in which
they are not designed to operate in this on-off manner.

A Zener diode is a heavily doped PN diode that permits current to flow in

the forward direction like a normal diode, but also conducts significantly in
the reverse direction if the voltage applied is larger than the breakdown
voltage known as "Zener knee voltage" or "Zener voltage". A conventional
solid-state diode will not let noticeable current flow if it is reverse-biased
below its reverse breakdown voltage. After breakdown is achieved voltage
becomes almost constant and this property of zener diode confirms its
application as a voltage regulator in electronic circuits.

Fig.1. V-I characteristics of a P-N junction diode

Department of Electronics Engineering

Faculty of Engineering
Medi-Caps University
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EN3ES16: Basic Electronics Engineering Experiment no-01
Experiment Title: To verify V-I characteristics of Page 2 of 5
Semiconductor diode and Zener diode

Fig.2. V-I Characteristics of Zener diode and its symbol

3. Circuit Diagram:

(a)

(b)

Fig.2 Circuit configuration of PN diode for (a) Forward bias mode (b) Reverse
bias mode

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Faculty of Engineering
Medi-Caps University
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EN3ES16: Basic Electronics Engineering Experiment no-01
Experiment Title: To verify V-I characteristics of Page 3 of 5
Semiconductor diode and Zener diode

(a)

(b)

Fig.3 Circuit configuration of Zener Diode (a) Forward bias mode (b) Reverse bias
mode

4. Apparatus/Components Required:

1. Bread Board
2. Diode (Si /Zener ) - IN001/ IN4728A
3. Resistance - 1K
4. Multimeter - 02
5. Power supply - 0 – 30V DC
6. Connectors - 06

5. Procedures:

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EN3ES16: Basic Electronics Engineering Experiment no-01
Experiment Title: To verify V-I characteristics of Page 4 of 5
Semiconductor diode and Zener diode

(A) FORWARD CHARACTERISTICS OF DIODE:

1. Make the connections as shown in the figure 4.a.
2. Vary the in built D.C. Supply voltage so that the diode voltage will vary
in steps of 0.1Vand note down the corresponding voltmeter and ammeter
readings.
3. Plot the graph of forward voltage Vf (on X-axis) vs forward current If (on
Y-axis) and compare it with theoretical.

(B) REVERSE CHARACTERISTICS OF DIODE:

1. Make the connections as shown in the figure 4.b.
2. Vary the in built D.C. Supply voltage and so that the diode voltage will
vary in steps of 1Vand note down corresponding voltmeter and ammeter
readings.
3. Plot the graph of reverse voltage V r (on X-axis) vs. reverse current Ir (on
Y-axis) and compare it with theoretical.

6. Experimental Data:

SL. Voltage Forward/ Forward/

NO Applied Reverse Reverse Current
(volt) Voltage (volt) (milli /micro
ampere)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
7. Calculation:

(i). Plot a graph between voltage and current readings for:

Department of Electronics Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
Medi-Caps University
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EN3ES16: Basic Electronics Engineering Experiment no-01
Experiment Title: To verify V-I characteristics of Page 5 of 5
Semiconductor diode and Zener diode

(a) forward and reverse PN diode

(b) forward and reverse Zener diode

(ii). Calculate Cut-in voltage for PN diode and zener diode from
graph
(iii). Calculate breakdown voltage of zener diode from graph

(iv). Find out Static and Dynamic resistance of PN diode from graph.

8. Precautionary Measure to be taken:

1. Before switch ON the power supply, make sure connections are

proper:
a. No loose connections
b. Multimeter knobs are set on desired measuring quantities.
2. Do not rotate the knobs of coarse and fine in power supply
frequently.
3. Handle the electronic devices and equipments delicately
4. Keep power supply off when not in use

9. Some Sample questions:

i. What are the application circuits of P-N junction and Zener

diode?
ii. How can we test a diode is working or not?
iii. What is a diode rating?

Department of Electronics Engineering

Faculty of Engineering
Medi-Caps University
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