TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

College of Engineering
Ayala Boulevard, Ermita, Manila 1000

Experiment 3
ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISICS

Name:
Lawrence Abram M. Alcantara

Course and Section:

BSEE – 2D

Subject:
ACEE5L-M - Electronic Circuits: Devices and Analysis 1, Lab

Date Performed:
October 18, 2022

Date of Submission:
October 25, 2022

Instructor:
Prof. Vilma C. Pagtalunan

Grade:

Remarks:
 EXPERIMENT NO.3

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISICS

I. OBJECTIVE:

To measure and graph the volt-ampere characteristics of a Zener diode at forward and
reverse biased condition.

II. DISCUSSION:

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, will decrease the
Zener potential. Zener diodes are available having Zener potential of 1.8 to 200V with power
rating from ¼ to 50 W.

The complete equivalent circuit of the Zener diode in the Zener region includes a small
dynamic resistance and dc battery equal to the Zener potential. A larger drawing of the Zener
region is provided in fig.3 to permit a description of the Zener nameplate data. The term nominal
associated with Vz indicates that it is a typical average value. Since this is a 20% diode, the
Zener potential can be expected to vary as 10V +-20% or from 8 to 12V in its range of
application. The test current defined by the 1/4 power level, and ZZT is the dynamic impedance
at this current level. The maximum knee impedance occurs at a particular level, and IZM is the
maximum current for
the 20% unit.
Iz

Vz Vr
Vz
10μA=I s
0.25mA=IZX

I ZT=12.5mA

I ZM=32mA

Fig.3 Zener test characteristics

III. MATERIALS:

1- Variable DC source
1- Digital tester
1- 550Ω resistor, 4.7kΩ
1- Zener diode 10V, 1W

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Connect the circuit of Fig 3.1. Set VAA AT O Volt; ampere, A at 20,000 Ω/V. Measure
the diode current, I, if any. Record the result in Table 3.1.
R

V ab
V AA 10V, 1W

Fig. 3.1 Experimental circuit for observing effect for reverse bias on a Zener diode
VAB, V I, mA RZ VAB, V I, mA RZ
0 0 0 9.9720 5 1994.40Ω
2.0 0.0002 10MΩ 9.9860 10 998.60Ω
4.0 0.0004 10MΩ 9.9940 15 666.27Ω
6.0 0.0006 10MΩ 10.000 20 500Ω
8.0 0.0008 10MΩ 10.004 25 400.16Ω
10 19.619 509.71Ω 10.008 30 333.60Ω
10.011 35 186.03Ω
10.014 40 250.35Ω
Table 3.1 Reverse Bias
 2. Set VAA so that VAB measures 2.0 Volts. Measure and record the diode current I in
Table 3.1. Repeat the procedure for each value of VAB and change the range of ammeter
A as required. solve also the resistance RZ using ohms law.

3. Set VAA so that diode current I measures 5mA. Measure voltage VAB and record on the
same table. Repeat the procedure for each value of current shown and record the
corresponding values of VAB and RZ.

Zener Diode as Voltage regulator

4. Connect the circuit of Fig. 3.2. the output of power supply. VAA is set at 0 Volt, ampere
A is on the 100 mA range. Slowly increasing VAA and current IZ measures 20 mA.
Measure total current IT. Record the result in table 3.3.
R=550Ω

V AA R2= 4.7kΩ V ab
V ab

Fig. 3.2 Experimental voltage regulator circuit

VAB,V IZ, mA IT mA VAA, V

VAB 10V 20mA 22.127mA 22.17V
VAB + 0.1 10.1V 2905mA or 2.905A 2907mA or 2.907A 1609V or 1.609kV
VAB - 0.1 09.9V 138.3μA or 0.1383mA 2.45mA 11.135V
Table 3.3 Voltage Regulator

5. Determine and record the range of variation of VAA over which VAB remains constant
within +0.1 Volt of its value. Measure the variation of IZ and within this range.
Record it in Table 3.3.
V. CIRCUIT SIMULATIONS:
VOLTAGES

Figure 3.1.1 Obtaining 0V across the Zener Diode.

Figure 3.1.2 Obtaining 2.0V across the Zener Diode.

Figure 3.1.3 Obtaining 4.0V across the Zener Diode.

Figure 3.1.4 Obtaining 6.0V across the Zener Diode.

Figure 3.1.5 Obtaining 8.0V across the Zener Diode.

Figure 3.1.6 Obtaining 10V across the Zener Diode.

 CURRENT

Figure 3.1.7 Obtaining 5mA current in the circuit.

Figure 3.1.8 Obtaining 10mA current in the circuit.

Figure 3.1.9 Obtaining 15mA current in the circuit.

Figure 3.1.10 Obtaining 20mA current in the circuit.

Figure 3.1.11 Obtaining 25mA current in the circuit.

Figure 3.1.12 Obtaining 30mA current in the circuit.

Figure 3.1.13 Obtaining 35mA current in the circuit.

Figure 3.1.14 Obtaining 40mA current in the circuit.

 VOLTAGE REGULATOR

Figure 3.3.1 Obtaining Iz=20mA current in the circuit.

Figure 3.3.2 Obtaining VAB=10.1V.
Figure 3.3.3 Obtaining VAB=09.9V.
VI. QUESTIONS:

1. What can you say about the biasing of a Zener diode?

2. What portion of a Zener diode characteristics is most useful for voltage regulation
application? Why?
3. Explain what is meant of Zener potential.
4. What is the significance of the graph of procedure 5B? How can this graph be used in
the design of regulator employing 10 V Zener diode?
5. Refer to Table 3.3, explain how the circuit works.