D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications

Student Name: Tanmay Sonawane
PRN No: 20220802427
Date of Performance:23/11/2022
Experiment No: 04
AIM: To determine and analyze the V-I characteristics of PN- junction diode.

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.

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

APPARATUS/COMPONENTS REQUIRED:

1. Bread Board -01

2. Diode (Si) - IN001
3. Resistance - 1K
4. Multi-meter - 02
5. Power supply - 0 – 30V DC

 D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURES:

(A) FORWARD CHARACTERISTICS OF DIODE:

1. Make the connections as shown in the figure.
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)

(B) REVERSE CHARACTERISTICS OF DIODE:

1. Make the connections as shown in the figure.

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 Vr (on X-axis) vs. reverse current Ir (on Y-axis)

Forward Bias Reverse Bias

Id Id
Supply Vd(mV) (m Vd(volts) (u
voltag A) A)
e (V)
5 573 4.43 5 0
10 592 9.41 10 0
15 603 14.4 15 0
20 611 19.4 20 0
25 617 24.4 25 0

 D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications

PROCEDURE:

1. Plot a graph between voltage and current readings for forward and reverse PN diode.
2.Determine Cut-in voltage for PN diode from graph.

RESULT:
The cut in voltage of diode as determined from the graph for PN diode is (volts).

CONCLUSION: Thus we have determined and analyzed the V-I characteristics of PN-
junction diode using Tinkercad.

 D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications
Student Name:Ruchit Shetty
PRN No: 20220802090
Date of Performance: 24/11/2022
Experiment No: 05
AIM: To determine and analyze the V-I characteristics of Zener diode.

THEORY:

Zener diode is a P-N junction diode specially designed to operate in the reverse biased
mode.It is acting as normal diode while forward biasing. It has a particular voltage known as
break down voltage, at which the diode break downs while reverse biased. In the case of
normal diodes the diode damages at the break down voltage. But zener diode is specially
designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region. The basic principle of zener diode is
the zener breakdown. When a diode is heavily doped, it’s depletion region will be narrow.
When a high reverse voltage is applied across the junction, there will be very strong electric
field at the junction. And the electron hole pair generation takes place. Thus heavy current
flows. This is known as zener breakdown. The breakdown voltage depends upon the amount
of doping. For a heavily doped diode depletion layer will be thin and breakdown occurs at
low reverse voltage and the breakdown voltage is sharp, whereas a lightly doped diode has a
higher breakdown voltage. This explains the zener diode characteristics in the reverse bias
region. So a zener diode, in a forward biased condition acts as a normal diode. In reverse
biased mode, after the break down of junction current through diode increases sharply. But
the voltage across it remains constant. This principle is used in voltage regulator using zener
diodes.

 D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications

Characteristic of Zener Diode

The VI characteristic graph of the Zener diode is shown in the figure below. This curve
shows that the Zener diode, when connected in forwarding bias, behaves like an ordinary
diode. But when the reverse voltage applies across it and the reverse voltage rises beyond the
predetermined rating, the Zener breakdown occurs in the diode.

At Zener breakdown voltage the current starts flowing in the reverse direction. The graph of
the Zener breakdown is not exactly vertical shown above which shows that the Zener diode
hasresistance. The voltage across the Zener is represented by the equation shown below.

V = VZ + IZRZ

Applications of Zener Diode

The Zener diode is mostly used in the commercial and industrial applications. The following
are the main application of the Zener diode.

As Voltage Stabilizer – The Zener diode is used for regulating the voltage. It provides the
constant voltage from the fluctuating voltage source to the load. The Zener diode is connected

 D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications
in parallel across the load and maintain the constant voltage VZ and hence stabilises the
voltage.

For Meter Protection – The Zener diode is generally used in multimeters for controlling the
movement of the meter against accidental overloads. It is connected in parallel with the
diode.When the overload occurs across the diode most of the current pass through the diode.
Thus, protects the meter from damage.

For Wave Shaping – The Zener diode is used for converting the sine wave into the square
wave. This can be done by placing the two Zener Diodes in series with the resistance. The
diode is connected back to back and in the opposite direction.

APPARATUS/COMPONENTS REQUIRED:
1. Bread Board
2. Diode (Zener ) - IN4728A
3. Resistance - 1K
4. Multimeter - 02
5. Power supply - 0 – 15V DC
6. Connectors - 06
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Forward Bias

 D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications
Reverse Bias

PROCEDURE:
A) I-V Characteristics of Zener Diode

1) Identify the components required and make the connections on bread board as per
circuitdiagram.

2) Connect the circuit diagram for diode in forward biasing mode.

3) Switch on the power supply and increase applied voltage gradually.

4) Note down the required readings.

5) Repeat steps 2 to 4 for reverse bias mode.

6) Tabulate the observations and plot the I-V curve for zener diode in forward and reverse bias.

7) From your observations obtain the value of cut-in voltage and breakdown voltage VZ.

(A) FORWARD CHARACTERISTICS OF DIODE:

7. Make the connections as shown in the figure.
8. 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.
9. Plot the graph of forward voltage Vf (on X-axis) vs. forward current If (on Y-axis) and
compare it with theoretical.

 D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications
(B) REVERSE CHARACTERISTRICS OF ZENER DIODE:
1. Make the connections as shown in the figure.
2. Vary the in-built D.C. Supply voltage so that the diode voltage varies
in steps of 0.5V and take the corresponding voltmeter and ammeter reading.

3. Mark the current and voltage reading at which ammeter reading changes from micro
tomilli amperes.

EXPERIMENTAL DATA:

A. Forward Bias

Supply VD (mV) ID (mA)

Voltage
(V)
1 516 0.484
2 544 1.46
3 558 2.44
4 566 3.43
5 573 4.43
6 578 5.42
7 583 6.42
8 586 7.41
9 590 8.41

B. Reverse Bias

Supply VD (V) ID (mA)

Voltage
(V)
1 1 0
2 2 0
3 3 0
4 4 0
5 4.97 0.322
6 5.10 0.899
7 5.17 1.830

 D Y Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune

School of Computer Engineering and Applications

8 5.23 2.770
9 5.29 3.710
10 5.35 4.650

CALCULATION:
1. Plot a graph between voltage and current readings for forward and reverse Zener diode
2. Determine Cut-in voltage for zener diode from graph.
3. Determine breakdown voltage of zener diode from graph.

CONCLUSION: Thus we have determined and analyzed the V-I characteristics of Zener
diode.

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