V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode

Objective:-

1. Design the circuit diagram

2. Take the reading and draw the characteristics curve
3. Determine the DC forward and Reverse resistance.
4. Determine the Zener Voltage (Vz)

Equipments required:-

1. Voltmeter or Digital multimeter

2. Amp meter
3. Bread Board
4. Zener Diodes
5. Resistors 1k
6. 0 - 30 V dc power supply

Theory:-

A Zener diode is a type of diode that permits current not only in the forward direction like a
normal diode, but also in the reverse direction if the voltage is larger than the breakdown voltage
known as "Zener knee voltage" or "Zener voltage". The forward characteristic of the zener diode
is same as that of a pn junction diode i.e. as the applied potential increases the current increases
exponentially. Applying a negative potential to the anode and positive potential to the cathode
reverse biases the zener diode. As the reverse bias increases, the current increases rapidly in a
direction opposite to that of the positive voltage region. Thus under reverse bias condition
breakdown occurs.

Forward Bias Circuit Diagram

Reverse Bias Circuit Diagram

Procedure:-

Forward-Bias:-

1. Construct the circuit as shown in figure for forward biased zener diode.
2. Take the reading from the voltmeter and the amp meter from the output side and fill the
table by increasing the input DC voltage.
3. Plot Id vs Vd in a graph to get the forward biased characteristics.

Reverse Bias:-

1. Construct the circuit as shown in figure for reverse biased zener diode.
2. Take the reading from the voltmeter and the amp meter from the output side and fill the
table by increasing the input DC voltage.
3. Plot Id vs Vd in a graph to get the reverse biased characteristics.
4. Find the voltage at the point where Id decreases sharply to get the zener voltage.
Result Table ( Forward Bias)

Reverse Bias

Expected I-V characteristics (Forward Bias & Reverse Bias):- GRAPHS