ZENER DIODE V-I CHARACTERISTICS and ZENER AS

VOLTAGE REGULATOR

AIM:
a) To plot the V-I characteristics of Zener Diode under forward and
reverse bias conditions and to calculate cut-in voltage and zener
breakdown voltage.
b) To plot the Load Regulation Curve of the zener diode in reverse
bias condition.

APPARATUS:

 (0-30V) Regulated Power supply (RPS)

 1MZ 5V1 Zener diode – 1no.
 Ammeter: (0-50mA) – 1no.
 Voltmeters: (0-1V) – 1no.
(0-10V)– 1no.
 470Ω resistor – 1no.
 Decade Resistance Box – 1no.
 Bread board
 Connecting wires

THEORY:

The operation of zener diode is same as ordinary PN junction diode

under forward bias condition, whereas under reverse bias condition,
breakdown of the junction occurs. The breakdown voltage depends
upon the amount of doping. The sharp increasing currents under
breakdown conditions are due to following two mechanisms.

1. Avalanche breakdown: As applied reverse bias increases, the field

across the junction increases correspondingly. Thermally generated
carriers while traversing the junction acquire a amount of kinetic
energy from this field and increase their velocity. These electrons
disrupt the covalent bonds by colliding the immobile ions and create
a new electron hole pair. These new carriers again acquire sufficient
energy from the field and collide with other immobile ions and
thereby creating further electron hole pairs. This process results in
large amounts of current flow at same value of reverse bias.

2. Zener Breakdown: When the P-N regions are heavily doped, direct
rupture of covalent bonds takes place because of strong electric
fields at the junction. The new electron-hole pairs so created
increase the reverse current in a reverse biased PN diode. As a result
of heavy doping of P and N regions the width of depletion region
becomes very small for a voltage of 6V on less, the field across the
 depletion region becomes very high (of order 107 V/m) making the
conditions suitable for zener break down.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS:

a) V-I Characteristics

470Ω (0-50mA)
+ A _
If
+
RPS A +
VS 1MZ 5V1 Vf V (0-1V)
(0-30V) K
_ -

FORWARD BIAS

(0-50mA)
_
470Ω + A
Ir
+ K
RPS +
VS 1MZ 5V1 Vr V (0-10V)
(0-30V) _ A
-

REVERSE BIAS

b) Voltage Regulator

470Ω

+ K
+
RPS 1MZ 5V1 RL
VS=12V VL V (0-10V)
A
_ -
MODEL GRAPHS:

a) V-I Characteristics

Forward Bias Reverse Bias

If (mA) Vr (V) VZ 0

IR (mA)
0 Vγ Vf(V)

b) Voltage Regulator

% Reg

0 RL(Ω)
TABULAR FORMS:

a) V-I Characteristics

Forward bias Reverse bias

VS Vf If VS Vr Ir
(Volts) (Volts) (mA) (Volts) (Volts) (mA)

b) Voltage Regulator
No Load Voltage, VNL = ______
RL VL
% Reg
(Ω) (Volts)
PROCEDURE:

a) V-I Characteristics

Forward bias
1) Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram of Forwaed
Bias.
2) Vary the RPS voltage from 0V to 30V in steps.
3) Tabulate the readings of Ammeter (If) and Voltmeter (Vf).
4) Plot the graph between Vf & If.
5) Calculate the cut-in voltage from the graph

Reverse bias
1) Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram of Reverse
Bias.
2) Vary the RPS voltage from 0V to 30V in steps.
3) Tabulate the readings of Ammeter (Ir) and Voltmeter (Vr).
4) Plot the graph between Vr & Ir.
5) Calculate the break down voltage from the graph

b) Voltage Regulator:

1) Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram of Votage

Regulator.
2) Fix the RPS voltage at 12V (Usually double the value of VZ).
3) Slowly vary the RL in steps from a higher to lower value.
4) Tabulate the readings of Voltmeter (VL).
5) Calculate the % Regulation as follows:

VNL − VL
% Reg = × 100
VL

6) Plot the graph between % Reg & RL.

PRECAUTIONS:

 Connections must be tight.

 Readings must be taken without parallax error.
 Operate the knobs of the RPS smoothly from one position to another.
 Current knob of the RPS must always be at maximum position.
 Voltage coarse and fine knobs must be at maximum position.
 Never make all the knobs of DRB to zero position when connected
to the circuit.
RESULT:

a) V-I Characteristics

Hence the V-I characteristics of a zener diode are plotted.

Vγ (cut in voltage) = ______ V.
Vz (breakdown voltage) = _____ V.

b) Voltage Regulator

The Load Regulation Curve of the zener diode in reverse bias

condition is plotted.