Physics Investigatory Project 2023-24

Topic: Zener diode as a voltage regulator

(To study characteristics and functions of Zener diode)

Name – Bhuvana Grace Dadala

Grade-12-A
Gr No. 10607
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Physics Project titled has been

successfully completed by Bhuvana Grace of class XII in
partial fulfilment of curriculum of CENTRAL BOARD OF
SECONDARY EDUCATION (CBSE) leading to the award
of annual examination of the year 2023-24.

Internal Examiner External Examiner

Dr. Abubacker
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It gives me great pleasure to express my gratitude

towards our Physics Teacher Dr. Abubacker for his
guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the
duration of the project. Without his motivation and help
the successful completion of this project would not have
been possible.

- Bhuvana Grace Dadala

Grade 12-A
 Index
1. Aim

2. Introduction

3. Theory

4. Experiment

5. Bibliography
Aim: To study the working principle and
observe the characteristic and functions of Zener
Diode.

Introduction

A Zener Diode is a Diode that, unlike a normal one, allows

current to flow not only from its anode to its cathode,
but also in the reverse direction, when the Zener
voltage is reached. Zener diodes have a highly doped
p-n junction. Normal diodes will also Breakdown with
a reverse voltage, but the voltage and sharpness of the knee
are notes well defined as for a Zener Diode. Also, normal
diodes are not designed to operate in the Breakdown region,
but Zener Diode can reliably operate in this region.
The device was named after Clarence Melvin Zener, who
discovered the Zener effect. However, many diodes
described as “Zener” Diode rely instead on avalanche
Breakdown.

Both the Breakdown types are used in Zener Diodes

with the Zener effect predominating under 5.6V and
avalanche Breakdown above.
 Theory
The Diode is one of the basic components in
electronic circuits. When you want to know about voltage
considerations you should know about the diodes. The
Diode is basically made up of semiconductors which
have two characteristics, ‘P’ type and ‘N’ type. The ‘P’
type and ‘N’ type semiconductors represent positive
and negative type semiconductors. ‘P’ type
semiconductor will have excess number of holes in

configuration and ‘N’ type semiconductor will have excess

number of electrons.

If both types of characteristics presenting single crystal, then

it can be termed as a Diode. The positive terminal of the
battery connects with the ‘P’ side and the negative side
is connected with the ‘N’ side. Let’s discuss about
the Zener Diode working, it is nothing but a simple
Diode connecting in reverse bias.
Working Principle

It is mainly a special property of the Diode rather than any

special type of equipment. The person named Clearance
Zener invented their property of the Diode that’s why it is
named after him as a remembrance. The special
property of the Diode is that there will be Breakdown I
the circuit if the voltage applied across a reversely biased
circuit. This does not allow the current to flow across it. When
the voltage across the Diode is increased, temperature
also increases and the crystal ions vibrate with
greater amplitude and all these leads to the Breakdown
of the depletion layer. The layer at the junction of ‘P’ type and
‘N’ type. When the applied voltage exceeds a specific amount
Zener Breakdown takes place.
Zener diode is nothing, but a single Diode connected
in reverse Bias mode and Zener diode can be
connected in reverse bias positive in a circuit as shown in
picture.
We can connect it for different applications. The circuit
Symbol of Zener Diode is as shown in the figure.
For convenience it is used normally. When discussing
about the Diode circuits we should look through the
graphical representation of the operation of the Zener diode. It
is called V-I characteristics of a general p-n junction Diode.

Characteristics of a Zener Diode

When the Diode is connected in forward acts as a

normal Diode. When the reverse bias voltage is
greater than a predetermined voltage then the Zener
Breakdown Voltage occurs. To get the Breakdown
Voltage sharp and distinct doping is controlled and the
surface imperfections are avoided. In the V-I Characteristics
above Vz is the Zener Voltage. And also, the knee
voltage because at this point the current is very rapid.

Zener Diode Behaviour

Application: Zener Diode as voltage regulator

The term regulator means which regulates. The Zener

Diode can work as a voltage regulator if it is introduced in a
circuit. The output across the Diode will be constant. It is
driven by a current source. As we know if the voltage across
the Diode exceeds a certain value it would draw excessive
current from the supply. To fix the current through the Zener
Diode series resistance R is introduced whose value
can be chosen from the following equation. Resistor
value(ohms) = (V1 - V2) / (Zener current +load current) The
Zener Diode produces a stable reference voltage across
the load which fulfils the criteria ofregulator requirement.
The Zener Diode a allows current to flow in the forward
direction in the same manner as an ideal Diode. It also permits
to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above a
certain value known as Breakdown Voltage. As this device
is named after C. Zener. He discovered this electrical
property. A Zener Diode is one in which the reverse
Breakdown occurs due to electron quantum tunnelling under
high electric field strength called Zener effect.

Circuit Diagram
(Zener Diode
connectivity)
Many diodes described
a Zener Diode rely
instead
on the avalanche
Breakdown. Both
types are used
with Zener effect
predominating under
5.6 V and
avalanche Breakdown
above. Regular
applications
include providing a
reference voltage for
voltage
regulators. This is
to protect devices
from
momentary voltage
pulses. These devices
are also
encountered in series
with a base emitter
junction.
At transistor stages
where selective
choice of a
device centered
around the
avalanche or Zener
point. It can be
used to introduce
compensating
temperature coefficient
balancing of the transis
Many diodes described a Zener Diode rely instead on the
avalanche Breakdown. Both types are used with Zener effect
predominating under 5.6 V and avalanche Breakdown above.
Regular applications include providing a reference voltage for
voltage regulators. This is to protect devices from
momentary voltage pulses. These devices are also
encountered in series with a base emitter junction. At
transistor stages where selective choice of a device
centered around the avalanche or Zener point. It can
be used to introduce compensating temperature
coefficient balancing of the transistor.

DC error amplifier used

in a regulated power
supply circuit feedback loop
system is the one of example.

EXPERIMENT
Aim: To draw the characteristics curve of a Zener
Diode and determine it’s reverse Breakdown
Voltage.

Apparatus Required: A Zener Diode, A 10V

battery, a high resistance, Rheostat, Voltmeter,
Ammeter, one way key, Connecting Wires.

Circuit Parameters:
Vi : Input Voltage
Vo : Output Voltage
Ri :Input Resistance
Rl : Load Resistance
Ii : Input Current
Iz : Zener Diode Current
Il : Load Current

Formulation:
 I l = Ii – I z (1)
V o = Vi - Ri Ii (2)

 Constant value of V o gives reverse Breakdown

Voltage.

Circuit
Diagram:
Procedure:

1) Arrange the apparatus as shown in Diagram. Make

all connections neat and clean and tight.
Note Zero count of Ammeter and Voltmeter.

2) Bring Rheostat near negative end and insert key.

Ammeter and voltmeter reading remains zero.

3) Bring it near positive end and apply

Reverse bias voltage millimetre readings remain constant.

4) Further Increasing or Decreasing will show you the

desired V-I Characteristics as stated in the theory.

5) Record your observations

Observation

S.No. Input Voltage (Vi) Input Current (Ii)

1 0 0
2 2 0
3 3 0
4 4 0
 5 5.1 0.1
6 5.2 0.1
7 5.3 0.1
8 5.5 0.4
9 5.6 9
10 5.7 12.8
11 5.8 15.8
12 5.9 25.2
13 6 31

 Range of the Voltmeter used = 15volts

 Range of the Micro Ammeter = 200microA
 Least count of the Voltmeter = 0.1Volt
 Least count of the Micro ammeter = 5microA
 Zero error of the Micro ammeter = 0microA
 Zero error of the Voltmeter = 0 volt

 Result: The reverse Breakdown Voltageof given Zener

Diode is 5.6 volt.

Precautions
1. All connections should be Neat
2. All Connections should be Clean.
3. All connections should be tight.
4. Key should be used in circuit and opened when the
circuit is not being used.
 Conclusion
We Observed Zener Diode and it’s functioning in Forward
and Reverse Biasing. Studied V-I Characteristics
Graphically and Theoretically. Also performed an
experiment to Determine Reverse Breakdown Voltage
which was found to be 5.6 Volts. Which also told us
about the significance of Zener Diode as a voltage regulator.

Bibliography

 www.studocu.com
 www.scribd.com
 Pradeep’s Physics Class 12
 NCERT Physics class 12 (part 2)
 Physics Lab Manual by Comprehensive Adobe
Illustrations