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(EL-1004)
LABORATORY MANUAL
FALL 2023
(LAB # 05)
Analysis and Implementation of Zener Diode
characteristics and diode as a Regulator
_______________________________
LAB ENGINEER SIGNATURE & DATE
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
Recall, from the discussion of the diode characteristic curve in Lab 3. That when a diode
reaches reverse breakdown, its voltage remains almost constant even though the current
changes drastically. This volt-ampere characteristic is shown again in Figure 4.2 with normal
operating regions for rectifier diodes and for zener diodes shown as shaded areas. If a zener
diode is forward-biased, it operates the same as a rectifier diode.
EDC LAB NUCES, ISLAMABAD Page 2 of 13
Electronic Devices National University Roll No: __________
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
(a) The normal operating regions for a (b) The normal operating region for a zener
rectifier diode are shown as shaded areas diode is shaded
Figure 4.2: Normal diode versus zener diode operation
Zener Breakdown :
Zener diodes are designed to operate in reverse breakdown. Two types of reverse breakdown
in a zener diode are avalanche and zener. The avalanche breakdown occurs in both rectifier and
zener diodes at a sufficiently high reverse voltage. Zener breakdown occurs in a zener diode at
low reverse voltages. A zener diode is heavily doped to reduce the breakdown voltage. This
causes a very thin depletion region. As a result, an intense electric field exists within the
depletion region. Near the zener breakdown voltage (Vz), the field is intense enough to pull
electrons from their valence bands and create current. Zener diodes with breakdown voltages
of less than approximately 5V operate predominately in zener breakdown. Those with
breakdown voltages greater than approximately 5V operate predominately in avalanche
breakdown. Both types, however, are called zener diodes. Zeners are commercially available
with breakdown voltages of 1.8 V to 200 V with specified tolerances from 1 % to 20%.
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
Figure 4.3: The zener diode i–v characteristic showing the breakdown region
Zener Regulation:
A major application for zener diode is as a type of voltage regulator for providing stable
reference voltages for use in power supplies, voltmeters and other instruments.
The ability to keep the reverse voltage across its terminals essentially constant is the key
feature of the zener diode. A zener diode operating in breakdown acts as a voltage regulator
because it maintains a nearly constant voltage across its terminals over a specified range of
reverse-current values. A minimum value of reverse current, IZK must be maintained in order
to keep the diode in breakdown for voltage regulation. You can see on the curve in Figure 4.3
that when the reverse current is reduced below the knee of the curve, the voltage decreases
drastically and regulation is lost. Also, there is a maximum current, IZM above which the diode
may be damaged due to excessive power dissipation. So, basically, the zener diode maintains
a nearly constant voltage across its terminals for values of reverse current ranging from IZK.
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
LAB TASKS
Task 1: Zener Diode Characteristics:
Construct the circuits as shown below. Vary the input voltage Vin according the values given
in the table and by using ampere meter and volt meter record the values of Id and Vd.
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
Using the data collected above, sketch the IV characteristics of diode w.r.t to 1Kohms. Take
Vd on x-axis and Id on y-axis.
Note: For reverse biased characteristics, input voltage would be negative.
Task 2: Construct a zener regulator and find the voltage regulation for varying input voltage
(line regulation) and varying loads (load regulation). Take RS = 1kΩ, and RL = as indicated.
EDC LAB NUCES, ISLAMABAD Page 7 of 13
Electronic Devices National University Roll No: __________
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
a) Find VO with no load and with V+ = 15V at its nominal value.
b) Find the change in VO resulting from the ±1-V change in V+. Note that, usually
(∆𝐕𝐨 ⁄∆𝐕 +) expressed in mV/V, is known as line regulation.
c) Find the change in VO resulting from connecting load resistance RL, and hence find the
load regulation (∆𝐕𝐨 ⁄∆𝐈𝐋 ) in mV/mA.
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
16 56k 10 6.40 0.10 3.60
Task 3: Find Line Regulation and Load Regulation from the observations above.
(Note: Voltage Regulation takes place only when the zener diode is in significant zener
breakdown region)
Zener diode behave as voltage regulator. Voltage across zener remains same. Zener current
increases and load current decreases.
Task 4:
Implement a silicon diode regulator circuit below and find the voltage regulation for varying
loads.
Take Vin = 9V, RS = 1kΩ, and RL = as indicated
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
Load resistor RL (Ω) Input Voltage Vin (V) Output Voltage Vout
S. No.
(V)
1 560 9 1.92
2 1k 9 2.16
3 2.2k 9 2.27
4 5.6k 9 2.30
5 10k 9 2.32
6 22k 9 2.33
7 33k 9 2.33
8 56k 9 2.33
9 75k 9 2.33
10 100k 9 2.33
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________
Lab #
& Circuits
(EL-1004)
of Computer and Emerging Sciences
Islamabad
05
_________________________________________________________________________________