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Zener Diode Characteristics

This document describes an experiment to characterize a zener diode and use it in a voltage regulator circuit. The experiment measures the forward and reverse bias characteristics of the diode. It then constructs a voltage regulator using a zener diode to maintain a constant 20V output for varying loads. Key parameters like the zener voltage and maximum power dissipation must be known to design an effective zener regulator.

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Paulbert Thomas
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654 views

Zener Diode Characteristics

This document describes an experiment to characterize a zener diode and use it in a voltage regulator circuit. The experiment measures the forward and reverse bias characteristics of the diode. It then constructs a voltage regulator using a zener diode to maintain a constant 20V output for varying loads. Key parameters like the zener voltage and maximum power dissipation must be known to design an effective zener regulator.

Uploaded by

Paulbert Thomas
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Electronics Laboratory

Experiment No.4 Zener diode Characteristics


Object: To study and measure the effects of forward and reverse bias on the zener diode current. To construct a zener voltage regulator and experimentally determine the range over which the zener maintains a constant output voltage. Theory: Diodes which are designed with adequate power dissipation capabilities to operate the break down region may be employed as voltage reference or constant voltage devices such diode are known as avalanche break down of zener diodes. There are two mechanism which cause reverse break down of diodes, one is called the zener effect and the other the avalanche effect both these effects are due to the large fields that are set up across the depletion layer when the diode junction is reverse biased, these fields can become large enough to break electrons away from their covalent bonds and provide carries for conduction, this is called the zener break down. Procedure (A): 1. Connect the circuit shown in Figure (l), the power supply is set to zero volts. 2. Measure and record in table (1), the forward current in the diode at each level of voltage (Vf). 3. Determine the forward resistance Rf = Vf /If. Procedure (B): 1. Reverse the diode in the circuit of Figure (l). 2. Measure and record in the table (2), the reverse current in the diode at each level of voltage. 3. Calculate Rz = Vz /Iz, and record the result in table (2)

Electronics Laboratory Procedure (C): 1. Connect the circuit of Figure (2), the output of the power supply. 2. Slowly increase the supply voltage until E=20V , this voltage must remain constant, change the load resistance and record Vi, Ii , Iz, Rz, in table (3). Discussion: 1. What is the differences between a normal diode and a zener diode ? 2. Explain how the regulator circuit in Figure (2), works? 3. If you are going to design a regulator circuit , what are the important parameters that should know about the zener ?

R1
1.0k 1 K

E (0-4) V

Figure (1)

Vf If Rf

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

Table (1)

VZ IZ RZ

10

12

13

14

15.1

Table (2)

Electronics Laboratory

680 680

100-10K

E 20 V

IZ

IL

Figure (2)

E(v)

RL ( ) 200 400 600 800 1K

VL ( v )

IL ( mA )

IZ ( mA )

20

1.5 K 2K 4K 6K 8K 10 K

Table (3)

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