Experiment No.

2
Zener Diode

Objectives:
At the end of this experiment, the students are expected to:
1. identify the difference of zener diode with other types of diodes
2. be familiar with zener diode, its symbol, characteristics and uses.
3. know the different applications of zener diode.
4. to construct a zener diode regulator and study its operation
Materials:
Qty
1 VOM
1 Zener Diode (1N756 or equivalent Vz = 8.2 V)
1 Analog Trainer
1 Resistor (470 ohms)
1 Resistor (1000 ohms)
1 Connecting Wires

Theories/Principles:
The most common type of diode is the rectifier diode, which are used in power supplies that
converts AC Voltage to DC Voltage. To rectify a signal is not all that a diode can do. A Zener diode is
different because it is a silicon diode specially designed to operate and work in the breakdown region
which the signal and rectifier diodes are never intentionally operated for the reason that it may damage
them.
Zener Diode operates and works best in the breakdown region that is why it is called sometimes
the breakdown diode and voltage regulator diode because it maintains a constant output voltage for a
varying current. When a zener diode is in parallel with a load resistor, the current through the current
limiting resistor (resistor in series with the voltage source) is the same with the sum of the zener current
and the load current. Ideally, a zener diode is like a perfect battery.

Symbol:

Procedures:
1. Construct the circuit of Figure 1.
2. Set an initial voltage of 5 Volts and complete table 1.
3. Using Figure 2, connect the 1K Ohm load resistor at the output terminals.
4. Set an initial input voltage of 5 volts and complete table 2.
5. Redo the above procedures for figures 3 and 4 and complete tables 3 and 4, respectively.

Wiring Diagram:
Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4
Circuits using the Livewire
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Circuits created through Multisim
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Data and Results (From livewire):

Voltage Source IRs VRS IZ VZ IRL VRL
16.03 μ 0 0
5 Volts 0A V 0A 5V
10 Volts 3.75mA 1.76V 3.75mA 8.24V 0 0
14.31m 14.31m 0 0
15 Volts A 6.72V A 8.27V
Table 1

Voltage Source IRs VRS IZ VZ IRL VRL

5 Volts 3.40mA 1.60V 0A 3.40V 3.40mA 3.40V
10 Volts 6.80mA 3.20V 0A 6.80V 6.80mA 6.80V
15 Volts 14.36mA 6.75V 6.11mA 8.25V 8.25mA 8.25V

Table 2

Voltage Source IRs VRS IZ VZ IRL VRL

459.39m 0 0
5 Volts 9.66mA 4.54V 9.66mA V
20.25m 20.25m 480.75m 0 0
10 Volts A 9.52V A V
30.86m 30.86m 492.95m 0 0
15 Volts A 14.50V A V
Table 3

Voltage VRS
Source IRs IZ VZ IRL VRL
458.00m 458.01μ 458.01m
5 Volts 9.66mA 4.54V 9.20mA V A V
20.25m 19.77m 480.06m 480.08μ 480.08m
10 Volts A 9.52V A V A V
30.86m 14.50 30.36m 492.48m 492.51μ 492.51m
15 Volts A V A V A V
Table 4
Data and Results (From multisim):

Voltage Source IRs VRS IZ VZ IRL VRL

0.388m 0 0
5 Volts 0A V 0A 5V
3.846m 0 0
10 Volts A 1.807V 3.845mA 8.193V
0.014m 0 0
15 Volts A 6.767V 0.014mA 8.233V
Table 1

Voltage Source IRs VRS IZ VZ IRL VRL

3.403m 1.599 3.401m 3.401
5 Volts A V 0.444 μA 3.401V A V
6.805m 3.198 6.803m 6.802
10 Volts A V 0.888µA 6.802V A V
6.793 6.246m 8.207m 8.207
15 Volts 0.014A V A 8.207V A V
Table 2

Voltage Source IRs VRS IZ VZ IRL VRL

8.913m 8.912m 0 0
5 Volts A 4.189V A 0.811V
10 Volts 0.019A 9.163V 0.019A 0.837V 0 0
15 Volts 0.03A 14.146V 0.03A 0.854V 0 0
Table 3

Voltage Source IRs VRS IZ VZ IRL VRL

8.918m 0.809m 0.809
5 Volts A 4.191V 8.11mA 0.809V A V
0.836m 0.836
10 Volts 0.019A 9.164V 0.019A 0.836V A V
14.147 0.853m 0.853
15 Volts 0.03A V 0.029A 0.853V A V
Table 4
Observations:
It is said that when using Zener Diode maintains a constant voltage through current that results in
sum with the zener current as well as load current. As for the figure 1, as the voltage goes up, the current
goes up as well. With a certain Zener diode, it is like a perfect battery wherein we can identify as the
same as voltage releases so that voltage goes. Next is the 10V, from the previous 5V value, this time the
current goes up, from zero to 3.75mA and maintained it’s value up to the presenting diode. While the
Current goes up, the Voltage goes up as well and spreads accordingly up to the presenting diode. And for
the value of 15V in the battery or main source, the value of current was being doubled and so as the
voltage for the presenting resistor. But when goes for the presenting diode, this maintains as nearly as 8V.
For the Figure 2, another resistor is being added and paralleled to the presenting diode. This will
add up the Voltage as well as the current values as well. As we look to the diode, there is no current
flowed when a positive diode accepting a voltage. The current that starts in the first resistor, passes
through the second resistor and not with the diode. For the succeeding values of Voltages in main source
(10V and 15V), the 10V value receives the same gathered data as for the value of 5V main source. But
when the main source was valued as 15V, the voltages of the first resistor presented is on high value and
when it passes through the connecting lines of diode and through another resistor that is being paralleled
to the presenting diode, the diode receive small amount of current only but the second resistor receives
current but not as divided by the said diode. This forces the diode to accept a high emitting voltage values
when it is being in reverse bias.
For the Figure 3, The diode is in forward bias. And for the first value 5V from the main source,
the voltages as well as the current that flows through the circuit is being decreased slowly. The circuit is
in acceptable circuit type motion, wherein the cathode of the diode is facing in the negative terminal. And
for the succeeding values of the main source, 10V and 15V, the circuit receives from high voltage and
when it reaches the diode the voltage data of diode increased. But the current that flows within the
presenting diode is receiving the same as the current that flowed into the resistor. And as for the 15V of
the main source, from the voltage that receives by the resistor decreased respectively according to the
perfect circuit. But the diode also receives voltage increased from the previous data gathered in 10V and
in 5V. And as for the current that flows through resistor and through the representing diode, same goes
that it flows.
For the Figure 4, another resistor adds up as it paralleled to the representing diode. This results as
receiving the same voltages and currents from the previous data gathered in a forward bias. As the voltage
increase or decrease the current will also increase or decrease.
With the use of Multism, the data show as much as the same data in livewire. And in forward bias
being executed in Zener diode, the values of current get are increase as the main source of volts increase.
However, the first resistor remains similar value and it is just slightly affected the values for the diode
because the value of it is much lesser values of current and voltage. In the other hand as reverse bias
being executed in Zener diode, it is clearly shown that the values as the main source of voltage increases,
the values of current and voltage of resistors, ad diode increases as well. And unlike in forward bias,
where it first resistor being affected by the forward bias that results to lesser values, in the reverse bias the
first resistor get increase in both current and voltage. With those values in shown by initiating reverse and
forward bias, it is clearly shown that reverse bias has much more voltage for the diode than forward bias
which has lesser values.
Analysis of results and conclusion:

Given the result and data in the simulation and table, we concluded that the Zener does actually
work like a perfect battery. The value of the voltage in the diode will result to a higher value once the
Zener diode serves in the reverse bias, and it is not just the voltage of the diode but including the voltage
as a whole. The load in the parallel’s resistor will also give a higher value due to the reverse bias Zener
diode, but at the same time the value of the series’ resistor will become lower. In addition, we also
concluded that the value of the diode’s current will increase and at the same time the value of its voltage
will then decrease if the Zener is in forward bias, and this change of decrease is rapid in the resistor of the
parallel, and on contrary to the series in the reverse bias Zener, the resistor of the series for forward bias
Zener is giving a higher value as a result. Another conclusion is that all of the value of the voltage and
currents in the circuit as a whole will change be it increasing or decreasing depending on the value of the
voltage source. The results and simulation were done and gathered using livewire and Multism, even if
the two are giving two different results, both are still showing values and outputs that are similar to one
another, and with this we therefore conclude that all of the simulation and data were done and gathered
correctly.
Moreover, we also conclude that in a circuit with a Zener diode, the current will flow either in
forward bias or reverse bias condition for as long as the voltage source is equal or greater than the
breakdown and threshold voltage. This Zener diode has the advantage over the normal diode because it is
a special diode which can operate in reverse bias condition in only a small breakdown voltage. Therefore,
although the circuit is in reverse bias, we can flow the current without damaging the diode because the
breakdown voltage is smaller than a normal diode. In addition to that, we also conclude that when the
Zener diode is in forward bias, we can also get the voltage drop in a Zener diode equal or closer to it’s
threshold voltage if the voltage source is more than the threshold voltage. In addition, the Zener diode
with its accurate and specific reverse breakdown voltage allows for a simple and inexpensive voltage
regulator. Combined with the right resistor, fine control over both the voltage and the supply current can
be attained. However, the low power ratings of standard Zener diodes and resistors make this solution
impractical for high-power devices.
Lastly, from our observation in the simulation through multisim and livewire, we conclude that
when the Zener diode is in parallel circuit with a resistor in reverse bias condition, although the voltage
source is greater than the breakdown voltage, it is not automatic that we can get the voltage drop across
the diode equal to the breakdown voltage. Although the voltage will be the same in the components in
parallel, it is still because of the presence of the resistor in which it decreases the voltage drop so it is
possible that the voltage is less than the breakdown voltage so the current will only flow on the resistor.
For the current to flow, we must apply more voltage on the source or to decrease the resistance. But in
forward bias condition, there is no problem if we have only low voltage supply because the threshold
voltage is only small so we can easily achieve it and permits the current to flow in the diode parallel to the
resistor and all the current goes to the diode and only small amount to the resistor.

Questions:
1. Define the following:

A. Voltage regulator

Voltage regulator is a system or a component designed to maintain a specific constant

voltage on a circuit. It maintains the electricity that pass through it within its acceptable limits. It
is needed in certain machines to keep the voltage within the required range in order for the
electrical equipment’s to work properly. This type of device is widely used in motor vehicles to
match the voltage of the generator to the electrical load of the battery.

B. Breakdown voltage
Breakdown voltage is also called dielectric strength or striking voltage. It is used along
with the insulator and it is the minimum voltage necessary to force an insulator to conduct some
amount of electricity. It is known that insulators do not conduct electricity on their own but a
breakdown voltage can transform an insulator into a resistor thereby allowing it to transmit
electricity.

There are also two kinds of breakdown voltage. One is the breakdown voltage for the
diode and it is the minimum reverse voltage which allows the diode to conduct reversely and the
second is the breakdown voltage of insulator which is the minimum voltage that allows a part of
the insulator to conduct electricity.

C. Current limiting resistor

These devices are placed in the circuits in order to ensure the amount of current flow do
not exceed the capacity of the circuit and maintain that it is within safety handle. An example of
 this device is found on LED’s where they limit the current passing through the LED to prevent it
from burning too fast and to ensure that it gets enough to current so that it can light up.

D. Breakdown Region
It is a region in a circuit where the collector voltage is so large that the collector dose
diode breakdown which results in a large quantity of undesired current to flow through the
circuit. The breakdown region should be avoided at all cost in transistor circuits because of the
excessive amount of current that may harm the circuit. This can be avoided by placing not too
much bias voltage on the circuit.

E. Zener Voltage

This is a special type of diode that is capable of handling breakdown due to its reverse
breakdown voltage that do not fail completely. Its function is that it allows the current to flow
backwards when it meets a certain amount of reverse voltage which is called as the process of
zener voltage. It is known that zener diode holds its zener voltage so steady and constant, that it
has a huge application when it comes in circuits and most importantly in voltage regulation. This
makes the zener diode very useful in circuits where steady voltages need to be supplied. The
zener voltage of zener diodes comes in a range of values. You can find them in 3.3V-12V easily
in most shops.

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https://www.britannica.com/technology/voltage-regulator

What Are Zener Diodes? | Diodes and Rectifiers | Electronics Textbook. (n.d.).
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What Are Zener Diodes? | Diodes and Rectifiers | Electronics Textbook. (n.d.).
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