Electronic Devices and Circuits III Semester

Experiment – 1

Aim: To plot forward and reverse bias V-I characteristics of a Zener diode and study
its function as a voltage regulator.

Apparatus: DC Power Supply (0 - 30 V), Voltmeter (0 – 20 V), Ammeter (0 – 25 mA), Wires,

Breadboard

Components: Zener Diode, Resistors (1 KΩ, 10 KΩ, 1.5 KΩ, pot (10 KΩ))

Theory: A) Forward and Reverse Bias V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode

The Zener Diode or “Breakdown Diode” is basically the same as the standard
PN junction diode but they are specially designed to have a low and specified Reverse Break-
down Voltage which takes advantage of any reverse voltage applied to it. The Zener di- ode
behaves just like a normal general-purpose diode consisting of a silicon PN junction and when
biased in the forward direction, that is Anode positive with respect to its Cathode, it behaves
just like a normal signal diode passing the rated current.
However, unlike a conventional diode that blocks any flow of current through itself
when reverse biased, that is the Cathode becomes more positive than the Anode, as soon as
the reverse voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the Zener diode begins to conduct in the
reverse direction.
This is because when the reverse voltage applied across the Zener diode exceeds the
rated voltage of the device a process called Avalanche Breakdown occurs in the
semiconductor depletion layer and a current starts to flow through the diode to limit this
increase in voltage.
The current now flowing through the Zener diode increases dramatically to the
maximum circuit value (which is usually limited by a series resistor) and once achieved, this
re- verse saturation current remains fairly constant over a wide range of reverse voltages.
The voltage point at which the voltage across the Zener diode becomes stable is called the
“Zener voltage”, (Vz) and for Zener diodes this voltage can range from less than one volt to a
few hundred volts.

Fig. 1. Operation of Zener Diode in Forward Bias

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Electronic Devices and Circuits III Semester

Fig. 2. Operation of Zener Diode in Reverse Bias

Fig. 3. Forward and Reverse V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode

B) Line Regulation

Zener Diodes can be used to produce a stabilized voltage output with low
ripple under varying load current conditions. By passing a small current through the diode
from a voltage source, via a suitable current limiting resistor (RS), the Zener diode will
conduct sufficient current to maintain a voltage drop of VL.

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Electronic Devices and Circuits III Semester

For line regulation the resistor, RS is connected in series with the Zener diode to limit
the current flow through the diode with the voltage source, VS being connected across the
combination. The stabilized output voltage Vout is taken from across the Zener diode. The
Zener diode is connected with its cathode terminal connected to the positive rail of the DC
supply so it is reverse biased and will be operating in its breakdown condition. Resistor RS is
selected so to limit the maximum current flowing in the circuit.

With no load connected to the circuit, the load current will be zero, (IL = 0), and all the
circuit current passes through the Zener diode which in turn dissipates its maximum power.
Also a small value of the series resistor RS will result in a greater diode current when the
load resistance RL is connected and large as this will increase the power dissipation require-
ment of the diode so care must be taken when selecting the appropriate value of series re-
sistance so that the Zener’s maximum power rating is not exceeded under this no-load or
high-impedance condition.
The load is connected in parallel with the Zener diode, so the voltage across RL is al-
ways the same as the Zener voltage, (VL = VZ). There is a minimum Zener current for which
the stabilization of the voltage is effective and the Zener current must stay above this value
operating under load within its breakdown region at all times. The upper limit of current is
of course dependent upon the power rating of the device. The supply voltage VIN must be
greater than VZ. Line Regulation is defined as change in load voltage due to change in
input voltage.
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Fig. 4. Circuit Diagram for Line Regulation

C) Load Regulation

In load regulation the input voltage is kept constant and load resistor RL is
varied and because of this the load current varies. Load regulation is defined as the change
in load voltage due to the change in load current.
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Electronic Devices and Circuits III Semester

Fig. 5. Circuit Diagram for Load Regulation

Procedure:
A) Forward and Reverse Bias V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode

1. Mount the components on the breadboard.

2. Connect the components for forward and reverse bias operation according
to the circuit diagram.
3. Change the DC input voltage VIN and measure the diode voltage VD and
diode current IZ with the help of voltmeter and milli-ammeter respectively.
4. Plot the graph for forward and reverse bias V-I characteristics of a Zener
diode.
5. Note down the Zener voltage VZ.

B) Line Regulation

1. Mount the components on the breadboard.

2. Connect the components according to the circuit diagram.
3. Note down the load voltage at no load i.e., VNL(IL = 0)
4. Change the DC input voltage VIN from 0 to 12 V and measure the load
voltage VL with the help of voltmeter.
5. Plot the graph for load voltage VL v/s input voltage VIN
6. Calculate the Line regulation.

C) Load Regulation

1. Mount the components on the breadboard.

2. Connect the components according to the circuit diagram.
3. Note down the load voltage at no load i.e., VNL(RL = 1.5KΩ)
4. Vary the pot resistor and measure the load voltage VL and load current IL
with the help of voltmeter and milli-ammeter respectively.
5. Plot the graph for load voltage VL v/s load current IL.
6. Calculate the Load regulation.

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Electronic Devices and Circuits III Semester

Observation Table:
A) Forward and Reverse Bias Characteristics of Zener Diode

Reverse Bias Forward Bias

VZ IZ VZ IZ
0 0 0 0
-1.6 0 0.2 0
-3.2 0 0.3 0
-4.8 0 0.4 0
-5.6 0 0.6 0
-6.2 -2 0.7 2

B) Line Regulation:

VNL(IL = 0) = 5v

VIN VL (VFL)
0 0.0
2 1.8179
4 3.635
6 4.923
8 4.951
10 4.970
12 4.977
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Electronic Devices and Circuits III Semester

C) Load Regulation
IL VL
4.954 4.954
4.0 4.956
3.6 4.959
3.2 4.963
2.4 4.966
1.5 4.972
0.45 4.977

0.8
VNL(RL=1.5KΩ) :
4.954V

VFL (RL = 11.5 KΩ):

4.977V

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Electronic Devices and Circuits III Semester

Results:
1) VZ :
Forwad bias= 0.7v

Revese bias = -6.2v

2) Line Regulation %: 0.46%

3) Load Regulation %: 0.447%

Conclusion:

From the above experiment we studied to plot forward and reverse bias V-I characteristics
of a Zener diode and studied its function as a voltage regulator.

Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Department

Electronic Devices and Circuits III Semester

Grading:

Teacher’s
Execution Documentation Punctuality Experiment
Viva (02) Signature
(05) (01) (02) Marks (10)
with date

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