Experiment 3

ZENER DIODE AS VOLTAGE REGULATOR

OBJECTIVE/S:
Study zener diode as voltage regulator against a changing source and a changing load.
Compute, from measurements, the line regulation of a zener regulator circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

A zener diode is a special type of diode where the diode has been optimized for operation in the
reverse or avalanche region. This is completely the opposite of normal diodes or rectifier where every
effort is made to keep the diode from breaking down in a reverse direction. The breakdown voltage can
be well controlled and yields a device which exhibits a constant breakdown voltage over a wide range of
currents. There is always a series resistor to limit the avalanche current and the zener find a great use
as a voltage regulator. In forward direction the zener diode acts as a normal forward biased diode as
shown in the circuit curve in Figure 6-1.

Figure 6-1. Zener Characteristic

Voltage Regulator: A voltage regulator circuit is required to maintain a constant DC output voltage across
the load terminals in spite of the variation:
• Variation of input mains voltage
• Change in the load current
• Change in temperature

For the purpose of regulating the voltage, zener diode is operated always in reverse biased condition. Here,
zener is operated in break down region and it is used to regulate the across a load when there are variations in
the supply voltage or load current.
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Figure 6-2. Zener Voltage Regulator

The input source current IS = IZ + IL

The voltage drop across the series resistance VRS = Vin – VZ
Current flowing through it IS = VRS/RS
From the equation we get (VIN – VZ) / RS = IZ + IL

Regulation with varying input voltage:

It is defined as the change in regulated voltage with respect to variation in line voltage. In this, input
voltage varies but load resistance remains constant hence, the voltage. In this input voltage varies but
load resistance remains constant hence, the load current remains constant. As the input voltage
increases, IS also varies accordingly. Therefore, zener current I Z will increase. The extra voltage is
dropped across RS. Since, increased IZ will still have a constant VZ and VZ is equal to VOUT. The output
voltage will remain constant.

If there is decrease in VIN, IZ decreases as load current remains constant and voltage drop across
RS is reduced. But even IZ may change, VZ remains constant hence, output voltage remains constant.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
Power supply, Breadboard, Multimeter
Resistors (1 pc, 220 Ω ; 2.2 k Ω), Zener diode (1N5240B)

PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 6-2. Set RS = 220 Ω and RL = 2.2 kΩ
2. Set VS listed in Table 6-1 and measure the output (load) voltage, Vout.

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Table 6-1.

VS VS (measured) IL (computed) VR1 (measured) IS (computed) IZ (computed)

2V 2V 0.21A 1.81 0.00822A -0.20178
4V 4V 0.2478A 2.71 0.01231A -0.23549
6V 6V 0.2975A 3.04 0.01381A -0.28369
8V 8V 0.3477A 3.23 0.01468A -0.33302
10 V 10V 0.3969A 3.37 0.01531A -0.38159

3. From the measurement in step (2), complete Table 6-1. Apply ohm’s law to compute the load
current, IL, for each sitting of the source. Note that IS is through RS and can be found using ohm’s
law. Find the zener current IZ, by applying Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL) to the junction at the top
of the zener diode.

What happens to the zener current after the breakdown voltage is reached?

Once the breakdown voltage is reached in the reverse-biased zener diode, the zener diode
operates in the breakdown or avalanche region. In this region, the zener diode exhibits a nearly
constant voltage drop across its terminals, known as the zener voltage (VZ). If the current through
the diode remains within its specified range, the zener voltage and, consequently, the output
voltage (VOUT) will remain relatively constant.
After the breakdown voltage, any increase in the reverse current (IZ) would not significantly
affect the zener voltage, and the zener diode will maintain a stable voltage across the load.

4. Line regulation of a zener regulator is normally expressed as a percentage and is given by the
equation
△ 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑥100%
△ 𝑉𝑖𝑛
Compute the line regulation expressed as percentage for the circuit in Figure 6-2 using data for
the last two rows of Table 6-1, (Note that Vin in the equation is equivalent to VS in the table)

𝛥𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇
𝛥𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 𝑉𝑅1(10𝑉) − 𝑉𝑅1(8𝑉) 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 100%
𝛥𝑉𝐼𝑁

𝛥𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 3.37 𝑉 − 3.23 𝑉 = 0.14 𝑉

𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 100%
0.14 𝑉 2𝑉

𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 7%
𝛥𝑉𝐼𝑁 = 𝑉𝑆(10𝑉) − 𝑉𝑆(8𝑉)

𝛥𝑉𝐼𝑁 = 10 𝑉 − 8 𝑉 = 2 𝑉

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OBSERVATION:

Based on the laboratory experiment conducted during the last meeting, the objective was to
integrate a Zener diode into a circuit to assess how this specialized diode can regulate the circuit's
voltage. The results of the data collected during the experiment revealed a direct proportionality between
the voltages and the measured voltage across the load resistor (VRL). As the input source voltage (VS)
increased, the corresponding VRL also exhibited an increase. This direct relationship underscores the
Zener diode's effectiveness in regulating the output voltage across the load resistor, showcasing its ability
to maintain a stable voltage level despite variations in the input source voltage. The carefully controlled
breakdown characteristics of the Zener diode were evident in the consistency of the VRL measurements,
reinforcing its role as a reliable voltage regulator in the circuit. Calculations for load current (IL), source
current (IS), and Zener current (IZ) further elucidated the dynamic response of the circuit under varying
conditions. These observations collectively emphasize the practical application and efficiency of Zener
diodes in voltage regulation circuits.

CONCLUSION:

The experiment successfully demonstrated the operation of a zener diode as a voltage regulator.
Even when things like the input voltage change, the zener diode steps in and makes sure the output
voltage stays constant. By operating in its breakdown region, the zener diode maintains a constant output
voltage despite variations in the input voltage. This stability makes zener diodes suitable for various
electronic applications requiring precise voltage regulation. This is super useful in electronics because it
helps make sure our circuits work reliably, no matter what's happening with the power supply.

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS:

1. Zener diode are also known as
a. Voltage regulators c. Breakdown diode
b. Forward bias diode d. None of the mentioned
2. Which of the following is true about the resistance of a Zener diode?
a. It has an incremental resistance
b. It has dynamic resistance
c. The value of the resistance is the inverse of the slope
d. All of the mentioned
3. Which of the following is true about the temperature coefficient or TC of the Zener diode?
a. For the Zener voltage less than 5V, TC is negative
b. For the Zener voltage around 5V, TC can be made zero
c. For higher values of Zener voltage, TC is positive
d. All of the above
4. In Zener diode, for currents greater than knee current, the v-I curve is almost

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a. Almost a straight line parallel to y-axis

b. Almost a straight line parallel to x-axis
c. Equally inclined to both the axes with a positive slope
d. Equally inclined to both the axes with a negative slope
5. Zener diodes can be effectively used in voltage regulator. However, they are these days being
replaced by more efficient
a. Operational amplifier c. Integrated Circuits
b. MOSFET d. None of the mentioned
6. A 9.1-V zener diode exhibits its nominal voltage at a test current of 28 mA. At this current the
incremental resistance is specified as 5Ω. Find VZO of the Zener model.
a. 8.96V c. 9.17V
b. 9.03V d. 9.24V
7. In Zener diode with high breakdown voltage
a. Both P and N are heavily doped c. Either P or N is lightly doped
b. Both P and N are lightly doped d. None of the above
8. In Zener diode, the Zener breakdown takes place
a. Above 6V c. At 6V
b. Below 6V d. None of the above
9. The current in Zener diode is controlled by
a. Zener diode resistance c. Reverse bias voltage
b. Potential barrier d. External Circuit
10. A Zener diode when biased correctly
a. Acts as a fixed resistance c. Has a constant voltage across it
b. Never overheats d. Has a constant current passing through it

Angeles, M., Nalunat, J. (2023)