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MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY JAMSHORO

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

LABORATORY PRACTICAL HANDOUTS OF BASIC ELECTRONICS
THIRD SEMESTER SECOND YEAR (14 ME_Batch) REGULAR EXAMINATION 2015

Name: ________________________________________ Roll No: ____________________

Score: _________________Signature of Tutor: _______________Date:_______________

LAB # 07
V/I Characteristics of Zener Diode using MultiSim 2001
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
(i)

To observe and draw the static characteristics of a zener diode.

(ii)

To find the voltage regulation of a given zener diode.

(iii) Simulation & Verification of electric circuit theory using MultiSim.

(iv) Regulation characteristics
(v)

Model Waveform

REQUIREMET OF MULTISIM SIMULATION:

(i)

Pentium Based (and Above) PC System.

(ii)

Windows 2000/XP Operating.

(iii)

MultiSim software 2001.

APPARATUS:
Zener diode.
Regulated Power Supply (0-20v).
Voltmeter (0-20v), Ammeter (0-100mA)
Resistors (1K)
Circuit Diagram:
Static Characteristics:

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Regulation Characteristics:

THEORY:
A Zener diode is heavily doped pn-junction diode, specially made to operate in the
break down region. A pn- junction diode normally does not conduct when reverse biased. But
if the reverse bias is increased, at a particular voltage it starts conduction heavily. This
voltage is called Break down voltage. High current through the diode can permanently the
device.
To avoid high current, we connect a resistor in series with zener diode. Once the
diode starts conducting it maintains almost constant voltage across the terminal whatever may
be the current through it, i.e. it has very low dynamic resistance. It is used in voltage
regulators.
PROCEDURE:
Static characteristics:
1. Connectors are made as per the circuit diagram.
2. The regulated power supply is increased in steps.
3. The zener current (Iz), and the zener voltage (Vz) are observed and then noted in the
tabular form.
4. The graph is plotted between the zener current (Iz) and zener voltage (Vz).
Regulation characteristics:
1. The voltage regulation of any device is usually expressed as percentage regulation.
2. The percentage regulation is given by the formula
((VNL- VFL)/VFL)*100
VNL=Voltage across the diode, when no load is connected.
VFL=Voltage across the diode, when load is connected.
3. Connection are made as per the circuit diagram
4. The load is placed in full load condition and the zener voltage (Vz), Zener
current (lz), load current (IL) are measured.
5. The above step is repeated by decreasing the value of the load in steps.
6. All the readings are tabulated.
7. The percentage regulation is calculated using the above formula.

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OBSERVATIONS:Static characteristics:S.NO.

ZENER
VOLTAGE(VZ)

ZENER CURRENT(IZ)

1.
2.
3.
Regulation characteristics:S.N0.

VNL(VOLTS)

VFL (VOLTS)

RL (K)

% REGULATION

1.
2.
3.

MODEL WAVEFORMS:-

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PRECAUTIONS:1. The terminals of the zener diode should be properly identified

2. While determined the load regulation, load should not be immediately shorted.
3. Should be ensured that the applied voltages & currents do not exceed the ratings of
the diode.

Questions:
[1] What is the breakdown voltage of Zener diode used in your practical? What is the power
capacity? What is the maximum current that you can pass through it?
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[2] Can we operate normal PN junction diode in breakdown region for longer duration? Give
reason
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[3] What is the specialty of Zener diode so as we can operate it in breakdown region for
longer duration
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[4] What is the difference between Zener breakdown and Avalanche breakdown?
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[5] Draw Zener regulator circuit to obtain regulated DC voltage 6.8 V. Considering input DC
voltage in the range from 10V to 30V. Consider load resistance of 10K.

[6] Determine maximum and minimum value of Zener current if value of series resistance is
1 K, load resistance is 2K and input varies from 10V to 30V. Zener voltage is 5 V.
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Note: For any suggestion or confusion email to: engr.permanand@gmail.com