Simulation Activity 2.

1
THE ZENER AND LIGHT EMITTING DIODE
Course: ECE 0112 Section: CPE2222311
Instructor: Engr. John Smith Date Performed: 5/31/21
Name John Doe Date Submitted: 6/1/21
Student No.:122881

1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to present the use of LED and Zener diodes in various physical forms and to
distinguish them from rectifying diodes.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
1) Analyze the forward-bias and reverse-bias characteristics of LED and Zener diode.
2) Examine the reverse breakdown characteristics of a Zener diode.
3. Discussion:
A reverse-biased diode passes negligible current. It will eventually suffer breakdown and damage if the
reverse voltage is made too high. Zener diodes are specially constructed to break down at controllable
voltages and to do so without damage to the device. As we shall see in the included assignments, this
feature can be put to good use.

Schematic Symbol for a Zener Diode

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) use specially selected P-type and N-type semiconductor material in their P-
N junction in order to make them emit colored light. The color of the light can be varied by altering the
amount and type of impurities present in the semiconductor material.
4. Procedure:

This simulation activity illustrates that the forwards-biased characteristics of LED and Zener diode are
the same as those of a conventional diode. And for the Zener diode when reverse-biased, they break
down at a defined voltage and suffer no damage.

Activity 1

The Light Emitting Diode

1) Connect the circuit in Multisim as shown in Figure 1. You can get the Switch shown in the screenshot
Figure 2. You can also locate the LED shown in the screenshot Figure 3. You can choose whatever
LED color you like.

2) Once connecting Figure 1, press F5 or Run button to run simulation.

3) While the simulation is running, you may click the switch to SWITCH ON or you may press your
spacebar and you should see the LED indication that is “illuminating”. If it does not light, you have
probably got the wires the wrong way round and have the LED reverse-biased.
 Figure 1. LED circuit

Figure 2. Location of Switch

 Figure 3
4) Measure diode voltage VLED and resistor voltage VR using DMM. Record these values in Table 1.

5) Complete Table 1 by calculating the current using Ohms law with V R and the resistor R1, IR = VR /R1

6) As the voltage across the LED and the current through it are known, the power dissipation can be
calculated. The maximum power that the device can handle will be stated on the datasheet for the
device and should not be exceeded or the device will fail.

7) The maximum power rating of the LED used on the work-board is 62.5mW.

8) Complete Table 1 then by computing the power consumed using P = VI.

Table 1. LED circuits

LED Voltage Current (mA)

Circuit Resistor Voltage VR Power (mW)
VLED IR
LED - Red 1.814V 3.186V 15.93mA 28.9mW
 End of Activity 1

*Therefore, the calculated power dissipation is less than the maximum power rating of the LED.

Activity 2

The Zener Diode

1) Connect the circuit in Multisim as shown in Figure 4. For the Zener Diode, let’s use BZX84J-B5V1
from NXP with Zener voltage Vz = 5.1V. You can get the Zener diode in the figure shown in Fig. 5.

2) Measure VR2, VR1 and VD1 using DMM. After measuring VR1, calculate the current IR1 using Ohms law
with VR1 and the resistor value IR1 = VR1 /R1.

3) Record the values in Table 2 at their corresponding parameters.

4) Now change the value of R1 to 2000 ohms. Repeat steps #2 and #3.

5) What can you say now with the operation of the Zener diode D1 when we change our resistance
value from 500ohms to 2000 ohms?

The resistor voltage value VR2 became lower after changing the value of resistor to 2000ohms and
also lowered the current across the R1 due to the opening of the zener diode after achieving the
zener effect.
 Figure 4. Zener Diode circuit

Figure 5

Table 2. Zener circuits

Circuit Zener Voltage Resistor Voltage Resistor Load current

 Vz VR2 Voltage VR1 IR1
Zener Diode with 3.333V 6.667V 3.333V 6.67mA
R1 = 500ohms
Zener Diode with 5.088V 4.912V 5.088V 2.54mA
R1 = 2000hms

End of Activity 2
5. Conclusion:

After doing this activity, I gained another set of leaning especially about the functionality of the LEDs. I
also be able to witness the actual function of the zener diodes when in reversed and forward biased,
it really acts as a normal diode when in forward bias while it breaks down when in reverse biased
without having a damage. It is much easier to understand because you can see the real-time values
like current and voltage passing through the wires as I simulate.

6. Assessment Task:

1.Define the main difference between a rectifier diode and a Zener diode? What is their difference in
circuit applications?

Rectifier diodes has a high breakdown voltage which is usually used for rectification purposes in a
half or full-bridge rectifier. On the other hand, Zener diodes are usually used as a voltage regulator in
electronic circuits. The difference of Zener diode to the rectifier diode is that it could undergo
breakdown without being damaged at all because it is heavily doped compared to the other diodes.
Meaning, it allows more electric current than the normal p-n junction diodes.

2.What is the effect of applying negative voltage onto the Zener diode?

If we apply negative voltage, then the zener diode will become forward-biased, therefore it will
behave/function just like an ordinary diode.
3. Discuss how the LED operates; cite some of its internal structure that enables it to emit light.

Light emitting diode or LED operates just like a normal diode where the free electrons from the n
region gain enough energy to cross the junction and fill in the holes in the p region. But what makes
it different from a normal diode is the semiconductor used in it. Instead of using a silicon or
germanium just like the normal diodes have, LEDs are constructed from compound semiconductors
like Gallium Arsenide, Gallium Phosphide, etc. which is capable of releasing energy in the form of
light when in forward biased unlike Silicon diodes which releases energy in the form of heat.