To obtain the V-I characteristics of Zener diode

Experiment #9

BY;
ASMA SHAHEEN
OBJECTIVES:

(i) To understand the concept and working of zener diode.

(ii) To obtain V-I characteristics of zener diode.
Introduction:
The Zener diode is designed to operate in reverse breakdown
region. Zener diode is used for voltage regulation purpose.
Zener diodes are designed for specific reverse breakdown
voltage called Zener breakdown voltage (VZ). The value of VZ
depends on amount of doping. Breakdown current is limited by
power dissipation capacity of the zener diode. If power capacity
of the Zener is 1 W and Zener voltage is 10V, highest reverse
current is 0.1A or 100 mA. If current increases more than this
limit, diode will be damaged. Forward characteristics of the
Zener diode are similar to normal PN junction diode.

Experiment Procedure:
• Connect the power supply, voltmeter, current meter with the diode
as shown in the figure for reverse bias. You can use two
multimeters (one to measure current through diode and other to
measure voltage across diode)
• Increase voltage from the power supply from 0V to 20V in step as
shown in the observation table
• Measure voltage across diode and current through diode. Note
down readings in the observation table.
• Reverse DC power supply polarity for forward bias
• Repeat the above procedure for the different values of supply
voltage for reverse bias
• Draw VI characteristics for reverse bias and forward bias in one
graph
Circuit diagram (reverse bias)
 XMM1

R1

1kΩ
D1 XMM2
5V
V1
30V

Draw Vz-Iz characteristics of Zener junction diode: Reverse

Biase:
 1.2 6

1 5

0.8 4

0.6 3

0.4 2

0.2 1

0 0
0 -2 -4 -8
#REF! Vz Iz

Circuit diagram (forward bias):

 XMM1

R1

1kΩ
XMM2
D1
5V
V1
30V

Observation table: (Forward bias)

S Supp Zener Diode
r ly Diode
.
N Volta Voltage Current
o ge
Vs(V Vz (Volts) Iz(mA)
olts)
1 0 0 0
2 2 0.5 1.4
3 4 0.5 3.4
4 8 0.5 7.4
5 12 0.6 11.3
6 16 0.6 15.3
7 20 0.6 19.3
8 24 0.6 23.3
9 28 0.6 27.3
1 30 0.6 29.4
0
Draw Vz-Iz characteristics of Zener junction diode: Forward
Biase:

Chart Title
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Column1

Supply voltage Diode current Zener Diode voltage

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?
Break down voltage I use in my practical is
of 5V . Power Capacity of zener is product
of current and voltage. The minimum
current in forward biased is 29.4mA
and the minimum current in reverse biased
is 24.9mA.
[2] Can we operate normal PN
junction diode in breakdown region
for longer duration? Give reason
No, we cannot use PN junction diode in
breakdown region because the breakdown
voltage of simple diode is very small and after
sometime diode break down due to light
doping.

[3] What is the specialty of Zener diode

so as we can operate it in breakdown
region for longer duration?
zener diode is highly doped and act as a
regulator in reverse biased region. when we
supply high voltage in reverse region it
regulates the voltage according to its
breakdown voltage
[4] What is the difference between Zener
breakdown and Avalanche breakdown?
ZENER BREAKDOWN
The process by which electrons move
across a barrier from the valence band of a
p-type material to the conduction band of
an n-type material is known as Zener
breakdown.
It occurs in diodes that are highly doped.
AVALANCHE BREAKDOWN
The process of applying high voltage and
increasing the number of free electrons or
electric current in semiconductors and
insulating materials
It occurs in diodes that are lightly doped.
Observations & Discussion
Zener diode VI curve is sharp
curve that is obtained in the
result of regulation of zener. It
regulates its output voltage at any
cost irrespective of varying i