A Zener diode is a type of diode that operates in the reverse

breakdown region, where it conducts a small amount of current at

a specific voltage known as the Zener voltage. This voltage is
determined by the doping level and thickness of the Zener diode,
and it is typically in the range of a few volts to several hundred
volts.

The primary function of a Zener diode is voltage regulation. When

the voltage applied to the Zener diode is less than the Zener
voltage, the diode behaves like an ordinary diode, and there is no
current flow through it. However, when the voltage applied to the
Zener diode exceeds the Zener voltage, the diode begins to
conduct current in the reverse direction, and the voltage across
the diode remains constant at the Zener voltage. This means that
a Zener diode can be used to regulate voltage and maintain a
constant voltage level across a load, even when the input voltage
fluctuates.

In addition to voltage regulation, Zener diodes are also used for

voltage reference and protection. When used as a voltage
reference, a Zener diode can be connected in series with a
resistor to provide a stable reference voltage that can be used for
comparison purposes. Zener diodes can also be used for
overvoltage protection in electronic circuits, where they prevent
damage to sensitive components by limiting the voltage applied
to them.

Zener diodes come in various sizes and shapes, and they are
widely used in electronic circuits such as power supplies, voltage
regulators, and surge suppressors. They are also commonly used
in automotive electronics, where they protect sensitive electronic
components from voltage spikes and surges.

In summary, Zener diodes are important electronic components

that have numerous applications in voltage regulation, voltage
reference, and overvoltage protection. Their unique reverse
breakdown characteristic makes them an essential component in
many electronic circuits, where they help ensure reliable and
stable operation.

Experiment: Zener Diode Voltage Regulation

Materials:

● Zener diode
● DC power supply
● Resistor
● Multimeter
● Breadboard
● Connecting wires

Procedure:

1. Build the circuit shown in the diagram below, where the

Zener diode is connected in reverse bias with a series
resistor R and the input voltage is supplied by a DC power
supply.
 2. Set the power supply voltage to 12V and measure the
voltage across the Zener diode and resistor using a
multimeter.
3. Increase the input voltage in steps of 1V, and record the
corresponding voltage across the Zener diode and resistor
for each step.
4. Tabulate the results in a table.

Diagram:

Table of Observations:

Input Voltage Voltage across Zener Voltage across

(V) Diode (V) Resistor (V)

12 0.7 11.3

13 0.7 12.3

14 0.7 13.3
15 0.7 14.3

16 0.7 15.3

17 0.7 16.3

18 0.7 17.3

19 0.7 18.3

20 0.7 19.3

Observations:

● The voltage across the Zener diode remains constant at

0.7V, which is the breakdown voltage of the diode.
● The voltage across the resistor increases linearly with the
input voltage.
 ● The circuit provides a stable output voltage of 0.7V across
the Zener diode, even when the input voltage varies.

Conclusion:

This experiment demonstrates the voltage regulation capability of

the Zener diode, where it maintains a constant voltage across a
load, even when the input voltage varies. The results show that
the voltage across the Zener diode remains constant at the
breakdown voltage, while the voltage across the resistor
increases linearly with the input voltage.
Here is an example table of observations for a Zener diode

experiment:

Input Voltage (V) Output Voltage (V) Current (mA)

5 3.3 5

10 3.3 5

15 3.3 5
20 3.3 5

25 3.3 5

30 3.3 5

35 3.3 5

40 3.3 5

45 3.3 5

50 3.3 5

In this experiment, a Zener diode is connected in reverse bias

across a variable DC power supply. The input voltage is gradually

increased in steps of 5V, and the output voltage and current are

recorded at each step. The Zener diode is expected to maintain a

constant output voltage of 3.3V, regardless of the input voltage,

as long as the input voltage is above the Zener breakdown

voltage.

As seen in the table, the output voltage remains constant at 3.3V,

while the input voltage increases. The current through the Zener

diode remains constant at 5mA, as the diode is designed to

operate in the Zener breakdown region, where the current remains

relatively constant with changes in voltage.

This experiment demonstrates the voltage regulation property of

Zener diodes and shows how they can be used to maintain a

constant voltage output in electronic circuits.

Proper conclusion

Zener diodes are widely used in various applications due to their

unique properties, such as voltage regulation, voltage reference,
and overvoltage protection. Some of the common uses of Zener
diodes include:
Voltage Regulation: Zener diodes are commonly used for voltage
regulation in electronic circuits, where they help maintain a
constant voltage level across a load. They are widely used in
power supplies, voltage regulators, and battery charging circuits.

Voltage Reference: Zener diodes can be used as a stable voltage

reference in electronic circuits, where they provide a fixed
reference voltage that can be used for comparison purposes.
They are commonly used in analog circuits, digital circuits, and
microcontroller-based systems.

Overvoltage Protection: Zener diodes can be used for overvoltage

protection in electronic circuits, where they prevent damage to
sensitive components by limiting the voltage applied to them.
They are commonly used in automotive electronics, power
distribution systems, and communication equipment.

Signal Clipping: Zener diodes can be used to clip or limit the

amplitude of a signal in electronic circuits, where they prevent the
signal from exceeding a certain voltage level.

In summary, Zener diodes are versatile electronic components

that find extensive use in voltage regulation, voltage reference,
and overvoltage protection applications. Their unique properties
make them an essential component in many electronic circuits,
where they help ensure reliable and stable operation.

While Zener diodes have many useful properties, they also have
some disadvantages. Here are some of the drawbacks of Zener
diodes:
 1. Limited Power Handling Capability: Zener diodes are
typically small-signal devices and have limited power
handling capability. They may not be suitable for high-power
applications where larger currents are involved.
2. Non-Linear Characteristics: The voltage-current
characteristics of Zener diodes are non-linear, which means
that the voltage across the diode changes significantly with
small changes in the current flowing through it. This can lead
to difficulties in circuit design and may require additional
components to linearize the characteristics.
3. Temperature Sensitivity: Zener diodes are sensitive to
changes in temperature, which can affect their voltage
regulation properties. At higher temperatures, the breakdown
voltage may decrease, leading to a change in the output
voltage.
4. Reverse Leakage Current: Zener diodes have a small amount
of reverse leakage current that flows when the diode is not
conducting. This can cause power dissipation and reduce
the efficiency of the circuit.
5. Limited Range of Breakdown Voltage: Zener diodes have a
limited range of breakdown voltage, which may not be
suitable for all voltage regulation applications.

In summary, while Zener diodes have many useful properties, they

also have some disadvantages, such as limited power handling
capability, non-linear characteristics, temperature sensitivity,
reverse leakage current, and a limited range of breakdown
voltage. These limitations must be taken into account when
designing circuits that use Zener diodes.