Academic year 2022/2023

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING PROGRAM

EEF362- ANALOG ELECTRONICS LABORATORY

GROUP (EE)
SGP

Group members;

Date: 22nd MAY 2023

LAB REPORT

Title: Zener Diode Characteristics, Experimental Analysis and

Applications

Aim: This report presents the experimental analysis and characterization

of Zener diodes, focusing on their unique characteristics and applications.

The objective of the study was to measure the effects of forward and
reverse bias on Zener diode current and construct the Zener diode
characteristic curve. Additionally, the report aims to explore the
functionality of a Zener voltage regulator and understand its advantages
over other regulators. The experimental work involved setting up circuits,
measuring voltages and currents, and analyzing the obtained data. The
results confirmed the Zener diode's ability to regulate voltage within a
specific range and demonstrated its suitability for various electronic
applications.

Results:
1. Introduction:

Zener diodes are specialized semiconductor devices that exploit the reverse
breakdown phenomenon to provide precise voltage regulation. Unlike
regular PN junction diodes, Zener diodes are designed to operate in the
reverse-biased region and exhibit a controlled breakdown voltage, known
as the Zener voltage. This report presents an in-depth analysis of Zener
diode characteristics, including the Zener effect and avalanche effect, as
well as their applications in voltage regulation.
A) SIMULATION

1) Figure 1

• Forward bias

• Reverse bias
2) Figure 2
B) Experimental work:

The experimental setup involved the following components:

- DC power supply

- Zener diode

- Resistors

- Wires

- Project board

- Voltmeter

- Ammeter

• Characterization of Zener Diode:(Forward biased)

To characterize the Zener diode, a circuit was constructed as per Figure 1. The
Zener diode was connected in forward bias , and the forward voltage (Vr)
across the diode and the forward current (If) through the diode were
 measured at various power supply voltages. The obtained data was recorded
in Table 1.

Table 1: Zener Diode Characterization Data

Vf(V) 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9

If(mA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.02 0.04 0.13 0.22

• Characterization of Zener Diode(Reverse biased)

Table 2: Zener Diode Characterization Data(Reverse biased)

Vz(V) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 13 14 15

Iz(mA) 0 0 0 0 0 1.33 3.33 4.31 5.38 6.33

• Characterization of Zener Diode in Figure 2

RL(kΩ) 1 2 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7

IZ(mA) 11.33 11.31 11.30 11.31 11.35 11.32 11.31 11.32 11.33 11.31 11.30

IL(mA) 10.02 6.63 4.86 4.50 3.92 3.64 3.37 3.05 2.86 2.66 2.48

VL(V)
 Results and Discussion:
The recorded data from the Zener diode characterization experiment was
used to plot the Zener diode characteristic curve, showcasing the
relationship between forward voltage (Vr) and forward current (If). The
curve displayed a near-vertical slope at the breakdown voltage, indicating
the Zener diode's ability to maintain a constant voltage across a wide range
of currents in the reverse-biased region.

In the Zener voltage regulator experiment, the voltage across the Zener
diode and the load resistor was observed to remain relatively constant
within a specific range of input voltages. This demonstrated the
effectiveness of the Zener diode in regulating voltage, protecting sensitive
components from voltage fluctuations.
APPLICATIONS

Zener diodes find various applications in electronic circuits, including but not
limited to:

- Voltage regulation in power supplies: Zener diodes can be used to stabilize

output voltage in power supplies and prevent overvoltage conditions.

- Overvoltage protection: Zener diodes act as voltage clamps to protect sensitive

components from voltage spikes and

CONCLUSION
The experimental analysis and characterization of Zener diodes provided
valuable insights into their unique characteristics and applications. The
constructed Zener diode characteristic curve showcased the diode's ability
to maintain a constant voltage in the reverse-biased region. The near-
vertical slope of the curve at the breakdown voltage demonstrated the
Zener diode's stability and its ability to regulate voltage across a wide
range of currents.

The Zener voltage regulator circuit further confirmed the Zener diode's
effectiveness in maintaining a constant output voltage within a specific
range of input voltages. This characteristic makes Zener diodes suitable for
applications requiring voltage regulation and protection against voltage
fluctuations.

The applications of Zener diodes span various electronic circuits, including

voltage regulation in power supplies, overvoltage protection, voltage
clamping and clipping, precision voltage references, signal conditioning in
analog circuits, and voltage stabilization in feedback systems. The precise
voltage regulation provided by Zener diodes makes them essential
components in many electronic devices.

In conclusion, the experimental analysis of Zener diodes demonstrated

their unique characteristics and highlighted their significance in electronic
circuits. Understanding the behavior and applications of Zener diodes is
crucial for designing reliable and stable voltage regulation systems.