LAB MANUAL#2

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS AND

ZENER AS VOLTAGE REGULATOR
AIM:
a) To observe and draw the static characteristics of a zener diode
b) To find the voltage regulation of a given zener diode

APPARATUS:
1. Zener diode - 1No.
2. Regulated Power Supply (0-30v) - 1No.
3. Voltmeter (0-20v) - 1No.
4. Ammeter (0-20mA) - 1No.
5. Resistor (1K ohm)
6. Bread Board
7. Connecting wires

THEORY:
A zener diode is heavily doped p-n junction diode, specially made to operate in the break down
region. A p-n junction diode normally does not conduct when reverse biased. But if the reverse bias is
increased, at a particular voltage it starts conducting heavily. This voltage is called Break down
Voltage. High current through the diode can permanently damage 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 terminals whatever may be the current through it, i.e., it has very low
dynamic resistance. It is used in voltage regulators.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:
A) STATIC CHARACTERISTICS:

IF
R1 VZ
0.00
1kohm Amps

(0-20mA)

VF
RPS (0-20V)
(0-30V) -30.0
Volts
B) REVERSE BIAS CHARACTERISTICS:

IR
R1
-0.00
0.00
10kohm Amps

(0-200mA)

RPS VR
(0-30V) IN 4735 (0-20V)
-0.72
0.00
Volts

Model Graph:
OBSERVATIONS:
A) FORWARD BIAS Characteristics:
Sr.NO Applied Linear Forward
Voltage(V) Voltage(Vf) Current(If(mA))
1. 1.5 0 0
2. 2.0 0.1 0
3. 3.5 0.2 0
4. 4.0 0.3 0
5. 5.5 0.4 0
6. 6.0 0.5 0
7. 7.5 0.6 0.2
8. 8.0 0.62 0.2
9. 9.5 0.64 0.4
10. 10.0 0.66 0.6
11. 11.5 0.68 0.8
12. 12.0 0.70 1.2

B) REVERSE BIAS Characteristics:

Sr.NO Applied Reverse Voltage(VR) A) Reverse
Voltage(V) Current(IR(mA))
1. 1.5 0 0
2. 2.0 1 0
3. 3.5 2 0
4. 4.0 3 0
5. 5.5 4 0
6. 6.0 5 0
7. 7.5 6 0
8. 8.0 7 0
9. 9.5 8 0
10. 10.0 8.8 0.2
11. 11.5 9 0.4
12. 12.0 9.2 3.0

PROCEDURE:
A) Static characteristics:
1. Connections are made as per the circuit diagram.
2. The Regulated power supply voltage is increased in steps.
3. The Forward current (lf), and the forward voltage (Vf.) are observed and then noted in the
tabular form.
4. A graph is plotted between Forward current (lf) on X-axis and the forward voltage (Vf) on Y-
axis.

B) Load Regulation characteristics:

1. Connect the Circuit as per the Circuit Diagram on the bread board.
2. By changing the load Resistance, kept constant I/P Voltage at 5V, 10 V, 15 Vas per table given
below. Take the readings of O/P Voltmeter (Vo=Vz).
3.Now by changing the I/P Voltage, kept constant load Resistance at 1K, 2K, 3K as per table
given below. Take the readings of O/P Voltmeter (Vo=Vz).

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.

VIVA QUESTIONS:
1. What type of temp coefficient does the zener diode have?
At above 5 V, a Zener diode has a positive temperature coefficient, which means that Zener
voltage increases with temperature. At below 5 V, it shows a negative temperature coefficient;
Zener voltage decreases as temperature rises.
2. If the impurity concentration is increased, how the depletion width effected?
Depletion layer formation is a phenomenon which occurs due to the process of charge
diffusion. ... If the dopant concentrations are higher, then the effective width of the depletion layer
must be smaller as the ion build up will mean larger electric impedance over the smaller area,
halting the flow of charges.
3. Does the dynamic impendence of a zener diode vary?
Yes, dynamic impedance of zener diode vary.
4. Explain briefly about avalanche and zener breakdowns?
The avalanche breakdown occurs when a high reverse voltage is applied across the diode. As we
increase the applied reverse voltage, the electric field across the junction increases. ... Both these
breakdowns occur in Zener diodes.
5. Draw the zener equivalent circuit?

6. Differentiate between line regulation & load regulation?

Line regulation is the ability of a power supply to maintain the output voltage given changes in
the input line voltage. Load regulation is the ability of a power supply output to remain constant
given changes in the load. ... Improper use can cause ringing in your output signal or damage your
power supply.
7. In which region zener diode can be used as a regulator?
Zener diode operates in the breakdown region in the reverse bias, to regulate voltage. It allows a
wide range of currents almost at the same voltage. Zener diode is connected in reverse bias in a
circuit, for regulating voltage. It is also called a shunt regulator.
8. How the breakdown voltage of a particular diode can be controlled?
This Breakdown voltage of a particular diode can be controlled by the Doping process. This
means that the breakdown voltage can be controlled during the manufacturing stages itself by
making changes to the doping levels in the junction of the diode.
9. What type of temperature coefficient does the Avalanche breakdown has?
Due to increase in temperature, vibrations of atoms increases and thus reduces the mean free path
for electrons. Hence, in avalanche breakdown, breakdown voltage increases with increase in
temperature. Thus avalanche breakdown is positive temperature coefficient.
10. By what type of charge carriers the current flows in zener and avalanche breakdown
diodes?
When the reverse bias breakdown voltage is exceeded, a conventional diode is subject to high
current due to avalanche breakdown. ... Thus, the current flow in a Zener diode is mainly due to
collision generated charge carriers.
11. Define zener break down
Valence electrons which break free under the influence of the applied electric field can be
accelerated enough that they can knock loose other electrons and the subsequent collisions
quickly become an avalanche. This process of sudden release of electrons is known as zener
breakdown.
12. Applications of zener diode.
Zener diodes are used for voltage regulation, as reference elements, surge suppressors, and in
switching applications and clipper circuits. The load voltage equals breakdown voltage VZ of the
diode. The series resistor limits the current through the diode and drops the excess voltage when
the diode is conducting.
13. Explain how zener diode as voltage regulator.
Zener diodes are widely used as voltage references and as shunt regulators to regulate the voltage
across small circuits. When connected in parallel with a variable voltage source so that it is
reverse biased, a Zener diode conducts when the voltage reaches the diode's reverse breakdown
voltage.