Power Electronics Lab 1: Zener Shunt Regulator

You have been asked to design a shunt regulator with the following specification:

• Input voltage: between 10 and 15V

• Output voltage: nominally 6.2V
• Load current: nominally 10mA

The experimental set-up you will need is shown in (). Each workstation will have sufficient
power supplies and meters. The variable load you will need can be a range of resistors or a
variable potentiometer. A range of resistors are in the racks on the wall: PLEASE ENSURE
YOU RETURN COMPONENTS TO THE CORRECT RACK/DRAWER WHEN DONE.

Ensure all experimental notes are written up in your logbooks: you may need them in a later
session.

(i) Prepare the components for a simple zener shunt regulator to meet the above
specification - record the values in your logbooks.

(ii) Assemble the shunt regulator on the provided on a Vero board. The meters and
variable load will have to be wired. BEFORE APPLYING ANY POWER quickly
have your circuit checked!

Set the variable load to its highest value, then:

(iii) With the power supply set to the bottom of the specified range of input voltages, plot
regulator load voltage to a base of load current in your logbooks (you can alternatively
use a spreadsheet program to do the plotting if you prefer - there are computers in the
lab - but remember that all curves should be smooth). The load current should be
increased by reducing the load resistance. Identify:

(a) the maximum load voltage from the regulator

(b) the maximum load current from the regulator

(iv) Repeat part (iii) with the power supply set to the top of the specified range.

(v) With reference to the experimental data you obtained, answer the following questions
in your logbooks. You will need this information later to help you effectively prepare
the first coursework component.

(a) Is the maximum load voltage constant with input voltage?

(b) Is the maximum load current constant with input voltage?
(c) Does the output characteristic (what you plotted in (iii) and (iv)) differ
generally with respect to the input voltage? If so, how?
(d) A portion of the output characteristic will show a load voltage that is constant
with load current. In the constant voltage portion, how close is the constant
voltage to the zener voltage? Is this what you expect? If not, why not?
(e) At what point does the load voltage significantly deviate from the constant
voltage part of the curve? At this point, calculate the zener current (Hint: you
know input voltage, the resistor value, output voltage and output current).

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 Power Electronics Lab 1: Zener Shunt Regulator

(f) Measure the efficiency of the regulator for the lowest input voltage specified,
at a point just before the output characteristic ceases to show relatively
constant voltage (Hint: you will need to measure the input current as well: you
may need another meter). What efficiency figure do you get?

Is this the most or least efficient operating point of the regulator?

Figure 1: Shunt regulator

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