FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

ELEKTRIK DAN ELEKTRONIK

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

ELECTRONIC FUNDAMENTALS

BEEE 1323 SEMESTER 2 SESI 2019/2020

LAB 1: BASIC OF DIODE, ZENER DIODE AND APPLICATIONS

NO. STUDENTS' NAME MATRIC. NO.

1. MUHAMMAD MUADDIB BAKHTIAR BIN MUZAFAR B081910327

2. MUHAMMAD HAIQAL BIN SAIFUL NIZAM B081910161

3.

PROGRAMME 1 BEEE / 1 BEEZ / 1 BEET

SECTION /
1BEEE S1/1
GROUP

DATE 27 FEB 2020

1. DR FARA ASHIKIN
NAME OF
INSTRUCTOR(S)
2.

EXAMINER’S COMMENT(S) TOTAL MARKS

Rev. Date Author(s) Description
No.

1.0 30 JAN 1. Update to new UTeM logo

2019
2. Update faculty's name
3. Change "course" to
"programme"
4. Remove verification stamp

2.0 4 FEB Dr. Fara Ashikin Binti Ali 1. Update session academic
2020 2. Remove the 4th objective
3. Change ‘Part A – C’ to ‘Part 1
– 3’ and eliminate Part 3
4. Revise the synopsis & theory
5. Revise the procedures and
experimental results
1.0 OBJECTIVES

• To measure the forward and reverse-biased current and voltage characteristics for the PN
junction diode.
• To compare the I-V characteristics of a diode and Zener diode.
• To observe, explain and design the phenomenon of clipping and clamping using silicon
diode.

2.0 EQUIPMENT/COMPONENTS

PART 1: BASICS OF DIODE & ZENER DIODE

• Multimeter
• Resistor 1kΩ - 2 unit
• Diode IN4001 - 2 unit
• 1N5231B (Zener Diode)
• Breadboard
• DC Power Supply

PART 2: CLIPPERS & CLAMPERS

• Breadboard
• Oscilloscope
• Function Generator
• Resistor 1k  2.2k and 100k - 1 unit each
• Capacitor 1µF - 1 unit
• DC Power Supply
• Multimeter

3.0 SYNOPSIS & THEORY

3.1 Basic of Diode

Generally, the ideal diode I-V characteristic and the symbol of diode are shown in Figure 3.1.
However, a practical silicon or germanium diode has a general shape as shown in Figure 3.2. Note
the change in scale for both the vertical and horizontal axes. In the reverse biased region the
reverse saturation currents are fairly constant from 0V to the Zener potential. In the forward bias
region the current increases quite rapidly with increasing diode voltage. Note that the curve is
rising almost vertically at a forward-biased voltage of less than 1V. The forward biased diode
current will limited solely by the network in which the diode is connected or by the maximum
current or power rating of the diode.

Figure 3.1: Ideal diode I-V characteristic and symbol

The ‘firing potential’ or threshold voltage is determined by extending a straight line tangent to the
curves until it hits the horizontal axis. The intersection with the VD axis will determine the threshold
voltage VT at which the current begins to rise rapidly.

The DC or static resistance of a diode at any point on the characteristics is determined by the ratio
of the diode voltage at that point, divided by the diode current. That is:
VD
R = 
DC
ID

Figure 3.2: Silicon and Germanium characteristics

The AC resistance at a particular diode current or voltage can be determined using a tangent line
drawn as shown in Figure 3.3. The resulting voltage (ΔV) and current (ΔI) deviations can then be
measured and the following equation applied.
ΔV
r = 
d
ΔI

It can be shown through the application of differential calculus that the AC resistance of a diode in
the vertical rise section of the characteristics is given by:
26mV
rd = 
ID
 Figure 3.3: Determination of AC resistance of diode

For levels of current at and below the knee of the curve the AC resistance of a silicon diode is
better approximated by:
26mV
r = 2[ ]
d
ID

3.2 Clipper and Clamper

Basic clipper circuit consists of diode and resistor. It is used to clip or eliminate the portion of the
alternating signal and also used to convert the alternating signal to a pulsating dc signal. DC
battery will be used to provide additional shifts or clips the applied voltage.

Basic clamper circuit consists of diode, resistor and capacitor. Clampers are designed to clamp an
alternating input signal to a specific dc level. To start the analysis of clamper circuits, the
connection is always being considered as in forward biased.

3.3 Zener Diode

A Zener Diode is a special kind of diode which permits current to flow in the forward direction as
normal, but will also allow it to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above a certain
value - the breakdown voltage known as the Zener voltage. Figure 3.4 shows the Zener diode and
the symbol.

Figure 3.4: Zener diode and symbol

 The Zener voltage of a standard diode is high, but if a reverse current above that value is allowed
to pass through it, the diode is permanently damaged. Zener diodes are designed so that their
Zener voltage is much lower - for example just 2.4 Volts. When a reverse current above the Zener
voltage passes through a Zener diode, there is a controlled breakdown which does not damage the
diode. The voltage drop across the Zener diode is equal to the Zener voltage of that diode no
matter how high the reverse bias voltage is above the Zener voltage.

Figure 3.5: I-V characteristic for Zener diode

Figure 3.5 shows the I-V characteristic for the Zener diode. With a Zener diode connected in the
forward direction, it behaves exactly the same as a standard diode - i.e. a small voltage drop of 0.3
to 0.7V with current flowing through pretty much unrestricted. In the reverse direction however
there is a very small leakage current between 0V and the Zener voltage - i.e. just a tiny amount of
current is able to flow. Then, when the voltage reaches the breakdown voltage (Vz), suddenly
current can flow freely through it as shown in Figure 3.6.

Figure 3.6: Current flow by Zener diode

4.0 PROCEDURE

PART 1: BASIC OF DIODE AND ZENER DIODE

Part A : VD and ID of Diode and Zener Diode

1. By referring to Figure 4.1, list down the component and describe the function in Table 1.1.
 1
R1 2
A 1.0k

V1 D
12 V 1N4001 V
3

Figure 4.1: Circuit diagram

2. Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 4.1 and measure the voltage and current. Record the
measurement in Table 1.2.
3. Reverse the diode and repeat step 2. Record the measurement in Table 1.3.
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 using the Zener diode.

Part B : I-V Characteristics of Diode and Zener Diode

1. Construct the circuit shown in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2: Circuit diagram

2. Set the power supply to 0V. Measure the voltage (VD) and current (ID) values across diode with
the power supply shown in Table 1.4 and complete the table. Start with positive value of power
supply voltage followed by negative value of voltage.
3. Plot the voltage, VD (horizontal axis) vs. the current, ID (vertical axis) from the resistor and
diode data table.
4. Repeat step 1 until step 3 using Zener diode and record the data in Table 1.5.

PART 2: CLIPPERS & CLAMPERS

Part A: Parallel Clipper

1. Construct the clipping network circuit as shown in Figure 4.3.

2. Apply an 8 Vp-p sinusoidal-wave at a frequency of 1 kHz to the input, V1.
3. Observe the output voltage, Vo, using dual channel oscilloscope and sketch the waveform.
4. Reverse the DC supply connection in Figure 4.3 and sketch the waveform.
 V1
R = 2.2k V2

-4/4V +
Si

1000 Hz
Vo
E=1.5V

Figure 4.3: Circuit diagram for parallel clipper

5. Show calculation of Vo for both positive and negative cycle in Table 1.6 and compare with Vo
from oscilloscope.

Part B: Series Clipper

Si
V1 + V2

E=1.5V
-4/4V +

1000 Hz
R=1k Vo

Figure 4.4: Circuit diagram for series clipper

1. Construct the clipping network circuit as shown in Figure 4.4.

2. Apply an 8 Vp-p sinusoidal-wave at a frequency of 1 kHz to the input, V1.
3. Observe the output voltage, Vo, using dual channel oscilloscope and sketch the waveform.
4. Reverse the DC supply connection in Figure 4.4 and sketch the waveform.
5. Show calculation of Vo for both positive and negative cycle in Table 1.7 and compare with Vo
from oscilloscope.

Part C: Clamping Circuit

1. Construct the clamping network circuit as shown in Figure 4.5.

2. Apply an 8 Vp-p sinusoidal-wave at a frequency of 1 kHz to the input, V1.
3. Observe the output voltage, Vo, using dual channel oscilloscope and sketch the waveform.
4. Reverse the DC supply connection in Figure 4.5 and sketch the waveform.
5. Show calculation of Vo for both positive and negative cycle in Table 1.8 and compare with Vo
from oscilloscope.
 V1 0.1uF V2

-4/4V +

Si
1000 Hz
100k Vo

Figure 4.5: Circuit diagram for clamper

5.0 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

PART 1: BASIC OF DIODE AND ZENER DIODE

Part A : Diode and Zener Diode Characteristics

Table 1.1: Components and functions

Symbol Component name Function

V1
12 V DC Supply Electrical device that supplies electric power to an
electrical load

A Ammeter Measure current in circuit

R1
Resistor Used to reduce current flow
1.0k
D
Diode Allow current to flow in one direction except zener diode
1N4001

V Voltmeter Measure voltage in a circuit

Table 1.2
Measurement value Diode Zener Diode
Voltage (VD) 0.7V 0.85V
Ammeter 11.5mA 11mA

Table 1.3
Measurement value Diode Zener Diode
Voltage (VD) 12V 5V
Ammeter (ID) 0mA 7.5mA
 Part B : I-V Characteristics of Diode and Zener Diode

Table 1.4
Vpo - - - - - - - - - - -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
wer 1 1 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
supply 2 1 0
(V)
VD 1 1 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0.55 0.6 0.62 0.65 0.67 0.67 0.68 0.69 0.7 0.72 0.72 0.73
(V) 2 1 0
ID 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 1.45 2.55 3.45 4.6 5 6 7.5 8.5 9.5 10 11.
(m 5
A)

Current(mA)
12

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
-2
 Table 1.5
Vpo - - - -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 - 3 - -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12
wer 1 1 1 2 0
suppl y 2 1 0
(V)
VD 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4. 4 3 2 1. 0 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
(V) 8 3
ID 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0 0 0 0 0.25 1.25 2.2 3.5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
(m 8 8 8 8 3 2 15 1 0
A) 5

Current
12

10

0
5 5 5 5 5 5 4.8 4 3 2 1.3 0 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
-2
 PART 2: CLAMPERS & CLIPPERS

Part A: Parallel Clipper

Table 1.6
DC supply Negative cycle Positive cycle
Before reverse -2.56V 3.72V

After reverse -2.04V 960mV

Before reverse

After reverse
 Part B: Series Clipper
Table 1.7
DC supply Negative cycle Positive cycle
Before reverse -290mV 1.17V

After reverse -1.72V 3.16V

Before reverse

After reverse
 Part C: Clamping Circuit

Table 1.8
Diode Negative cycle Positive cycle
Before reverse -7.3V 600mV

After reverse -400mV 7.4V

Before reverse

After reverse
6.0 QUESTIONS

1. From the diode symbol and diode physical, which lead represent anode and cathode?

The arrowhead pointing in the direction of typical current flow notes the diode's cathode lead while
the other is anode. As for the actual diode, the cathode can be seen on the diode itself indicated on
the when side.

2. Base on your measurement in part A, which one is forward and reverse bias. Explain.

The measurement of the first circuit is the forward biased whilst the reverse biased is the second.
The one with forward biased is the one that has current flows, while the reverse biased is the one
that has no current flows.

3. What is 0.7V referring to?

Breakdown voltage.

4. What are the differences between diode and Zener diode?

Silicon diode allows current flows in one direction while zener diode allows current flows in both direction.

7.0 CONCLUSION

As conclusion, we as student able to measure the forward and reversed-biased current

and voltage characteristics for the PN junction diode and able to compare the I – V characteristics
of a diode and Zener diode. Also, we are able explain and design the phenomenon of clipping and
clamping using silicon diode