ED Lab Experiment Manual 4

American International University- Bangladesh

Faculty of Engineering (FE)
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)
EEE 2104: Electronic Devices Lab
Title of the Experiment: Study of Study of Zener Diode.

Objectives:
The objectives of this experiment are to
1. Study the Zener diode’s I-V characteristics.
2. Study Zener diode-based voltage regulator circuits at different conditions.

Theory:
A Zener diode is a diode that allows current to flow in the forward direction in the same manner as an ideal diode
but also permits it to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above a certain value known as the
breakdown voltage, Zener knee voltage, Zener voltage, avalanche point, or peak inverse voltage. If the voltage is
increased beyond this certain value, there is a sudden rapid rise in current causing the destruction of the device.
The basic function of the Zener diode is to maintain a specific voltage across its terminals within given limits of
line or load voltage. Usually, it is used to provide a stable reference voltage for power supplies and other
equipment. Figure 1 shows a Zener diode-based circuit that maintains a 10 V reference voltage. When a reverse
voltage equal to the Zener voltage is applied, the reverse current is limited only by the small value of Zener
resistance and the circuit series resistance, R.

Figure 1: Zener diode circuit that maintains a 10 V across the load.

A Zener diode is much like a normal diode, the exception is that it is placed in the circuit in reverse bias mode
and operates in reverse breakdown. The typical characteristic curve in Fig. 2 illustrates the operating range (ash
color region) for a Zener diode. Note that its forward characteristics are just like a normal diode as in Fig. 2.

Figure 2: The normal operating region of a Zener diode is shaded.

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The doping process determines the Zener diode’s breakdown characteristics. One of the most important features
of the characteristic curve in the reverse direction is called the Zener voltage (Vz), which is the voltage at which
avalanche or Zener breakdown occurs. This region is shown in Fig. 3.
There are two types of Zener diodes based on the breakdown voltage ranges, such as
1. Low voltage Zener diodes
2. High voltage Zener diodes.
Low voltage Zener diodes have operating Zener breakdown less than 5 V. Those designed to operate more than
5 V, operate mostly in avalanche breakdown range, are known as high voltage Zener diodes. Zener diodes are
available with breakdown voltage ranges from 1.8 V to 200 V.
At a particular Zener voltage, there is a minimum and maximum current called the Zener knee or minimum (IZK)
and maximum (IZM) currents. The minimum Zener current (IZK) is necessary to cause the Zener diode to avalanche,
that is, to work in the Zener mode. The maximum Zener current (IZM) is necessary to limit the power dissipation
in the Zener diode in the Zener mode. This is illustrated in Fig. 3.
The resistance of the Zener diode in the breakdown region is called the dynamic resistance that can be obtained
by finding the slope of the line in the breakdown region (i.e., in the third quadrant). For most applications, it is
desirable that dynamic resistance (Rz) should have as low a value as possible. The small value of Rz is reflected
in the steep slope of the Zener characteristics in the reverse direction and this is the reason why the Zener diode
finds so many applications as a voltage reference regulator circuit, in voltage surge protection, and in waveform
shaping circuits.

Figure 3: The minimum and maximum ranges of operating current for a Zener to maintain its voltage effectively.

A Zener diode can be operated in both forward and reverse-biased modes. In forward-biased mode, the anode of
the Zener is connected to the positive terminal of the battery, and the cathode of the Zener is connected to the
negative terminal of the battery. Then it will act as a normal diode. In reverse-biased mode, the anode of the Zener
is connected to the negative terminal of the battery, and the cathode of the Zener is connected to the positive
terminal of the battery as shown in Fig. 4 (a). In the latter mode, the Zener diode can act as a voltage regulator.
A voltage regulator is designed to keep the output voltage of a circuit at a constant value, independent of the input
voltage and independent of the load current. A Zener diode connected in parallel to the load is the simplest form
of such a voltage regulator circuit shown in Fig. 4 (b). If the voltage across the load tries to rise, then the Zener
diode takes more current. The increase in current through the resistor causes an increase in voltage drop across
the resistor and causes the voltage across the load to remain at its correct value. Similarly, if the voltage across
the load tries to fall, then the Zener diode takes less current. The current through the resistor and the voltage across
the resistor both fall. The voltage across the load remains at its correct value.

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 ED Lab Experiment Manual 4

(a) (b)
Figure 4: Zener diode-based circuit diagram: (a) Characteristics study; (b) Voltage regulator study.

Pre-Lab Homework:
Students will be provided with the upcoming lab manuals, and they will be asked to prepare the theoretical
(operations/working principle) information on the topic from the textbook.
Besides, they must implement the circuit (as given in Figures 5-6) using a MultiSIM simulator. Observe the input-
output wave shapes and take the snapshots using the snipping tool. Measure the values of different key parameters
and fill up the tables (Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4) based on the simulation results.

Apparatus:
SL# Apparatus Quantity
1 Zener Diode 1
2 Resistance (100  220  0 ) 1 each
3 Potentiometer (0-20 k, 0-1 k) 1 each
4 Project Board 1
5 Function Generator 1
6 Oscilloscope 1
7 DC milliammeter (0-500 mA) 1
8 Multimeter 1
9 Connecting Leads 10

Precaution!
The following is a list of some of the special safety precautions that should be taken into consideration when
working with diodes:
1. Never remove or insert a diode into a circuit with voltage applied.
2. Ensure a replacement diode into a circuit is in the correct direction.
3. Make sure the correct connection of the transformer.
4. When testing a diode, ensure that the test voltage does not exceed the diode’s-
a. Maximum allowable voltage.
b. Ensure a replacement diode into a circuit is in the correct direction.

Experimental Procedures:
(A) Study of Zener diode characteristics:
1. Measure the actual value of the 470  resistor.
2. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 5 (a).
3. Connect the multimeter (voltmeter mode) and milliammeter to measure the line (VR) and diode voltages (VD).
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4. Turn on the DC power supply with the voltage control nob at 0 V.

5. Rotate the voltage control nob from 0 to +15 V gradually with a step of 0.1 V to 1 V and then 1 V to 15 V as
shown in Table 1 (a).
6. Measure the voltage across the two terminals of the supply voltage, diode, and resistor for all cases.
7. Turn off the DC power supply.
8. Calculate the diode current (Id) and fill up Table 1 (a).
9. Now, connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 5 (b).
10. Repeat steps 3-8 but fill up Table 1 (b).
11. Record the images of the circuit diagram.
12. Plot the Id -VD and IZ -VZ characteristic curves for the Zener diode in the forward and reverse-biased modes.
13. Determine the knee voltage and static and dynamic resistance of the Zener diode from the forward curve.

(a) (b)
Figure 5: Circuit diagram for the determination of Zener diode’s (a) forward and (b) reverse characteristics

Table 1 (a) Data for the Id – VD Curve

Source Voltage, Es (V) Diode Voltage, VD (V) Resistor Voltage, VR (V) Diode Current, Id (mA)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
2.0
3.0

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Source Voltage, Es (V) Diode Voltage, VD (V) Resistor Voltage, VR (V) Diode Current, Id (mA)
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
12.0
15.0

Table 1 (b) Data for the IZ – VZ Curve [Put minus sign (–) before VZ and IZ]

Source Voltage, Es (V) Diode Voltage, VZ (V) Resistor Voltage, VR (V) Diode Current, IZ (mA)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
12.0
15.0

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(B) Study of Zener diode voltage regulation characteristics against the source voltage variation:
1. Measure the actual value of the potentiometers.
2. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 6.
3. Connect the multimeter (voltmeter mode) and milliammeter.
4. Turn on the DC power supply with the voltage control nob at 0 V.
5. Set line resistance, R = 470  and load resistance, RL = 10 k.
6. Rotate the voltage control nob from 0 V to +15 V gradually with a step of 1 V as shown in Table 2.
7. For each step, measure line voltage, VR, load voltage, VL, line current, I, Zener current, IZ, and load current IL.
8. Record all the data in Table 2.
9. Record the images of the circuit diagram during data collection.
10. Turn off the DC power supply.

Figure 6: Circuit diagram for the determination of Zener diode’s voltage regulation characteristics

Table 2 Data for the voltage regulation curve against the source voltage variation
Source Voltage, Line Voltage, Load Voltage, Line Current, Zener Current, Load Current,
Es (V) VR (V) VL (V) I (mA) IZ (mA) IL (mA)
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
12.0
15.0

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(C) Study of Zener diode voltage regulation characteristics against the load resistance variation:
1. Measure the actual value of the potentiometers.
2. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 6.
3. Connect the multimeter (voltmeter mode) and milliammeter.
4. Turn on the DC power supply with the voltage control nob at +15 V.
5. Set line resistance, R = 100  and load resistance, RL = 1 k using the 50 k potentiometer.
6. Rotate the resistance control nob from 1 k to 20 k gradually with a step of 1 k as shown in Table 3.
7. For each step, measure line voltage, VR, load voltage, VL, line current, I, Zener current, IZ, and load current IL.
8. Record all the data in Table 3.
9. Record the images of the circuit diagram during data collection.
10. Turn off the DC power supply.

Table 3 Data for the voltage regulation curve against the load resistance variation
Load Resistance, Line Voltage, Load Voltage, Line Current, Zener Current, Load Current,
RL (k) VR (V) VL (V) I (mA) IZ (mA) IL (mA)
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
18.0
20.0

(D) Study of Zener diode voltage regulation characteristics against the line resistance variation:
1. Measure the actual value of the potentiometers.
2. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 6.
3. Connect the multimeter (voltmeter mode) and milliammeter.
4. Turn on the DC power supply with the voltage control nob at +15 V.
5. Set load resistance, RL = 10 k and line resistance, R = 470  using the 1 k potentiometer.
6. Rotate the resistance control nob from 0  to 1 k gradually with a step of 100  as shown in Table 4.
7. For each step, measure line voltage, VR, load voltage, VL, line current, I, Zener current, IZ, and load current IL.
8. Record all the data in Table 4.
9. Record the images of the circuit diagram during data collection.
10. Turn off the DC power supply.

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Table 4 Data for the voltage regulation curve against the line resistance variation
Line Resistance, Line Voltage, Load Voltage, Line Current, Zener Current, Load Current,
R () VR (V) VL (V) I (mA) IZ (mA) IL (mA)
0.0
100.0
200.0
300.0
400.0
500.0
600.0
700.0
800.0
900.0
1000.0

Questions:
1. Show the differences between simulated and measured values. Comment on the results and interpret the
experimental and simulation data.
2. Determine the breakdown voltage (VZ) and Zener resistance (RZ) from the plot.
3. What are the marked differences between the characteristic curves between the Zener Diode and that of
an ordinary P-N junction Diode?
4. Determine whether a Silicon or a Germanium diode was used in this experiment. Justify your answer.
5. What are the effects of varying the source voltage, line, and load resistances on the line voltage, load
voltage, line current, Zener current, and load current? From the data of Tables 2-4, plot the following
curves and then explain the voltage regulation impacts:
a) VL vs. IL [Tables 2-4]
b) VL vs. Es [Table 2]
c) VL vs. IZ [Tables 2-4]
d) VL vs. RL [Table 3]
𝑉 −𝑉
e) Voltage regulation vs. RL [Voltage regulation, 𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑔 = 𝑁𝐿𝑉 𝐹𝐿 × 100%; typical values of Zener rating
𝐹𝐿
(as shown in the Table of Appendix A) should be used as the no-load voltage (𝑉𝑁𝐿 ) and the voltage across
any load resistance (𝑅𝐿 ) is the full load volage (𝑉𝐹𝐿 )]
f) VL vs. R
6. Assume that the Zener diode rating is 5 V, 100 mA. Then for the circuit under experiment, what will be
the maximum input voltage?
7. Give your own suggestions regarding this experiment.
8. Discuss the overall aspects of the experiment. Did your results match the expected ones? If not, explain.

References:
[1] Robert L. Boylestad, Louis Nashelsky, Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 9th Edition, 2007-2008
[2] Adel S. Sedra, Kenneth C. Smith, Microelectronic Circuits, Saunders College Publishing, 3rd ed., ISBN: 0-03-
051648-X, 1991.
[3] American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) Electronic Devices Lab Manual.
[4] David J. Comer, Donald T. Comer, Fundamentals of Electronic Circuit Design, John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.,
ISBN: 0471410160, 2002.
[5] Resistor values: https://www.eleccircuit.com/how-to-basic-use-resistor/, accessed on 20 September 2023.

List the references that you have used to answer the “Discussion” section.

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Appendix A:
The Zener or the reverse breakdown voltage ranges from 2.4 V to 200 V, sometimes it can go up to 1 kV while the maximum for the
surface-mounted device is 47 V. The standard Zener diode values for the commonly available BZXC family of diodes are shown below in
the table. They usually engineer the reverse conduction voltage to occur at popular values. The table below shows a typical range of reverse
conduction voltages, Vz, and their associated reverse currents, Iz.

Vz (V) Iz (mA)
2.7 360
3.0 330
3.3 300
3.9 280
4.3 250
4.7 215
5.1 200
5.6 190
6.2 170
6.8 155
7.5 140
8.2 130
9.1 120
10 105
12 88
15 71
22 52

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