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EE221 BASIC ELECTRONICS

LAB 3 : ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

1. OBJECTIVE: To plot forward and reverse characteristics of a Zener Diode.

2. EQUIPMENT: DATS 7000 Breadboard, 6.8-V zener diode, 1-k resistor, 470- resistor.

3. INTRODUCTION

A zener diode (symbol shown above) is a heavily doped diode. In forward bias it operates
normally like the ordinary diode. In reverse bias it conducts only leakage current until the reverse
voltage is large enough to break down the junction. This reverse breakdown occurs at low
voltages is reversible and not destructive to the diode. The breakdown occurs in either of two
ways. The first, called Field-Effect Breakdown, is for the applied reverse voltage may pull the
electrons across the reverse biased pn-junction causing the diode to conduct in reverse bias. The
second way, called Avalanche Breakdown, is for the applied voltage to accelerate electrons
which in turn knock other electrons out of their normal orbits causing rapid conduction of current.
Both these effects occur at relatively low voltages which can be controlled during manufacture.

Zener diodes are available with fixed breakdown voltages of 2.7, 3.3, 3.9, 4.7, 5.1, 5.6, 6.8 V up to
75 V or more breakdown voltages. This series of voltages has values which almost follow
standard E12 values of resistors.

4. PROCEDURE

4.1 Zener Diode in Forward Bias
a) Draw a circuit with the zener diode in forward bias in series with a 1 k resistor across a
15 V variable dc supply. The resistor will be used for measuring current as well as for
limiting the current through the diode.
b) Measure the actual value of your 1 k resistor and build the circuit. Include two voltmeters
for measuring V
D
and V
R
.
c) Starting from supply voltage of 0 V, slowly increase the supply voltage taking V
D
and V
R

readings up to but not exceeding 15 V supply. CalculateI
D
and plot the Forward-Bias
I-V characteristic (V
D
and I
D
) of the diode. Do not exceed 15 V supply.

4.2 Zener Diode in Reverse Bias
a) Draw a circuit with the zener diode in reverse bias in series with a 470 resistor across a
15 V variable dc supply.
b) Measure the actual value of your 470 resistor and build the circuit. Include two
voltmeters for measuring V
D
and V
R
.
c) Starting from supply voltage of 0 V, slowly increase the supply voltage taking V
D
and V
R

readings up to but not exceeding 15 V supply. CalculateI
D
and plot the Reverse-Bias I-V
characteristic (-V
D
and I
D
) of the diode.
d) Plot also the V
D
vs V
S
graph.

5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Explain the graph in 4(d). Examine your results and draw any comparisons or differences in
behaviour between the zener diode and the ordinary rectifier signal diodes and LED used in Lab 2.

LAB REPORT: Your lab report should be written in full so that it is understandable to
anyone who reads it without having seen this Lab sheet.