King Abdulaziz University

Faculty of Engineering

Electronics I

DC power supply

16

Dr. MD Shafiq Islam

Table of contents:
Content
Introduction
Planning design strategy
Background
Problem definition
Constrain
Objectives
Tools
Generating Solutions
Solution selection
Input / output Specifications
Formulas and Calculations
Simulation
Cost estimate
Safety in Lab
Team norms
Distribution
Comment
Conclusion
References

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Introduction

16

Due to the empirical nature of electronics theory, laboratory

experimentation is an important part of the study of electronics.
These experiments are used to prove, verify, and reinforce laws and
theorems such as Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws. Here in EE311
project, we will design a circuit as an application for what we have

studied about diodes. The circuit was center-tapped full-wave

rectifier with output voltage of 5V.

Planning design strategy :

the following gant chart describes project steps procedure and
time to do each task as shown in figure 1.

Figure.1: Gant Chart

Background
The Zener diode is like a general-purpose signal diode
consisting of a silicon PN junction. When biased in the forward
direction it behaves just like a normal signal diode passing the rated
current, but as soon as a reverse voltage applied across the zener
diode exceeds the rated voltage of the device, the diodes
breakdown voltage VB is reached at which point a process called
Avalanche Breakdown occurs in the semiconductor depletion layer
and a current starts to flow through the diode to limit this increase
in voltage.
The current now flowing through the zener diode increases
dramatically to the maximum circuit value (which is usually limited
by a series resistor) and once achieved this reverse saturation
current remains fairly constant over a wide range of applied
voltages. This breakdown voltage point, V B is called the "zener
voltage" for zener diodes and can range from less than one volt to
hundreds of volts.

16

The point at which the zener voltage triggers the current to flow
through the diode can be very accurately controlled (to less than 1%

tolerance) in the doping stage of the diodes semiconductor

construction giving the diode a specific zener breakdown voltage,
( Vz ) for example, 4.3V or 7.5V. This zener breakdown voltage on
the I-V curve is almost a vertical straight line.
Zener Diode I-V Characteristics

Figure 2: Zener Diode I-V Characteristics

The Zener Diode is used in its "reverse bias" or reverse breakdown

mode, i.e. the diodes anode connects to the negative supply. From
the I-V characteristics curve above, we can see that the zener diode
has a region in its reverse bias characteristics of almost a constant
negative voltage regardless of the value of the current flowing
through the diode and remains nearly constant even with large
changes in current as long as the zener diodes current remains
between the breakdown current I Z(min) and the maximum current
rating IZ(max).

16

This ability to control itself can be used to great effect to regulate or

stabilize a voltage source against supply or load variations. The fact
that the voltage across the diode in the breakdown region is almost
constant turns out to be an important application of the zener diode
as a voltage regulator. The function of a regulator is to provide a
constant output voltage to a load connected in parallel with it in
spite of the ripples in the supply voltage or the variation in the load
current and the zener diode will continue to regulate the voltage

until the diodes current falls below the minimum I Z(min) value in the
reverse breakdown region.
The Zener Diode Regulator
Zener Diodes can be used to produce a stabilized voltage output
with low ripple under varying load current conditions. By passing a
small current through the diode from a voltage source, via a suitable
current limiting resistor (RS), the zener diode will conduct sufficient
current to maintain a voltage drop of Vout. We remember from the
previous tutorials that the DC output voltage from the half or fullwave rectifiers contains ripple superimposed onto the DC voltage
and that as the load value changes so to does the average output
voltage. By connecting a simple zener stabilizer circuit as shown
below across the output of the rectifier, a more stable output
voltage can be produced.
Zener Diode Regulator

Figure 3: Zener Diode Regulator

The resistor, RS is connected in series with the zener diode to limit

the current flow through the diode with the voltage source, V S being
connected across the combination. The stabilized output voltage V out
is taken from across the zener diode. The zener diode is connected
with its cathode terminal connected to the positive rail of the DC
supply so it is reverse biased and will be operating in its breakdown
condition. Resistor RS is selected so to limit the maximum current
flowing in the circuit.

16

With no load connected to the circuit, the load current will be zero,
( IL = 0 ), and all the circuit current passes through the zener diode

which in turn dissipates its maximum power. Also a small value of

the series resistor RS will result in a greater diode current when the
load resistance RL is connected and large as this will increase the
power dissipation requirement of the diode so care must be taken
when selecting the appropriate value of series resistance so that the
zeners maximum power rating is not exceeded under this no-load or
high-impedance condition.
The load is connected in parallel with the zener diode, so the
voltage across RL is always the same as the zener voltage, ( V R =
VZ ). There is a minimum zener current for which the stabilization of
the voltage is effective and the zener current must stay above this
value operating under load within its breakdown region at all times.
The upper limit of current is of course dependent upon the power
rating of the device. The supply voltage VS must be greater than VZ.
One small problem with zener diode stabilizer circuits is that the
diode can sometimes generate electrical noise on top of the DC
supply as it tries to stabilize the voltage. Normally this is not a
problem for most applications but the addition of a large value
decoupling capacitor across the zeners output may be required to
give additional smoothing.
Then to summarize a little. A zener diode is always operated in its
reverse biased condition. A voltage regulator circuit can be designed
using a zener diode to maintain a constant DC output voltage across
the load in spite of variations in the input voltage or changes in the
load current. The zener voltage regulator consists of a current
limiting resistor RS connected in series with the input voltage V S with
the zener diode connected in parallel with the load R L in this reverse
biased condition. The stabilized output voltage is always selected to
be the same as the breakdown voltage VZ of the diode.

Problem Definition
In our daily life we face some problems in devices which need
less voltage. In this project we will create a solution to solve this
problem so, we are going to convert the voltage from110 to 5 volts.

Constrain
The output should be 5 V.

16

 Objectives

Design DC Power Supply that has an output of 5V.

Applying what we have studied in the class about diode.

Tools
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Breadboard.
Transformer.
Resistors.
Capacitor.
Two Silicon Diodes.
Zener Diode Type 5.1 V (1N4733).
Connection wires.
Multimeter.

Generating Solutions
We will use Duncker Diagram to obtain solutions of the project as
shown figure 2:

ems in devices which need less voltage. In this project we will create a solution to solve this problem so, we a

problem

sign a DC power supply which will take AC voltage from the supply (220 V or 110 V AC) as input and produce

General solution

Design
DCvoltage
power supply
which
take of
AC5V
voltage
produce
a DCfull
voltage
gn a DC power supply which will
takeaAC
produce
a DCwill
voltage
as output
by using
wave.of 5

Functional solution

16

Specific

Bridge Rectifier
Zener diode with 5.1 V
solutionCapacitor
Resistors
Normal Step down Transformer

Two Silicon Diodes

Zener diode with 5.1 V
Capacitor
Resistors
Normal Step down Transformer

16

figure 2 : Duncker Diagram

 solution Selection
now, we will using KT Decision technique to selected one of alternatives solution as shown figure 3.

Decision Analysis

Alternative

Must

1. Design a DC power supply which will take AC voltage

produce a DC voltage of 5V as output

Wants
1. Wight Less than 5 Kg.
2. Not Damage with time.
3. Portable.
4. The implementation not cost.
Total A=220
Total B=260

Weight
8
6
9
10

(A) Bridge Rectifier

Zener diode with
5.1 V
Capacitor
Resistors
Normal Step down
Transformer

GO / NO GO

Rating
7
7
8
5

(B) Two Silicon

Diodes
Zener diode with 5.1
V
Capacitor
Resistors
Normal Step down
Transformer

GO / NO GO

Score
56
42
72
50

Rating
7
7
8
9

Score
56
42
72
90

figure 3: KT Decision

So after using KT Decision Analysis the number of artifacts remaining is

one solution, which have the highest score to use it:

Alternative (B):

Two Silicon Diodes.

Zener diode with 5.1 V.
Capacitor.
Resistors.
Normal Step down Transformer.

Input/output specifications
Black box is a graphic representation of the system or object being
designed with input shown entering the box in the left side and output
leaving in the right side. This process can help us to identify the
function as shown in figure 4.

AC voltage (220 V or 110 V AC)

Device

figure 4: Black Box

Formulas and calculations

Used formulas
1)

Vz=Vzo+ ( iz ) (rz)

2)

Vc ( max ) =VsVDo

3)

Vc ( min )=Vc ( max )Vr

DC voltage of 5V

4)

R=

Vc ( min ) (Vzo+ rz iz ( min ) )

iz ( min ) +iL(max)

5)

R=

Vc ( max )(Vzo+ rz iz ( max ))

iz ( max ) +iL( min)

6)

Vr ( pp )=

7)

1
Vc ( average )=Vo Vr
2

8)

I=

9)

PR=( iz ( max )+ il ( min ) ) (Vc ( max )Vzorz Iz (max))

I
2 fC

Vc ( average )Vz
R

Calculations
V o=5 v
Zener diode IN4733A. Its characteristics:
V z =5 v , I z=45 mA , I zk =1mA , r z=7
Transformer [909] => V s=9 2=12.73
Assume
I Lmax =

V r =1 v I Lmin=oA I zmin =3 mA

5
=2.5 mA
2000

V zo =4.76 v
V cmax =V s V D 0=12.730.7=12.03 v

V cmin=V cmax V r=12.731=11.03 v

V cavg =

R=

I=

V cmax +V cmin 12.7311.03

=
=11.53 v
2
2

11.034.76(7 4 m)
=960.4
(4 m+1.5 m)

V cavgV z 11.535
=
=6.69 mA
R
960.3

C=

6.69 mA
=55.8 F
120

I zmax=

V cmax V z 0 11.034.76
=
=7.5 mA
R+ r z
960.3+7

Pz
=196 m
Vz

It is clear thatIZ(max) has less than

Pz
Vz

.So, it is satisfied the condition.

PR =( 7.5 m+ 0 ) ( 12.034.76 (7 7.5 m )) =54.2 mW

Used parts
1) Center tap transformer which give output of 12V (rms) and
current of 500 mA.
2) According to the calculations, the value of R is 961.
3) According to the calculations, the value of C is 55.8F we did not
find the exact value in the market. So we choose the closest
value which is 56F.
4) Two silicon diodes Type D1N4148with drop voltage for each is
0.7V.

5) Zener diode Type 1N4733 has output voltage equal to 5.1V.

6) Breadboard to construct the circuit on it.

Simulated circuit
In this figure 5 shown the circuit simulation in software
R1

R2

90061

c
56F

R3
2000

Figure 5: simulated circuit

Connection
In this figure 6 shown as connected the component in breadboard.

Figure 6: connection circuit.

Output voltage
In this figure 7 shows as the output in multimeter equal 5 V.

Figure 7: output voltage.

Cost estimate

No.
1
2
3
5
6
7

Part
Bread Board
Transformer(9.0.9)
Three Resistors
Two Silicon Diodes
Zener diode1N4733
Capacitor 56 f

Price
25 S.R
7 S.R
2 S.R
1 S.R
1 S.R
2 S.R

Safety in Electronic and Electrical Lab

Turn off power and unplug from the wall before working on electric
or electronic circuits, except when absolutely necessary.

Do not use extension cords as a permanent power source. It is

against Ann Arbor Fire Code and will result in fines if these are
found by an inspector. The College of Engineering will be providing
some funding, to replace some cording with permanent conduit and
wiring.

Do not work on electrical equipment in a wet area or when touching

an object that may provide a hazardous earth ground path.

Turn off power and unplug equipment before checking or replacing

fuses. Locate and correct the cause of a blown fuse or tripped
circuit breaker before replacing the fuse or resetting the circuit
breaker.

Replace defective cords and plugs. Inspect cabling for defects such
as frayed wiring, loose connections, or cracked insulation.

 Remove metal jewelry, watches, rings, etc., before working on

electrical circuits.

Always check the electrical ratings of equipment you use and be

sure you use that equipment within its ratings.

Never overload circuits.

Never leave unprotected systems unattended.

Never place containers of liquid on electrical systems.

Never defeat the purpose of a fuse or circuit breaker. Never install a

fuse of higher amperage rating than that specifically listed for your
circuit.

Make sure equipment chassis or cabinets are grounded. Never cut

off or defeat the ground connection on a plug.

Safely discharge capacitors in equipment before working on the

circuits.

 Team Norms
.You must attend the meetings -1
2- Managing the time when we are in the meeting.
.You have to be self-regulated -3
4- You must work with your team not individually.
You have to help your teammates when they ask you to help -5
.them
6- You have to accept the views of the others, don't be nervous.
7- Never discuss life issues during meeting time.
.You must keep in touch with others -8
9- You must be committed to your work .
10- Organize your work.

Distributions
We will use deployment chart that will show each member tasks as
shown in
figure 8:

Faisel

Mohann
ad

Yahya

Abdulrhm

Member

an

Task
Search for the
parts of the
project and set
the prices
Buy all parts of
the project
Ask for help from
Experts
Develop
alternative
solutions
Make sure that all
the parts working
before deadline
Test the efficiency
of the project
Finish the
paperwork work
and presentation
for the celebration
assignment

figure 8: deployment chart

Comments
1) Center-tapped transformer with two diodes can form a full-

wave rectifier that allows both half-cycles of the AC waveform

2) Zener diode is a diode which allows current to flow in the
forward direction in the same manner as an ideal diode, but
will also permit it to flow in the reverse direction when the
voltage is above a certain value known as the breakdown
voltage, "zener knee voltage"
3) Silicon diode used to allow an electric current to pass in one
direction (called the diode's forward direction), while blocking
current in the opposite direction (the reverse direction).
4) Breadboard make it easy to use for construct the circuit and
experimenting it.
5) Capacitor used to smooth the AC wave to a line wave DC.

Conclusion
Accomplishing this project has developed many concepts that we
took in lectures about the electrical components. Also, we face
some difficulties such that confecting all the components on the
breadboard because we get used to connect the electrical
components on specified board in the laboratory. At the end of
this project we gain the knowledge about an important
application of rectifier which it is convert from AC to DC.

References

http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/atl-safety/id31.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectifier