Power Electronics

Lab6: Page 1 of 3
Roll No. __________________
Group No. ___________________

Experiment No. 6
A Simple Series Voltage Regulator
Equipment:
DC power supply, resistor R1 of designed value, transistor (D313), ZENER diode
(1N52312B), load resistors of values listed in the observation sets, multi-meter,
connecting wires and breadboard.
Circuit Diagram:

Figure 1
Design Procedure:
The design specifications for a voltage regulator include the desired DC output
voltage, the maximum load current that is allowed to flow and the range of input voltage
variation.
Use the following values to design the regulator.
Maximum load current = IL(max)=1A
Output voltage = Vout= 4V
Range of input voltage = 7V to 14V
Follow the following procedure:
1. Select a transistor Q1 such that it can handle the max. load current IL(max). We
have D313 in lab which is able to handle IL(max). You can verify it from datasheet.

Power Electronics

Lab6: Page 2 of 3
Roll No. __________________
Group No. ___________________

2. Select a ZENER diode such that it can provide specified output voltage Vout. The
zener voltage VZ is selected using the equation:
V =V
+V
out
Z
BE

where VBE = 0.7V.

3. The value of resistor R1 can be designed by using the equation:

R1 =

V
R1(min)

V
V
in(min)
Z(max)

R1

R1

where IR1 is the current through R1 when the maximum load current IL(max) flows.
IR1 is given by:
I

R1

=I

B(max)

+I

Zt

where IB(max) is the maximum base current that is made to flow through transistor
Q1 and is given by:
I
I

B(max)

E(max)

min

I
=

L(max)

min

where IE(max) is the maximum emitter current that is made to flow through Q1 and
is equal to the maximum load current IL(max). Appropriate value of is 100
The current IR1 must be enough to allow current Izt to follow through the ZENER
diode such that:

This will ensure that the ZENER diode operates in a safe reverse break down
region providing a constant zener voltage at its terminals. Here Izk is the reverse
knee current of the ZENER diode and IZ(max) is its maximum reverse current. Izk
can be noted from the datasheet and IZ(max) is given by:

Z(max)

P
D

= _____________________.

V
Z(max)

where PD is the power rating of ZENER diode mentioned in datasheet. This

completes the design procedure.
Best value for Izt is given in datasheet.
Izt = ________________.

Power Electronics

Lab6: Page 3 of 3
Roll No. __________________
Group No. ___________________

OBSERVATIONS and CALCULATIONS

Observation Set No. 1:
Vin = 10V
RL ()
2k
1k
100
50
25
10

Vout(Volts)

IL = Vout RL

Observation Set No. 2:

RL = 2k
Vin(Volts)
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Vout

Instructions for Plotting the Graphs:

Take a graph paper and draw a Vout vs IL curve using the data collected for the
observation set 1. On another graph paper, plot a Vout vs Vin curve using the data collected
for the observation set 2.
Comments: