_________________________________________________________________________

To plot V-I curve of Zener diode and

TITLE :
use it as Zener limiter.

DATE OF
: 07th Oct, 2019
EXPERIMENT

Lab Number : 04

NAME : ___________________

ROLL NO : ___________________

Mechanical Electronics Lab Page 1

_________________________________________________________________________

Objective:
• To observe and plot the V-I characteristics of Zener diode in forward and reverse
bias region.
• To build and analyze the Zener limiter circuit.
Equipment:
• Resistor (1K)
• Zener diode
• Multimeter
• Oscilloscope
• Function generator
• Connecting wires
Theory:
A Zener diode is a silicon semiconductor device that permits current to flow in either a
forward or reverse direction. The diode consists of a special, heavily doped p-n junction,
designed to conduct in the reverse direction when a certain specified voltage is reached.
The Zener diode has a well-defined reverse-breakdown voltage, at which it starts
conducting current, and continues operating continuously in the reverse-bias mode without
getting damaged. Additionally, the voltage drop across the diode remains constant over a
wide range of voltages, a feature that makes Zener diodes suitable for use in voltage
regulation, Zener limiter etc.

Forward biased Zener diode Reverse biased

Mechanical Electronics Lab Page 2

_________________________________________________________________________

Operation:
The Zener diode operates just like the normal diode when in the forward-bias mode, and
has a turn-on voltage of between 0.3 and 0.7 V. However, when connected in the reverse
mode, which is usual in most of its applications, a small leakage current may flow. As the
reverse voltage increases to the predetermined breakdown voltage (Vz), a current start
flowing through the diode. The current increases to a maximum, which is determined by
the series resistor, after which it stabilizes and remains constant over a wide range of
applied voltage.
There are two types of reverse breakdown regions in a Zener diode: avalanche breakdown
and Zener breakdown. The avalanche breakdown occurs in both normal diodes and Zener
diodes at high reverse voltage. While, Zener breakdown occur in Zener diodes at low
reverse voltage.
Task 1:(a)
1. Connect the circuit in forward biased direction.
2. Change the supply voltage from 0Vdc to 1.5 Vdc with a step of 0.1 V.
3. Observe the value of diode voltage drop and current passing through it using
multimeter in tabular form.
4. Make graph using these values to show the V-I characteristics curve of diode in
Forward bias region.
(b)
1. Connect the circuit in Reversed biased direction.
2. Change the supply voltage from 0Vdc to 30 Vdc with a step of 2 V.
3. Observe the value of diode voltage drop and current passing through it using
multimeter in tabular form.
4. Make graph using these values to show the V-I characteristics curve of Zener diode
in Reverse bias region.
(c)
• Combine both graphs to make V-I characteristics of Zener diode.

Mechanical Electronics Lab Page 3

_________________________________________________________________________

Task 2: (a) Zener limiter

1. Connect the circuit in forward biased direction.
2. Apply 5V peak sinusoidal signal with frequency of 50 Hz as input.
3. Observe the output waveform and take snap of it.
4. Measure the amplitude of signal in positive and negative half cycle using
oscilloscope.
(b)
1. Connect the circuit in reverse biased direction.
2. Apply 5V peak sinusoidal signal with frequency of 50 Hz as input.
3. Observe the output waveform and take snap of it.
4. Measure the amplitude of signal in positive and negative half cycle using
oscilloscope.
(c) Conclude Task 2 working principle in lab report briefly using circuit diagrams.

Mechanical Electronics Lab Page 4