1

University of Jordan

Electrical Engineering Department

Exp. 4

Zener Diode Characteristics & Voltage Regulator

Objectives
To be familiar with the reverse Zener Diode Characteristic and the application of the
Zener diode as Voltage regulation.

Theory
The Zener diode is a diode which allows current to flow in both directions. The Zener
diode i-v characteristic shown in Figure 1 shows three operating regions: Forward
Bias region, Reverse off region and Breakdown region. The Zener in the Forward
Bias region works the same manner as an ideal diode and permit current to flow
when the voltage across the diode is greater than the cut-in voltage V. In the Reverse
off region, the Zener diode acts as an open circuit and no current flow in the circuit.
In the Breakdown region, the Zener
diode permits the current to flow in the
reverse direction when the voltage is
above a certain value known as the
breakdown voltage (Vzth). The Zener
diode has almost a constant voltage across
it as long as the Zener diode current is
between the knee current IZ(min) and the
maximum current rating IZ(max).
The Zener diode applications are Voltage
Regulator and clipping. The voltage
regulator circuit is required to maintain a
constant dc output voltage across the load
terminals in spite of the variation in the
input main voltage (Vs) or Change in the
load current (IL). Clipper circuit is the
same as the normal diode but you had to
remember that Zener diode work in both
directions.

Figure 1

The Zener voltage regulator circuit shown in Figure 2 consists of a current limiting
resistor RS (to protect the Zener diode from high current at no load condition)
connected in series with the input voltage Vs and Zener diode connected in parallel
with the load RL in reverse biased condition. Zener diode MUST be operated under
load, if not, the Zener diode may burn.
The input source current:
IS = IZ + IL
The drop across the series resistance RS:
VRs = VS Vz
N. A.

.. (1)
... (2)
Exp4

University of Jordan

Electrical Engineering Department

The current flowing through RS:

Is = (Vs VZ) / RS
The voltage across the Zener diode:
Vz = Vzth + (Iz)(rz) = VL

.. (3)
.. (4)

Where (rz) is the internal resistance of the Zener diode when it is reversed biased.
Two Types of voltage regulation can be defined: Source regulation and Load
regulation. Source regulation is defined as the change in the output voltage with
respect to the change of the input voltage while keeping the load resistance RL fixed
(the load current IL will be constant too).
Source Regulation=

VL
x100%
Vs

Since the load is fixed, we can assume it (RL = ), as the input voltage increases, Is
increase according to equation (3) and Zener current Iz will equal to Is. The increase
in Iz will not affect huge variation on VL so the output voltage will remain constant.
Load regulation is defined as the change in load voltage with respect to change in the
load current (by vary the load resistance RL value) while keeping the input voltage
constant. To find the load regulation, we calculate the output voltage in two cases:
removing the load RL (find VNo-load ) and applying load (Vfull-load). To do that we had
to calculate the source current IS using equation 3, then find the load current IL by (IL
= Vz / RL ). Calculate the Zener current Iz then find Vz using equation 4. From
reverse bias characteristics even Iz changes, Vz remains same so the output voltage
remains fairly constant.
Load Regulation=

N. A.

V full Load VNoload

V full Load

x100%

Exp4

University of Jordan

Electrical Engineering Department

Procedure
Equipments & Part List
1- Oscilloscope
3- Two Digital Multimeters (DMM).
5- Project Breadboard.
7- Zener diode 5V.

2- Function Generator (FG) .

4- DC power supply.
6- Resistors of 100, 220, 1K and 10K.
8- Connection Wires and coaxial cables.

PART A- Zener Diode Characteristics

1- Construct the circuit shown in Figure 2 by using Zener diode.
(Make sure the diode is connected with the correct polarity).
2- Set the DC power supply output adjustment potentiometer fully
counter clock wise, then switch it ON.
3- Adjust the voltage source (VS) corresponding to Table 1 in the
sheet answer. Use the DMM to measure Iz and Vz then record
them in Table 1. (Do not exceed the Zener (reverse) current of
20 mA).

Figure 2

4- When finished, set the (VS) to 0.0V. Then switch OFF the DC power supply.
5- Plot the reverse diode current Iz versus the reverse diode voltage Vz and label each
axis with suitable units.
6- From the i-v characteristics you draw, determine the Zener breakdown voltage VZth.
7- Calculate the Zener diode dynamic resistance rZ, using the following equation:

rZ = VD / IZ

( for |VZK| < |VD| < |VZM| )

8- Using the data in Table 1, calculate the percentage Source regulation (S.R.%)
when Vs varies between (7 9 ) volt.

PART-B Zener Diode Voltage Regulator

B-1 Effect of the DC Voltage source on the Zener regulator
1- Construct the circuit shown in Figure 3.
2- Set the DC power supply output fully counter
clock wise. Then switch it ON.
3- Adjust the voltage source (VS) corresponding to
Table 2 in the sheet answer. Use the DMM to
measure the load voltage VL, IS and record it in
Table2. Then Calculate IL , IZ and PZ using the
following equations:
Figure 3

IL = VL / RL , IZ = IS IL

and

PZ = IZ x VZ .

4- When finished, set the (VS) to 0.0V.

N. A.

Exp4

University of Jordan

Electrical Engineering Department

6- Explain what happens to the output voltage VL and why.

7- Calculate the value of the minimum Source voltage (VSmin) in Figure 3 for which
below this value the Zener diode will no longer provide voltage regulation.
(Assume that the minimum Zener diode current IZmin = 1 mA). Compare your
calculated result with that from Table 2.
8- Calculate the value of maximum source voltage (VSmax) in Figure 3, for which the
greater than this value the Zener diode will reach the maximum power dissipation,
(Assume that the maximum Zener diode current IZmax = 25 mA).
9- Calculate the percentage load regulation (L.R %) of your circuit by taking VNo-load
from Table 1 and Vfull-load from Table 2 at Vs > 8 volt, then record it in Table 2.
10- Calculate the minimum value of the series resistor RS-min in Figure 3 at VS = 10V
and RL = 1 K. (Assume that IZ(max) = 25 mA and IZ(min) = 1 mA).

B-2 Effect of the Load Resistance on the Zener regulator

1- Set the DC power source (VS) to 10.0V as shown in
Figure 4.
2- Use the DMM to measure the load voltage VL and
IS and record it in Table 3. Then Calculate IL, IZ
and PZ.
3- Replace the load resistance RL corresponding to
Table 3. Then repeat step 2.
4- When finished, set the (VS) to 0.0V, then switch
OFF the DC power supply and disconnect the
circuit.

Figure 4

5- Calculate the minimum value of the load resistance (RLmin) in Figure 4, for which
below this value the Zener diode will no longer provide voltage regulation. Verify
your calculation experimentally. (Assume IZmin = 1 mA).
6- Explain why the Zener diode stops regulating for certain values of RL.
7- Calculate the value of the minimum series resistor (RS-min ) in Figure 4, at no load
condition (RL = ). (Assume IZ(max) = 25 mA).

B-3 Effect of the AC Voltage Source on the Zener regulator

1- Construct the circuit shown in Figure 5.a.
2- Set the Function Generator output to 15Vp-p, 2kHz sine wave.
3- Use the Oscilloscope to measure and record VS from CH1 and VL from CH2.
Sketch the Oscilloscope screen on the grid shown in the sheet answer.
4- Connect the circuit shown in Figure 5.b and 5.c using two Zener diodes and repeat
step 3.
5- When finished, set the (VS) to 0.0V.

N. A.

Exp4

University of Jordan

Electrical Engineering Department

Figure 5.a

Figure 5.b

N. A.

Figure 5.c

Exp4

University Of Jordan
Faculty of Engineering
Electrical Engineering Department

Electronics Lab Report

0903368
Experiment No.: ______

Student Group: ______

Experiment Name: _______________________________________

Students Name:
1) __________________________________________
2) __________________________________________
3) __________________________________________
4) __________________________________________

N. A.

Exp4

Report of Exp. 4

Zener Diode Characteristics & Voltage Regulator

PART A- Zener Diode Characteristics
Table 1

VS (V)
Iz (mA)
Vz (V)

1.0

2.0

4.0

5.0

5.2

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

8.0

9.0

5- Plot the reverse diode current versus the reverse diode voltage on Figure 3 and
label each axis with suitable units.

Figure 3

6- From the i-v characteristics you draw, determine the Zener breakdown voltage VZth.
.....................................................................
7- Calculate the Zener diode dynamic resistance rZ.
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
8- Using the data in Table 1, calculate the percentage Source regulation (S.R.%)
when Vs varies between (7 9 ) volt.
.....................................................................
.....................................................................

PART-B Zener Diode Voltage Regulator

B-1 Effect of the DC Voltage source on the Zener regulator
Table 2

VS (V)
VL (V)
IS (mA)
IL (mA)
IZ (mA)
PZ (mW)
L.R %
N. A.

1.0

2.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

Exp4

6- Explain what happens to the output voltage VL and why.

.....................................................................
.....................................................................
7- Calculate the value of the minimum Source voltage (VSmin) in Figure 3 for which
below this value the Zener diode will no longer provide voltage regulation.
(Assume that the minimum Zener diode current IZmin = 1 mA). Compare your
calculated result with that from Table 2.
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
8- Calculate the value of maximum source voltage (VSmax) in Figure 3, for which the
greater than this value the Zener diode will reach the maximum power dissipation,
(Assume that the maximum Zener diode current IZmax = 25 mA).
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
10- Calculate the value of the series resistor RS-min in Figure 3, at VS = 10V and
RL = 1 k. ( Assume IZmax = 25 mA, IZmin = 1 mA)
.....................................................................
.....................................................................

B-2 Effect of the Load Resistance on the Zener regulator

Table 3

RL (V)
10K
VL (V)
IS (mA)
IL (mA)
IZ (mA)
PZ (mW)

1K

220

100

5- Calculate the minimum value of the load resistance (RLmin) in Figure 4, for which
below this value the Zener diode will no longer provide voltage regulation. Verify
your calculation experimentally. (Assume IZmin = 1 mA).
.....................................................................
.....................................................................

N. A.

Exp4

6- Explain why the Zener diode stops regulating for certain values of RL.
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
7- Calculate the value of the minimum series resistor (RS-min ) in Figure 4, at no load
condition (RL = ). (Assume IZ(max) = 25 mA).
.....................................................................
.....................................................................

B-3 Effect of the AC Voltage source on the Zener regulator

Figure 5.a

Figure 5.b

Figure 5.c

N. A.

Exp4