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PHYSICS LAB PROJECT
GROUP MEMBERS:
[Link]. (22P61A0541)
[Link] kishan. (22P61A0542)
[Link] Raghava. (22P61A0543)
[Link]. (22P61A0544)
[Link] (22P61A0545)
V-I CHARACTERISTICS OF ZENER DIODE
Abstract:
Ordinary diodes are forward biased and work in the forward direction. They have
a large forward current flowing through them with a negligible voltage drop
across them. If we operate an ordinary diode in reverse biased, it conducts
insignificant current until the voltage applied across them exceeds the reverse
breakdown voltage. Once that happens, large current flows through the junction
and the diode may get destroyed. The Zener diode is a particular type of diode that
solves this problem. We operate a Zener diode in reverse biased conditions, and
this diode does not get damaged even when the voltage across this exceeds the
reverse breakdown voltage. Let us learn about this exciting and unique kind of
diode. Zener diodes are heavily doped than ordinary diodes. They have extra thin
depletion region. When we apply a voltage more than the Zener breakdown
voltage (can range from 1.2 volts to 200 volts), the depletion region vanishes, and
large current starts to flow through the junction. There is a crucial difference
between an ordinary diode and a Zener diode. The depletion region regains its
original position after removal of the reverse voltage in Zener diode whereas in
regular diodes, they don't, and hence they get destroyed.
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APPLIED PHYSICS LAB PROJECT
On
Investigating the V-Icharacteristics of Zener Diode
Submitted to:
Submitted by:
OBJECTIVES:
3
To study and verify the functionality of Zener diode in reverse bias
1. Plot Volt-Ampere Characteristics of Zener Diode.
2. Find Zener Breakdown Voltage in Reverse Biased conditions.
3. To construct a zener diode voltage regulator power supply and measure
its line and load regulation
INTRODUCTION:
A Zener Diode is constructed for operation in the reverse breakdown re-
[Link] relation between V-I is almost linear in this case Vz = Vz0 + Izrz ,
where rz is the dynamic resistance of the zener at the operating point.Vz0 is
the voltage at which the straight-line approximation of the I-V characteristic
intersects the horizontal axis. After reaching a certain voltage V-I, called the
breakdown voltage, the current increases widely even for a small change in
voltage. However, there is no appreciable change in voltage. So, when we
plot the graph, we should get a curve very near to x-axis and almost parall ooel
to it for quite sometime. After the Zener potential Vz there will be a sudden
change and the graph will become exponential.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Breadboard, DC-voltage, miliammeter, Resistors like 3.30hms,5.1ohms,10ohm
Connecting wires, Zener diode.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM :
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PROCEDURE
● We first construct the circuit as shown in the figure with the 3.3ohm ,5.1ohm,10ohm
resistances and a variable DC input voltage.
● Now, we start increasing the voltage till there is some reading in the
multimeter for current.
● Then, we note that reading. Now, we start increasing the input voltage and take the
corressponding current readings.
● Weget a set of values and construct a V vs I graph.
● This graph gives us the V-I characteristics.
RESULTS:
● For 3.3kohm resistor :
S Voltage (volts) Current(mA)
No.
1 1.0 V 0
2 1.5 V 0
3 2.0 V 0
4 2.5 V 0
5 3.0 V 0
6 3.5 V 0
7 4.0 V 3.0
8 4.1 V 4.0
9 4.2 V 5.0
10 4.3 V 7.0
11 4.4 V 10
12 4.5V 15
● For 5.1 kohm resistor :
5
S Voltage (volts) Current(mA)
No.
1 1.5V 0
2 3.0 V 0
3 4.5 V 0
4 5.0 V 0
5 5.1 V -0.1
6 5.1 V -0.2
7 5.1V -0.5
8 5.1 V -0.8
9 5.1V -1.0
● For 10 kohm resistor:
S Voltage (volts) Current(mA)
No.
1 1.5V 0
2 3.0V 0
3 4.5V 0
4 5.0 V 0
5 5.1V -20
6 5.1V -50
7 5.1V -100
8 5.1V -250
9 5.1V -400
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DISCUSSION:
The precautions are quite similar to that taken in a normal diode i.e
•Excessive flow of current may damage the diode
•Current for sufficiently long time may change the characteristics
•Zener diodes are used in voltage regulation in circuits because even when,
a large current flows through, their voltage does not change appreciably.