Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)

S. B. JAIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,

MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH, NAGPUR.

Practical No. 2

Aim: Experimenting the V-I Characteristics of Zener diode and

determine the cut-in voltage, breakdown voltage & dynamic resistance.

Name of Student:

Roll No.:

Semester/Year:

Academic Session:

Date of Performance:

Date of Submission:

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 1

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)

AIM: Experimenting the V-I Characteristics of Zener diode and determine the cut-in voltage,
breakdown voltage & dynamic resistance.

OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this practical are:
 To plot & verify the Volt-Ampere characteristics of Zener diode.
 To determine the cut-in voltage & breakdown voltage of Zener diode.
 To determine the dynamic resistance in zener region.

APPARATUS:

S. No Name of Apparatus Rating/Type Quantity

1 Zener diode kit - 1

2 Voltmeter 0 to 1V & 0 to 10V 1

3 Ammeter 0 to 10 m A 2

4 Connecting wires Standard As Required

FORMULAE:

𝑽𝒁
The dynamic resistance of Zener diode, rz =
𝑰𝒁

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 2

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)
AIM: Experimenting the V-I Characteristics of Zener diode and determine the cut-in voltage,
breakdown voltage & dynamic resistance.

OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this practical are:
 To plot & verify the Volt-Ampere characteristics of Zener diode.
 To determine the cut-in voltage & breakdown voltage of Zener diode.
 To determine the dynamic resistance in zener region.

APPARATUS:

S. No Name of Apparatus Rating/Type Quantity

1 Zener diode kit - 1

2 Voltmeter 0 to 1V & 0 to 10V 1

3 Ammeter 0 to 10 m A 2

4 Connecting wires Standard As Required

FORMULAE:
𝑽𝒁
The dynamic resistance of Zener diode, rz =
𝑰𝒁

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 3

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

R mA R mA
+ - + -

IF IR

+ +
VF VR
_ _
(0-1V)
(0-Vz)

A) Forward Bias mode B) Reverse Bias mode

Fig. (a) Circuit for characteristics of Zener diode.

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 4

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)
THEORY:

A Zener Diode is a special kind of diode which permits current to flow in the
forward direction as normal, but will also allow it to flow in the reverse direction when the
voltage is above a certain value i.e. the breakdown voltage known as the Zener voltage.

Zener diode is a junction diode with heavily doped p and n regions. A forward biased Zener
diode conducts like an ordinary p-n junction diode, when the biasing exceeds the junction barrier
potential. When reverse biased, the reverse saturation current is very small of the order of μA until
the breakdown voltage is reached. At one particular reverse voltage (called breakdown voltage), the
resistance of the diode becomes very low and the reverse current increases abruptly. Since the
voltage across the diode is almost a constant as long as it is conducting, it is used as a voltage
regulator.

PRECAUTIONS:
1. While doing the experiment do not exceed the ratings of the diode. This may lead to
damage of the diode.
2. Connect voltmeter and Ammeter in correct polarities as shown in the circuit diagram.
3. Do not switch ON the power supply unless you have checked the circuit connections as
per the circuit diagram.

PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the circuit for forward bias characteristics as shown in circuit diagram „A‟.
2. Switch ON the power supply.
3. Vary the forward voltage (VF) in steps of 0.1V from 0V to 1V, note the corresponding
current (IF) flowing through the diode in the observation table – I.
4. Plot the Zener diode forward characteristics.
5. Reverse the terminals of diode, For 6V Zener diode vary the reverse voltage (V R) in steps
of 1V from 0V to 6V then 6.2, 6.4, 6.6V till 7V, note the corresponding current (I R)
flowing through the diode in the observation table –II.
6. Plot the Zener diode reverse characteristics.

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 5

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)
OBSERVATION TABLE: Resistance R=39Ω

(a) TABLE –I -Forward Characteristics (b)TABLE –II -Reverse Characteristics

Sr. Sr. VR IR VZ = VR-

VF (V) IF (mA)
No. No. (V) (mA) (IR.R)
1 0 1 1

2 0.1 2 2

3 0.2 3 3

4 0.3 4 4

5 0.4 5 5
6 6
6 0.5
7 6.2
7 0.6
8 6.4
8 0.7
9 6.6
9 0.8
10 6.8
10 0.9
11 1.0 11 7

CALCULATION: (From Graph)

Dynamic resistance of Zener diode,

VZ
rz 
IZ

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 6

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)
RESULT:

Thus, we have studied & verified V-I characteristics of Zener diode.

Following important parameters of Zener diode are observed to be:

1) The cut in voltage is found to be V.
2) The Zener breakdown voltage of zener diode is found to be V.
3) The Reversed dynamic resistance of Zener diode is found to be Ω

CONCLUSION:

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What is the difference between p-n Junction diode and zener diode?
2) What are the applications of Zener diode?
3) What are the different types of breakdowns in semiconductor junctions?
4) What do you understand by Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown?
5) What is voltage regulator?
6) What happens to the current through the diode if the reverse bias voltage in increased? What
happens to the voltage?
7) List the other Zener diodes with different breakdown voltages.
8) Can we use Zener diode as a switch??
9) Explain why it is necessary to use a voltage stabilizing circuit in a power supply?

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 7

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)
GRAPH: Plot a graph between Voltage and Current for forward and reverse bias condition on
a single graph paper.

I F (mA)

Forward Bias

V F (V)
V R (V) Cut In Voltage

Reverse Bias

Constant IR (mA)
Zener
Voltage

Graph: Forward & reverse characteristics of Zener diode

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 8

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)
Answer of allotted two viva Questions:-

Ans1.

Ans2.

REFERENCE: (BOOKS)
1) “Experiments in Engineering Physics” Dr. M. N. Avadhanulu, Dr. A. A. Dani, P. M. Pokley
2) “Engineering Physics” Dr. M. N. Avadhanulu, Dr. S. A. Pande, A. R. Golhar, S. R. Choubey
3) “Fundamentals of Physics”, D. Halliday, R. Resnick and J. Walker.
4) “Concepts of modern physics” Baiser (Tata McGraw Hill).

WWW:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode
https://www.electrical4u.com/what-is-zener-diode/
http://amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=1&brch=6&sim=24&cnt=1

Teacher’s Sign

Date

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 9

 Applied Physics Lab (N-BSC102P)

Department of First Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur. 10