Group :

FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

ELECTRONICS FUNDAMENTAL

BETE 1323 SEMESTER 2 SESI 2016/2017

LAB 1: Basic of Diode, Zener Diode and Applications

NAME OF GROUP 1.
MEMBERS &
MATRIX NUMBER
2.

3.

COURSE

DATE

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR

EXAMINERS COMMENT VERIFICATION STAMP

TOTAL MARKS

1
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1.0 OBJECTIVES

To measure the forward and reverse- biased current and voltage characteristics for the PN
junction diode.
To compare the I-V characteristics of a diode and Zener diode.
To observe, explain and design the phenomenon of clipping and clamping using silicon
diode.
To measure the forward and reverse-biased current and voltage characteristic for the
zener diode.

1.1 EQUIPMENT/COMPONENTS

Part A .Basic of Diode & Zener Diode

Multimeter
Resistor 1k - 2 unit
Diode IN4001 2 unit
1N5231B (Zener Diode)
Breadboard
DC Power Supply

Part B. Clampers & Clippers

Breadboard
Oscilloscope
Function Generator
Resistor 1k2.2k and100kunit each
Capacitor 1F -1 unit
DC Power Supply
Multimeter

Part C. Basic of Zener Diode

Breadboard
Oscilloscope
Function Generator
DC Power Supply
Multimeter
1N5231B (Zener Diode)
Resistor 1k and 2.2k
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1.2 SYNOPSIS & THEORY

3.1 Basic of Diode

The current volt characteristics of a silicon or germanium diode have the general shape shown in
Fig 1.1. Note the change in scale for both the vertical and horizontal axes. In the reverse biased
region the reverse saturation currents are fairly constant from 0V to the Zener potential. In the
forward bias region the current increases quite rapidly with increasing diode voltage. Note that the
curve is rising almost vertically at a forward-biased voltage of less than 1V. The forward biased
diode current will limited solely by the network in which the diode is connected or by the maximum
current or power rating of the diode.

The firing potential or threshold voltage is determined by extending a straight line tangent
to the curves until it hits the horizontal axis. The intersection with the V D axis will determine the
threshold voltage VT at which the current begins to rise rapidly.

The DC or static resistance of a diode at any point on the characteristics is determined by the ratio
of the diode voltage at that point, divided by the diode current. That is:
V
R DC = D
ID
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Figure 1.1: Silicon and Germanium characteristics.

The AC resistance at a particular diode current or voltage can be determined using a

tangent line drawn as shown in Fig 1.2. The resulting voltage ( V) and current (I) deviations can
then be measured and the following equation applied.
V
rd =
I

It can be shown through the application of differential calculus that the Ac resistance of a
diode in the vertical rise section of the characteristics is given by:
26mV
rd =
ID

Figure 1.2
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For levels of current at and below the knee of the curve the AC resistance of a
silicon diode is better approximated by:
26mV
rd =2[ ]
ID

3.2 CLIPPER AND CLAMPER

Basic clipper circuit consists of diode and resistor. It is used to clip or eliminate the portion of the
alternating signal and also used to convert the alternating signal to a pulsating dc signal. DC
battery will be used to provide additional shifts or clips the applied voltage.

Basic clamper circuit consists of diode, resistor and capacitor. Clampers are designed to clamp an
alternating input signal to a specific dc level. To start the analysis of clamper circuits, we must
always consider the connection in forward biased.

3.3 Zener Diode.

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 - the breakdown voltage known as the Zener voltage.

The Zener voltage of a standard diode is high, but if a reverse current above that value is allowed
to pass through it, the diode is permanently damaged. Zener diodes are designed so that their
zener voltage is much lower - for example just 2.4 Volts. When a reverse current above the Zener
voltage passes through a Zener diode, there is a controlled breakdown which does not damage the
diode. The voltage drop across the Zener diode is equal to the Zener voltage of that diode no
matter how high the reverse bias voltage is above the Zener voltage.
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The illustration above shows this phenomenon in a Current vs. Voltage graph. With a zener diode
connected in the forward direction, it behaves exactly the same as a standard diode - i.e. a small
voltage drop of 0.3 to 0.7V with current flowing through pretty much unrestricted. In the reverse
direction however there is a very small leakage current between 0V and the Zener voltage - i.e.
just a tiny amount of current is able to flow. Then, when the voltage reaches the breakdown voltage
(Vz), suddenly current can flow freely through it.

1.3 PROCEDURE

Part 1 : DIODE & ZENER DIODE

Part A: Diode & Zener Diode Characteristics.

1. By referring to Figure 1.3, list down the component and describe the function in Table 1.0.
R1
1 2
A 1.0k

V1 D
12 V 1N4001 V

Figure 1.3

Symbol Component Function

Name
V1
12 V

A
R1

1.0k
D

1N4001
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V
Table 1.0

2. Construct the circuit and measure the voltage and current. Record the measurement in Table
1.1.
3. Reverse the diode and repeat step 2. Record the measurement in Table 1.2.
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 using Zener diode.

Value Diode Zener Diode

Voltage
Ammeter
Table 1.1

Value Diode Zener Diode

Voltage
Ammeter
Table 1.2

Part B: I-V Characteristics of Diode vs Zener Diode.

1. Construct the circuit shown in Figure 1.4.

Figure 1.4

2. Measure the voltage (VD) and current (ID) values across diode with the power supply shown in
Table 1.3 and complete the table.

Vpower 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0
supply(V)

VD(V)
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ID(mA)
Table 1.3

3. Plot the voltage, VD (horizontal axis) vs. the current, ID (vertical axis) from the resistor and
diode data table.
4. Repeat step 1 until step 3 using Zener diode.

PART 2: CLIPPER AND CLAMPING CIRCUIT

Part A: Parallel Clipper

V1 R = 2.2k V2

-4/4V +
Si

1000 Hz
Vo
E=1.5V

Figure 1.5

1. Construct the clipping network circuit as shown in Fig. 1.5.

2. Apply an 8 Vp-p sinusoidal-wave at a frequency of 1 kHz to the input, V1.
3. Observe the output voltage, Vo using dual channel oscilloscope and sketch the waveform.
4. Reverse the DC supply connection in Figure 1.5 and sketch the waveform.
5. Calculate Vo for both positive and negative cycle and compare with Vo from oscilloscope.

Part B: Series Clipper

Si
V1 + V2

E=1.5V
-4/4V +
5V

1000 Hz
R=1k Vo

Figure 1.6

1. Construct the clipping network circuit as shown in Figure 1.6.

2. Apply an 8 Vp-p sinusoidal-wave at a frequency of 1 kHz to the input, V1.
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3. Observe the output voltage, Vo using dual channel oscilloscope and sketch the waveform.
4. Reverse the DC supply connection in Figure 1.5 and sketch the waveform.
5. Calculate Vo for both positive and negative cycle and compare with Vo from oscilloscope.

Part C: Clamping Circuit

V1 V2

Vo

Figure 1.7

1. Construct the clamping network circuit as shown in Figure 1.7.

2. Apply an 8 Vp-p sinusoidal-wave at a frequency of 1 kHz to the input,V1.
3. Observe the output voltage, Vo using dual channel oscilloscope and sketch the waveform.
4. Reverse the DC supply connection in Figure 1.5 and sketch the waveform.
5. Calculate Vo for both positive and negative cycle and compare with Vo from oscilloscope.

PART 3: APPLICATION OF ZENER DIODE

Part A: Zener Diode As a Voltage Clamp

Figure 1.8
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1. Simulate the circuit as shown in Figure 1.8 using Multisim.

2. Apply an 8 Vp-p sinusoidal-wave at a frequency of 1 kHz to the input, V1.
3. Observe the output voltage, V2 using oscilloscope.
4. Increase the supply to 12 Vp-p and observe the waveform.
5. Construct the circuit as shown in Fig. 1.8 on breadboard.
6. Repeat step 2 until step 4.
7. Compare the result with simulation waveform.
Note: For 1N5231B VZD = 5.1 V

Part B: Zener Diode as Voltage Regulator

RS=1k, RL=2.2k, DZ=1N5231B

Figure 1.9

1. Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 1.9.

2. Set the voltage from 4V up to 12 V at input, Vin with increment of 1V.
3. Measure the voltage, VO and current, IL by using multimeter.
4. Tabulate the data.
5. Plot Current (mA) vs Voltage (V) graph from the data.
6. By referring to your data, define the value of Vin when Zener diode is turned ON and
support your answer with calculation.
7. Calculate power dissipated, PZ when Zener diode is in ON state. (show your calculation in
your report)

1.4 EXPERIMENT RESULTS

Provide any result, waveform and calculation.

1.5 QUESTIONS

1. From the diode symbol and diode physical, which lead represent anode and cathode?
2. Base on your measurement in part A, which one is forward and reverse bias. Explain.
3. What is 0.7V referring to?
4. What are the differences between diode and Zener diode?

1.6 DISCUSSION

1. Explain about result based on graph, table and waveform in sentences. Interpret your result
and observation.
2. A broad discussion used in experiment such as result, challenges, difficulties, precaution,
theories and assumption.
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3. Discuss any mistakes you may have while performing the experiment. If your data is weird,
try to figure out what is wrong. Suggest how the investigation might have been improved.

1.7 CONCLUSION
Wrap up your report in short nice statement. Related to your objectives, theory and result.