Electronics Engineering Program - PUPSTB

ECEN 30012
BASIC ELECTRONICS 1

Experiment #12: ZENER DIODE REGULATOR

Pre-Lab: 1. Know the terminal pins of the zener diode based on its packaging.

2. Secure a data sheet for your zener diode’s operating voltage.

Objectives:

1. To be able to determine how a zener diode works and how it is different from a typical diode.

2. To test the zener diode as a voltage regulator.

Materials:

Zener Diode (1N4733 or equivalent), 1kΩ or 10kΩ, 100Ω resistor, 10kΩ potentiometer, LED, DC power
supply, Multitester

Discussion:

*Students are required to have a research. A one page attachment is required.

Procedures:

1. Construct the circuit shown below. You can choose any value of resistor which will make the LED lit.

2. Reverse the connection of the zener diode (anode terminal is now connected to the LED). What
happens?
3. Connect the circuit shown below. (Connect Zener diode properly).

4. To observe the “line regulation “of the regulator, adjust E and complete table 1.

5. To observe the “load regulation “of the regulator, replace RL with a l0KΩ Pot, and set E = 15V and
complete table 2.
Electronics Engineering Program - PUPSTB
ECEN 30012
BASIC ELECTRONICS 1

Experiment #12: ZENER DIODE REGULATOR

EVALUATION SHEET:

Name: ______________________________________________________

Date: ________________________

TABLE 1: TABLE 2:

E (V) VL (V) Iz (mA) RL (Ω) VL (V) Iz (mA)

1.5 9K

3.0 8K

4.5 7K

6.0 6K

9.0 5K

12 4K

15 3K

2K

1K

CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS:

1. Explain in detail why VL acted as it did in table 2.

2. Why exactly did the presence of the milliammeter in the Zener branch reduce the effectiveness of the diode?

3. If the l0-KΩ load resistor opened in the circuit of Fig.2. How much Zener dissipation would be developed?