To determine V-I characteristic of diode and zener diode and to find their

static and dynamic resistances.

EQUIPMENTS:

• PN junction diode, Zener diode, bread board, connecting wires OR Diode and Zener
characteristics trainer kit.
• Voltmeter (0-10 V) – One
• Voltmeter (0-30V) – One
• Ammeters (0-10mA), (0-100 mA) , (0-100 µ A) – One each
• DC power supply (0-30V, 0-2A variable)

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

a) Forward biasing

b) Reverse biasing

c) Zener diode characteristics

STEPWISE PROCEDURE:

1. Set up the experimental kit OR Identify the components required..

2. Connect the voltmeter, ammeter (mA, µA) as shown in circuit diagram for diode in forward

biasing mode OR Make the connections as per circuit diagram.

3. Switch on the power supply and increase applied voltage gradually.

4. Note down voltmeter and ammeter readings.

5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for reverse bias mode.

6. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for Zener diode when forward and reverse biased.

7. Tabulate the observations and plot the graphs for diode and zener diode separately.

8. Calculate static and dynamic resistance for diode from the graph plotted.

OBSERVATIONS:

Observation table for Diode Characteristics

Sr. Diode Forward Characteristics Reverse Characteristic

No. VF Volts IF mA VR Volts IR µA
1        
2        
3        
4        
5        
6        
7        
8        
9        
10        

(Note down the following specifications from Diode data manual)

• Type number of the diode : ……………………….
• Knee voltage / cut in voltage : ……………………….
• Given diode is Ge / Si diode : ……………………….
• PIV rating : ……………………….
• Maximum forward current rating : …………………….....

Observation table for Zener Diode Characteristics

Sr. Zener Forward Characteristics Reverse Characteristic

No. VF Volts IF mA Vi Volts Vz Volts Iz µA
1          
2          
3          
4          
5          
6          
7          
8          
9          
10          

(Note down the following specifications from Diode data manual)

• Breakdown voltage VZ : 4.7 V +/- 10%(Min 4.23V to Max 5.17V), 5.1 V +/- 10% (Min 4.59 to Max 5.61V)
• Type number of zener diode: 1N4732 / 1N4733
• Maximum wattage rating : 1 Watts
• Maximum current rating: 193 mA / 178 mA.

GRAPHS:
• Plot characteristics for VF / IF and VR / IR for diode.
• Plot characteristics for VF / IF and VZ / IZ for Zener diode.

CALCULATION:

Perform following calculations by selecting proper operating point

CONCLUSION:
1. The diode is said to be forward biased when the anode voltage is greater than the cathode voltage and
reverse biased when anode voltage is less than the cathode voltage.
2. The given diode is Silicon diode.
3. The cut in voltage for given diode is4.7 v or 5.1 Volts.
4. For zener diode after reverse breakdown with increase in current through it, the voltage across it remains
constant with current.