<^< Examples: Zener Diodes | Course Index | Light Emitting Diodes >^>
| Objective:
| To obtain the I / V characteristic of a zener diode.
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| Underpinning knowledge:
| Semiconductors. Diodes. Zener diodes. Forward and reverse connection. Forward voltage drop. Zener voltage.
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| Apparatus:
| TINA circuit file, or apparatus to make the following circuit.
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| TINA Circuit File:
| Click here to download circuit file
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| Initial Settings:
| Battery supply = 5V. Diode connected in the reverse / zener direction.
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| Requires:
| Paper, Linear graph paper, pen or pencil.
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| Instructions:
(a) Measure and record in a table values of current at each of the following reverse voltages; 3V, 4V, 5V, 5.2V, 5.4V, 5.6V, 5.8V, 6V, 6.2V, 6.4V.
(b) Plot a graph to show the variation of reverse / zener current, IR, against reverse voltage, VR.
(c) Estimate the zener voltage for the diode.
(d) Reconnect the diode in the forward direction and verify that the forward characteristic is the same as that for any conventional silicon diode.
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Observations:
Comment on the graph produced and the measured zener voltage drop. Is this what you would have expected?
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| Further work:
Derive characteristics for two other types of zener diode using models available within TINA. Compare the results with those of the 'ideal' zener diode.
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<^< Examples: Zener Diodes | Course index | Light Emitting Diodes >^>
