ECE104L BASIC ELECTRONICS LABORATORY

Laboratory Activity #7 (4-3)

Zener Diode Voltage Regulation

Name:SANTOS, JOSEPH GILBERT R. Date

Performed: 02/9/2016
Section:ECE104L - B36 Instructor: Ronel V.
Vidal, PECE

I. Objective/s:
At the end of this experiment, we will be able:
1) To measure regulation properties using a zener diode shunt voltage
regulator, with the verification by using a multimeter.

II. Introduction:
In this experiment, we emphasized on the voltage regulating capabilities of
the zener diode. When the diode is reverse biased and sufficient current
flows through its PN junction, the voltage across the device appears as a
near steady DC voltage. To get near constant voltage even in changes in
both line and load, the zener diode shunt regulator must be used.

III. Methodology (Materials & Procedure):

The materials used in this experiment are: F.A.C.E.T. Base Unit,
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES Circuit Board, banana , two-post and single-post
connectors, an oscilloscope, a power supply and a multimeter.

The procedure for this experiment is as follows: UNIT 4-3

1) Adjust the DC power sources to +15 Vdc and -15 Vdc. Turn the
power sources off. Insert the SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES circuit
board into the base unit. Do not turn on the power sources at this time.
2) Answer/Do what is asked in the procedure. (Procedures/Questions 2-
12)
3) Use Vr3 recorded in table 4-4 and the Ohms law current formula to
calculate the zener current (Ir3 = Vr3/R3). Record your results in table
4-4.
4) Answer the procedure # 14.
 5) Using the same graph and data table, plot the zener current versus
output voltage. Label this line the ZENER CURRENT.
6) Answer/Do what is asked in the procedure. (Procedures/Questions
16-17)
7) Using the voltage drop of R3 as an indicator of zener current, adjust
R4 until the zener current drops to just 20 mA. Record the circuit output
voltage at this point (Vr3 = 0.20 Volts). Ensure that the source voltage of
the circuit equals +10 Vdc.
8) Answer/Do what is asked in the procedure. (Procedures/Questions
19-22)
9) Set the source voltage for +10 Vdc. Do not remove power from the
circuit. The F.A.C.E.T. setup will be used for two review questions.

IV. Data & Results:

UNIT 4-3:
2) Locate the ZENER DIODE REGULATOR circuit block on the
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES circuit board. Adjust R4 to its maximum
CCW position (for maximum load resistance value and minimum load
current). With an ohmmeter, measure and record the load resistance
and R3 values.
Answer: R4 = 940-ohms, R3 = 10-ohms, R5 = 99-ohms and R2 = 63-ohms

3) Connect the circuit shown in figure 4-27. Turn on the power sources.
Adjust the positive variable supply for +10 V. Is diode CR1 forward or reverse
biased?
Answer: Forward biased

4) Based on the answer to question 3, what is the expected circuit output

voltage (across the load) (Vz + Vr3)?
Answer: Approximately 7 volts
5) Measure and record the circuit output voltage. Does your measured value
support your step 3 answer?
Answer: Vz +Vr3 = 6.17 V. Yes, it supports our answer in step 3

6) Adjust the positive variable supply to the values indicated in table 4-3.
Calculate the required currents based on your measured values of RL
and R3 (step 2). Complete the table for each value of source voltage
(positive adjustable supply).
Answer:

7) Plot the data from the source voltage and load voltage columns onto
the graph of figure 4-28.
Answer:
 8) Based on your data, what is the load voltage change when the source
voltage changes 3 volts (use 10 Vdc as your starting point)?
Answer: Approximately 1 Volt

9) Does the data indicate that a zener regulator circuit provides good line-
to-load regulation?
Answer: Yes, it provides good line-to-load regulation

10) What value of Vr3 indicates that the zener diode is no longer in
conduction?
Answer: Vr3 = 0 V

11) As the value of zener current decreased, did the zener operating point
move toward or away from its knee?
Answer: Toward from its knife

12) Adjust the positive supply for +10 Vdc. Set the R4 control to the
maximum CCW position. Use the voltage drop across R5 to determine
load current (Ir5 = Vr5/R5). Record your results at each required load
current point in table 4-4.
Answer:
 14) Using the data from table 4-4 and the voltage/current graph of figure
4-29, plot the circuit output voltage versus load current. Label this line
the LOAD VOLTAGE.
Answer:

16) Based on your data, is the output voltage regulation better at higher
levels of zener current or at low to zero levels of zener current?
Answer: Output voltage regulation is better at higher levels of zener
current
 17) Based on the plotted data, do the zener and load currents increase
and decrease together?
Answer: They are inversely proportional

19) From table 4-4 and the value recorded in step 18(in exercise)/step 7(in
this report) (Vout at full load), calculate and record the percentage of
load voltage regulation of your circuit. Use the following formula:

Answer: % regulation = 3.88%

20) With R4 set as it was adjusted in step 18 (or 7 in this report), reduce
Vs to +9 Vdc. Record the load voltage at this point.
Answer: Vout = 6.76 V

21) From the table 4-4 and the value recorded in step 20 [Vout at full load
and minimum source (9V)], calculate the combined effect of load and
line change on the circuit output voltage regulation. Use the following
formula:

Answer: % regulation = 6.8%

22) Based on your calculations, is the combined effect of line and load
regulation better or worse than the load regulation alone?
Answer: Worse than the load regulation alone

V. Discussion of Results/ Conclusion:

In this exercise, we learned that a zener diode can be used in a voltage
regulator circuit as a zener shunt regulator. Even in large fluctuations in both
the source voltage and the load current, still, the output voltage of the circuit
remained almost constant. In maintining its zener region, the zener current
must be dropped below minimum current. And we calculated our percent
regulation, by using our recorded data and formula. And lastly, the combined
effects of line and load changes are held within 10%.
VI. References:
* http://www.instructables.com/id/Zener-Diode-Shunt-Regulator/
* http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/diodes/zener.aspx
* http://www.ittc.ku.edu/~jstiles/312/handouts/The%20Shunt
%20Regulator.pdf
* Hard copy of the exercise