EE4004: Electrical Engineering 2

EE4004: Electrical Engineering 2

Lecture 4
Aims:
To introduce the characteristics of the zener diode
Identify the operation of the zener diode and its use in a voltage regulator circuit
Identify the characteristics of the Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Identify the use of the LED

At the end of this lecture, examples sheet 2 should be attempted

1

Introduction

A range of diodes and variants on the single diode are available to the designer, each with
their own specific characteristics and for different circuit applications.

The following will discuss the:

Zener diode
The Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Seven segment display
Opto-isolator

Brendan O'Sullivan. / Dr Ian Grout. Dept. ECE UL

EE4004: Electrical Engineering 2

Zener diodes
In a diode, when we consider the reverse breakdown voltage (Vbr), the current flow can become
large and will in general only be limited by the external circuitry connected to the diode. If the
current becomes large, the diode may be destroyed.
However, if the current is limited, the reverse breakdown effect may be used without damage to
the diode. (It should be noted that two mechanisms contribute to reverse breakdown: the Zener
Effect and Avalanche Effect).
Zener diodes use reverse breakdown to create a diode with a given reverse breakdown voltage
(VZ). The circuit symbol for the zener diode is

Where
IZ
VZ

is the reverse bias current

is the reverse breakdown voltage

IZ
3

VZ

Voltage regulation using zener diodes

Consider the following circuit:

VR

v
ZD1

VZ

Output
Load
Circuit

A poorly regulated voltage input (v) is applied to a voltage regulator circuit consisting of a
series resistor (R) and zener diode (ZD1).
The output voltage is taken across ZD1 and is ideally constant. An output load circuit which
uses VZ would be connected across the diode.

Brendan O'Sullivan. / Dr Ian Grout. Dept. ECE UL

EE4004: Electrical Engineering 2

Voltage regulation using zener diodes

Considering that the output load circuit does
not have any current flowing into it, then one
of two circuit conditions exist:

When v is greater than VZ, the diode junction

will breakdown and a current IZ flows:

v = vR + VZ
v = (IZ.R ) + VZ

When v is less than VZ, the diode conducts

negligible current and the output voltage will
approximately equal v:

VZ v
5

Exercise 4.1

Consider the following circuit:

Where ZD1 has a VZ = 5.6V

VS = 10V
ZD1

VZ

Find the value for R when the zener

diode current is to be limited to 10mA.

Brendan O'Sullivan. / Dr Ian Grout. Dept. ECE UL

EE4004: Electrical Engineering 2

Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

The Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a common light source used in electronic circuits. The
LED is a semiconductor diode that emits light when current passes through it.

The circuit symbol is:

The characteristics of the LED are similar to other semiconductor diodes except the operating
voltage is higher.
A typical LED has an operating voltage of 2.0V and a maximum current of 30mA.
7

Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

When the LED is to be operated from a circuit voltage supply, a resistor will be required in
series with the LED to ensure the correct current and voltage for the LED.
Consider an LED operating from a +5V power supply and has 20mA flowing through it ..
the value for the resistor (R) will be 150
.

R
VS = 5V
LED1

Vd = +2.0V

Brendan O'Sullivan. / Dr Ian Grout. Dept. ECE UL

EE4004: Electrical Engineering 2

Seven segment displays

LEDs can be used as either individual devices to produce a display, or as a single suitably
packaged device.
One example is the seven-segment display. This consists of seven LEDs arranged as a figure 8.
By individually setting individual LEDs (a, b, c, d, e, f, g) to be on, numbers between 0 and 9
can be displayed (a decimal point may also be included in the display).

c
d

Seven segment displays

Two types of seven-segment display may be used: common anode and common cathode.

Common Anode

Common Cathode

10

Brendan O'Sullivan. / Dr Ian Grout. Dept. ECE UL

EE4004: Electrical Engineering 2

Opto-isolation
In digital circuits, we are interested in the logic levels (logic 0 and 1) which will be created by
voltages in the circuit. In the circuit, a logic level will be a set voltage.
When noise is added to wires carrying the voltages, problems can occur in incorrect logic levels
existing (the result of the set voltage with noise added to it).
Opto-isolation can be used to reduce noise problem and also provide electrical isolation
between parts of the system.
Opto-isolator
R
1

VI

VCC

VOUT
11

Opto-isolation
The opto-isolator is a single packaged device containing an LED (1) and phototransistor (2).

The phototransistor acts as a switch:

When VI is 0V (logic 0), the LED is OFF, the phototransistor switch is OFF and no current
flows through the resistor, R. VOUT = VCC (logic 1).

When VI is > 0V (logic 1), the LED is ON, the phototransistor switch is ON and current
flows through the resistor, R. VOUT = 0V (logic 0).

12

Brendan O'Sullivan. / Dr Ian Grout. Dept. ECE UL