‘Physics Investigatory Project On’

“To Study Characteristics And Functions

Of Zener Diode ”

Submitted By: Submitted To:

Name :Gautam Maini Mr. Anupam Singh
Class :XII Non-Medical (Subject Incharge)
Roll No:
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks of
gratitude to my teacher ‘Mr. Anupam Singh’ as
well as our principal ‘Mrs. Rajendra Khubar’ who
gave me the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project on the topic ‘To Study
Characteristics And Functions Of Zener Diode’,
which also helped me in doing a lot of Research
and I came to know about so many new things I
am really thankful to them.
Secondly I would also like to thank my parents
and friends who helped me a lot in finalizing this
project within the limited time frame.

Yours Obediently,
-Gautam Maini
 Department Of Physics

“Certificate of Excellence”

This Is To Certify that ‘Gautam Maini’, Student of

Class XII Has Completed his Investigatory project
on the topic of “To Study Characteristics And
Functions Of Zener Diode” under the Guidance of
‘Mr. Anupam Singh’ during the year 2018-19 in
partial fulfillment of Physics Practical Examination.

____________ ____________
Signature Of Examiner Signature Of Subject
Incharge
 INDEX
Heading Page No.

Aim Of Project 1

Introduction 2

Theory 3-6

Experiment 7-8

Observation 9-10

Precaution 11

Conclusion 12

Bibliography 13
 Aim Of The Project

To Study and Observe The

Characteristics and Functions of Zener
Diode. Like The Breakdown Voltage ,
V-I Characteristics , It’s Behavior in
Reverse and Forward Biasing and It’s
Function As Voltage Regulator.

1.
 Introduction
A Zener diode is a diode that, unlike a normal one,
allows current to flow not only from its anode to its
cathode, but also in the reverse direction, when
the Zener voltage is reached. Zener diodes have a
highly doped p-n junction. Normal diodes will also
break down with a reverse voltage but the
voltage and sharpness of the knee are not as well
defined as for a Zener diode. Also normal diodes
are not designed to operate in the breakdown
region, but Zener diodes can reliably operate in
this region. The device was named after Clarence
Melvin Zener, who discovered the Zener effect
However, many diodes described as "Zener"
diodes rely instead on avalanche breakdown.
Both breakdown types are used in Zener diodes
with the Zener effect predominating under 5.6 V
and avalanche breakdown above

2.
Bibliography
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.google.com
 www.physics.com
 Pradeep’s Physics Class12
 NCERT
 Physics Lab manual by
Comprehensive
 Adobe Illustrations

13.
 Precautions

1. All Connection should be Neat

2. All Connection should be Clean
3. All Connections Should Be Tight
4. Key should Be Used in Circuit and
Opened When the Circuit is not Being
Used

11.
 Theory
#Basic
The diode is one of the basic components in electronic circuits. When you want
to know about voltage considerations you should know about the diodes. The
diode is basically made up of semiconductors which have two characteristics, ‘P’
type and ‘N’ type. The ‘Type and ‘N’ type semiconductors represent positive and
negative type semiconductors. ‘Type semiconductor will have excess amount of
holes in configuration and ‘N’ type semiconductor will have excess amount of
electrons. If both types of characteristics present in a single crystal then it can
be termed as a diode. The positive terminal of the battery connects with the ‘P’
side and the negative side is connected with the ‘N’ side. Let’s discuss about
Zener diode working, It is nothing but a simple diode connecting in reverse bias.

#Zener Diode’s Explanation

It is mainly a special property of the diode rather than any special type of
equipment. The person named Clearance Zener invented this property of the
diode that’s why it is named after him as a remembrance. The special property
of the diode is that there will be a breakdown in the circuit if the voltage applied
across a reversely biased circuit. This does not allow the current to flow across
it. When the voltage across the diode is increased, temperature also increases
and the crystal ions vibrate with greater amplitude and all these leads to the
breakdown of the depletion layer. The layer at the junction of ‘P’ type and ‘N’
type.
3.
(Zener Diode V-I Characteristics)

When the applied voltage exceeds an specific amount Zener breakdown takes
place.
Zener diode is nothing but a single diode connected in a reverse bias mode and
Zener diode can be connected in reverse bias positive in a circuit as shown as
picture. We can connect it for different applications.

The circuit symbol of Zener diode is as shown in the figure. For convenience it is
used normally. When discussing about the diode circuits we should look
through the graphical representation of the operation of the Zener diode. It is
called the V-I characteristics of a general p – n junction diode.

# Characteristics of a Zener Diode

The above diagram shows the V-I characteristics of the Zener diode behavior.
When the diode is connected in forward bias diode acts as a normal diode. When
the reverse bias voltage is greater than a predetermined voltage then the Zener
breakdown voltage occurs. To get breakdown voltage sharp and distinct doping
is controlled and the surface imperfections are avoided. In the V-I characteristics
above Vz is the Zener voltage. And also the knee voltage because at this point
the current is the current is very rapid.
 4.
(Zener Diode Behavior)

# Application: Zener Diode as Voltage Regulator

The term regulator means which regulates. The Zener diode can work as a
voltage regulator if it is introduced in a circuit. The output across the diode will
be constant. It is driven by a current source. As we know if the voltage across the
diode exceeds a certain value it would draw excessive current from the supply.

To fix the current through the Zener diode series resistance R is introduced
whose value can be chosen from the following equation

Resistor value (ohms) = (V1 – V2) / (Zener current + load current)

The Zener diode produces a stable reference voltage across the load which
fulfills the criteria of regulator requirement. The Zener diode allows current to
flow in the forward direction in the same manner as an ideal diode. It also
permits to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above a certain value
known as breakdown voltage.
 5.
As this device is named after C.Zener . He discovered this electrical property. A
Zener diode is one in which the reverse breakdown occurs due to electron
quantum tunneling under high electric field strength
Circuit Diagram (Zener Diode Connectivity)

called Zener effect. Many diodes described as Zener diodes rely instead on
avalanche breakdown. Both types are used with the Zener effect predominating
under 5.6 V and avalanche breakdown above. Regular applications include
providing a reference voltage for voltage regulators. This is to protect devices
from momentary voltage pulses. These devices are also encountered in series
with a base emitter junction. At transistor stages where selective choice of a
device centered around the avalanche or Zener point. It can be used to introduce
compensating temperature coefficient balancing of the transistor . DC error
amplifier used in a regulated power supply circuit feedback loop system is the
one of the example.
 6.

Experiment

Aim: To draw the characteristics curve of a Zener diode and

determine it’s reverse breakdown voltage.
Appratus Required: A Zener Diode, A 10v battery, a high
resistance, Rheostate, Voltmeter, Ammeter, One way key,
Connecting Wires.
Circuit Parameters:
VI Input Voltage
Vo Output Voltage
RI Input Resistance
RL Load Resistance
II Input Current
Iz Zener Diode Current
IL Load Current

Formulation:
* IL= II - Iz (1)
* Vo= VI - RI II (2)
# Constant value of Vo Gives reverse breakdown voltage

7.
Circuit Diagram :

Procedure:
1)Arrange the apparatus as showin in ckt. Diagram. Make all
connection neat clean and tight. Note Zero Count of
ammeter and voltmeter.
2)Bring Rheostat near -ve end and insert key. Ammeter and
voltmeter reading remains zero.
3).bring it near +ve end and apply Reverse bias voltage
milliammeter readings remains constant.
4)Further Increasing Or Decreasing will show you the desired
V-I characteristics as stated in the theory.
5)Record your observations .
 8.

SNo. Input Voltage Input Current

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
 12.
13. Observation
9.
Last Count Of Voltmeter(V1) =_____v
Zero error of Voltmeter(V1) =______v
Least count of Voltmeter(V2) =____v
Zero error of Voltmeter(V2) =_____v
Least count of milli-ammeter =_____mA
Zero error of milli-ammeter =____mA
Calculations: Plot a Graph between Input Voltage
and input current along X and Y Axis Respectively.
Result: The reverse breakdown voltage of given
Zener Diode is __
Graph:
 10.

Conclusion
We Observed Zener Diode and It’s Functioning in
Forward And Reverse Biasing. Studied V-I
Characteristics Graphically and Theoretically. Also
performed an experiment to Determine Reverse
Breakdown Voltage Which Was Found To Be 5.6
volts . Which Also Told us about the significance
Of Zener Diode As a Voltage regulator.
12.