E330 ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN

PRACTICAL NO. 7

D.C. VOLTAGE MULTIPLICATION USING JUNCTION DIODES

Abstract Voltage multipliers are used to obtain high values of d.c. voltages from low voltage a.c. supplies. These circuits find application in H.V. supplies of cathode ray tubes, particle accelerators, flash units, Xray machines and other small current high voltage power supplies. In this lab principles behind diode voltage multiplication circuits are developed. 2. THEORETICAL DERIVATIONS To be completed before coming to the Lab
C3

4No. Small-signal Diodes 4No. 10 nF capacitors 1No. Signal generator 1No. DMM 1No. Oscilloscope

D4

C4

D3

2.1 If vin = Vpsint, in Fig. 4 2.2 Obtain expression for the voltages across C1 , C2 , C3, C4 and reverse voltage across diode D1 in Fig. 4. Clearly indicate your voltage directions in a circuit diagram. 2.3 If diode voltage drop was significant what would the voltages in 2.2 be? 3. 3.1 PRACTICAL EXERCISE

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C1 D1

D2 C2

F ig .

Connect the circuit shown in Fig 1 using small signal diodes (e.g. 1N4148), 10 nF capacitors and an input voltage of 10 V peak-to-peak from a generator with zero or no offset voltage. N.B. This circuit should have only one ground as indicated, no other ground should be established otherwise the circuit will not operate properly. A digital meter isolated from ground may however be used between any two points. Set the Oscilloscope to d.c. coupled input and the ground reference of the CRO trace to known reference position. Sketch the voltage across D1 relative to the ground level and measure the peak value of the trace on the CRO. Discuss and comment on the measurements you obtained above explaining for example: why the oscilloscope should be set to d.c. coupled input, whether the result consistent with your prediction and the effect of diode forward voltage drop in your measurement? Measure the individual d.c. voltages across the capacitors C1 to C4 using a DMM and the total voltage across C2 and C4, and across C1 and C2. 1

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Comment on your measurement in relation to your predictions. Is there any effect of diode forward voltage drop? If so quantify it. Connect a loading resistor of 10 k and then another of 1 k to the output (taken across C2 and C4) and in each case measure the a.c. and d.c. values of the output. Explain the effect you observe of adding a load resistor.

DESIGN EXERCISE A section of a circuit requires a voltage of between 60 V and 67 V d.c. to operate. The voltage is obtained from a mains transformer of 240 V primary and 9 V r.m.s secondary voltage. N.B. If you think there is any missing data to achieve this you may assume any reasonable values. 4.1 4.2 Design a diode voltage multiplier circuit that can be used to obtain a d.c. voltage which is within the required range. Give the relevant key specifications of the all the diodes and capacitors that may be used to implement you circuit assuming that the current taken from the circuit is small (i.e. < 1 mA). If the load was resistive, what range of resistance values can be used as a load without drawing too much current? What do you think would happen if higher currents are taken from your circuit?

4.3 4.4

The report you hand in should be readable and understandable to some body reading it that has never seen this lab sheet. All questions asked should be answered in your report