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This version is outdated by a newer approved version.This version (27 Nov 2018 10:28) was approved by Antoniu Miclaus.The Previously approved version (26 Oct 2018 14:27) is available.
This version is outdated by a newer approved version.This version (27 Nov 2018 10:28) was approved by Antoniu Miclaus.The Previously approved version (26 Oct 2018 14:27) is available.This is an old revision of the document!
Table of Contents
Activity: Zener Diode Regulator
Objectives:
A voltage regulator is a circuit used to maintain a constant output voltage at a load independent of changes in the load current. For example, the “load” could be a microcontroller based system that requires a constant supply voltage even as its demand for current varies with system activity. The zener diode regulator of figure 1 offers a very simplified way to maintain the load voltage VL at the same value as the reverse breakdown voltage of the zener diode, provided that the load resistance RL remains higher than some lower limit. The voltage source VIN and resistor RS model the Thévenin resistance of a possible circuit that has converted a high voltage such as the 120V AC mains power to an unregulated and unfiltered lower DC voltage source.
Materials:
ADALM2000 Active Learning Module
Solder-less Breadboard
1 - 1KΩ Resistor (RS)
1 - 5KΩ Variable resistor, potentiometer (RL)
1 - Zener diode (1N4735 or similar)
Directions:
Build the circuit shown in figure 1 on your solder-less breadboard using the 1N4735 6.1 volt zener diode. Use AWG1 (5V constant) and the -5V Vn user supply to establish the DC supply VIN. Use various fixed and variable resistors for RL.
Figure 1 Zener Diode regulator
Hardware Setup:
Figure 2 Zener Diode regulator Breadboard Circuit
Procedure:
1. Monitor and report the load voltage VL by using the Scopy Voltmeter instrument to measure VL for RL equal to:
- Open circuit
Figure 3 RL = Open Circuit Zener Diode regulator waveform
- 10 kΩ
Figure 4 RL = 10kΩ Zener Diode regulator waveform
- 1 kΩ
Figure 5 RL = 1kΩ Zener Diode regulator waveform
- 100 Ω
Figure 6 RL = 100Ω Zener Diode regulator waveform
2. Replace the load RL with a 5KΩ potentiometer, and adjust the potentiometer to determine the minimum value of RL for which VL remains within 10% of the zener voltage VZ. Measure and report the resistance you set the potentiometer to. How does this resistance relate to the value of RS?
Questions:
Add questions here:
Further Exploration:
Investigate the current/voltage characteristic curve for the zener diode using the same technique described in Activity 2 by measuring the current in RS with scope channel 2 and plotting the voltage across the zener vs the current in the Oscilloscope XY mode. Be sure to adjust the horizontal voltage range and offset to include the 6.1 volt breakdown voltage. Discuss your results, in particular the ways in which the zener diode is similar to and different from a conventional diode.
Driving larger load currents:
As we saw in the simple zener diode regulator in figure 1, the maximum load current is determined by resistor RS. Also the circuit is very inefficient for smaller load currents with respect to the maximum in that the excess current flows in the zener when not flowing in the load. The inclusion of an emitter follower or Darlington emitter follower current amplifier can greatly improve the efficiency of this regulator circuit as shown in figure 2.
Additional Materials:
2 - NPN transistors (2N3904 and TIP31)
2 - small signal diodes (1N914 or similar)
Figure 2, Adding a current amplifier stage
Directions:
Build either of the circuits shown in figure 2 on your solder-less breadboard using the 1N4735 6.1 volt zener diode as D1 and a 2N3904 or TIP31 power transistor for Q1. Q2 can be a 2N3904 and D2, D3 can be a 1N914.
The extra diode D2 is added in series with the zener to partially cancel the additional VBE drop due to the emitter follower Q1. Likewise in the Darlington configuration two diodes (D2, D3) are added to again partially cancel the two VBE drop of the Darlington follower.
Questions:
Add questions here:
- Fritzing files: zener_reg_bb
- LTSpice files: zener_reg_ltspice
For Further Reading
Zener Diodes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode
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university/courses/electronics/electronics-lab-26.1543310866.txt.gz · Last modified: 27 Nov 2018 10:27 by Antoniu Miclaus