Latest revision as of 02:37, 29 October 2010

The Zener Diode

[math]I_{Zmax}[/math]

Construct the circuit below making sure the zener diode is oriented correctly.
Choose a resister [math]R[/math] which will allow you to cover the range [math]I_Z \approx 1 mA[/math] and for the voltage range of your power supply.
use a a digital multimeter to measure [math]V_z[/math] for several values of [math]I_z[/math].

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 The Zener Diode
-=I_{Zmax}=
+=<math>I_{Zmax}</math>=
 #Construct the circuit below making sure the zener diode is oriented correctly.
-#Choose <math>V_1</math> and <math>R</math> so <math>I_Z \approx 1 mA</math> and I_Z
+#Choose a resister <math>R</math> which will allow you to  cover the range <math>I_Z \approx 1 mA</math> and <math>I_Z\approx \frac{1}{2} I_{Z max}</math> for the voltage range of your power supply.
+#use a a digital multimeter to measure <math>V_z</math> for several values of <math>I_z</math>.
 =Zener Voltage Regulator=
+#Add a Zener diode to an unregulated power supply as shown below
+#Use a value for <math>R</math> to have <math>I_L \approx 20</math> mA
+#Measure <math>V_Z</math> for <math>I_L</math> = 1, 10, and 20 mA
+#Tabulate your data and include the ripple.
+=Questions=
+#Derive <math>I_L= \frac{V_a-V_Z}{R}-I_Z</math>
+#What happens if <math>R_L \rightarrow 0</math>.
 [[Forest_Electronic_Instrumentation_and_Measurement]]