Dr.

Mark Andrews Microelectronic Circuits ELECTENG207

Problem Set
Zener Diodes

The model of a Zener diode is shown below. When forward biased (A more positive than K) the
Zener acts like an ideal diode
IDEAL
D . When reverse biased (K more positive than A) the Zener is
modelled as an ideal voltage source
Z
V in series with the resistance
Z
R .
D
K
A A
K
D
IDEAL
V
Z
R
Z


Question 1
For the circuit shown below calculate the Zener diode current
Z
I and the circuit output voltage
OUT
V assuming (a) 0 =
Z
R and (b) = 20
Z
R .
R
S
D V
OUT
V
IN
I
Z

V 12 =
IN
V
= 320
S
R
mA 5
) (
=
MIN Z
I
V 2 . 8 =
Z
V

Question 2
The circuit in Question 1 is connected to an unregulated voltage source
S
V that varies between
10.0 V and 20.0 V. Calculate the corresponding variation in output voltage assuming (a) = 0
Z
R
and (b) = 20
Z
R .

Question 3
The circuit below shows a simple Zener regulator with a permanently connected load
L
R .
Calculate the Zener diode current
Z
I and the circuit output voltage
OUT
V assuming (a) 0 =
Z
R and
(b) = 20
Z
R .
R
S
D
V
OUT
V
IN
I
Z
R
L

V 12 =
IN
V
= 75
S
R
mA 5
) (
=
MIN Z
I
V 2 . 8 =
Z
V
= 250
L
R
Dr. Mark Andrews Microelectronic Circuits ELECTENG207

Question 4
Design a Zener regulator to supply 8.2 V to a constant, permanently connected, 50 load. The
input to the circuit is an unregulated DC supply in the range 15.0 V to 24.0 V. Assume that the
Zener diode needs 5 mA to ensure operation and = 0
Z
R .

Notes:
1. The Zener diode must have 5 mA flowing through it at ALL times for the circuit to function
correctly.
2. You need to calculate the value and power rating of the source resistor together with the
power rating of the Zener diode.)

Question 5
With reference to your design in Question 4, calculate the power dissipated in the Zener diode if
the load is accidentally disconnected. Is this a problem?

Dr. Mark Andrews Microelectronic Circuits ELECTENG207
Outline Solutions

Question 1
(b) Sum the voltages around the loop to get

OUT
V
Z Z Z S Z IN
V R I R I V + + = .
Thus mA 176 . 11 =
+

=
Z S
Z IN
Z
R R
V V
I and V 424 . 8 = + =
Z Z Z OUT
V R I V .

Question 2
(b) V 0 . 10
) (
=
MIN S
V and V 0 . 20
) (
=
MAX S
V . Using the results of Question 1 we get
mA 294 . 5
) (
) (
=
+

=
Z S
Z MIN S
MIN Z
R R
V V
I giving V 306 . 8
) ( ) (
= + =
Z Z MIN Z MIN OUT
V R I V . Similarly,
V 894 . 8
) (
=
MAX OUT
V . The variation in the output is V 306 8 894 8 . . or V 588 . 0 or % 1 . 7 Note
that the input variation is V 0 . 10 or % 0 . 100 .

Question 3
(b) Replace the Zener diode with its equivalent circuit:
R
S
V
IN
V
OUT
V
Z
R
Z
R
L
N

Sum the currents leaving the node N to get 0 = +

L
OUT
Z
Z OUT
S
IN OUT
R
V
R
V V
R
V V
. Now solve for the
output voltage V 465 . 8
1 1 1
=
+ +
+
=
L Z S
Z
Z
S
IN
R R R
R
V
R
V
OUT
V . The Zener current is mA 267 . 13 =

=
Z
Z OUT
Z
R
V V
I .