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Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to study the performance and characteristic of full-wave
rectifiers and DC power supplies utilizing Zener diode as a voltage stabilizing device. The
performance of the full-wave rectifier will be studied and measured as well as that of the
Zener diode.
Introduction:
One of the important applications of the P-N junction diodes is in converting alternating
current (AC) into direct current (DC). Half-wave rectifiers can be used, but they are highly
inefficient in converting AC power to DC power. Additionally they have high contents of
harmonics, which are difficult to filter out and to smooth out the ripple in the rectified AC
power. On the other hand, full-wave rectifier improves on the conversion efficiency of AC
power to DC power. It will also reduce the harmonic contents of the rectified waveform and
reduce the requirement on the smoothing filter needed to reduce the ripple in the rectified
waveform. A typical waveform of a full-wave rectifier is shown in Fig. 1.
Zener diodes are special diodes designed to maintain fixed voltages across the load. They are
designed to "breakdown" in a reliable and non-destructive way when they are biased in the
reverse direction by a voltage higher than the breakdown voltage. A typical DC characteristic
of the Zener diode is as shown in Fig. 2. The knee in the reverse bias region in Fig. 2 is the
"break down voltage" of the Zener diode. However, this voltage is also known as the Zener
voltage.
Zener diodes are rated by their breakdown voltage and maximum power. The minimum Zener
voltage available is 2.7 V while power ratings of 400 mW and 1.3 W are common.
The connection diagram of the Zener diode as a basic voltage regulation circuit is as shown in
Fig. 3.
A complete and stabilized power supply can be obtained by using the rectifier diodes to
change the AC power to DC power. The rectified voltage is filtered to reduce the ripple on the
rectified waveform. A Zener diode is then used to regulate the voltage to its desired final
value. A simple block diagram of a power supply is as shown in Fig. 4.
In this block diagram, each individual block is described in more detail below:
Diode rectifier: converts AC to DC, but the DC output has large ripple component.
Filter: smooth the DC from varying greatly and reduces the ripple component.
Lab work:
4.1 Consider the DC power supply circuit shown in Fig. 8. Using the previously measured
rectified DC voltage, and Zener voltage, calculate the minimum value of Rs required to
protected the Zener diode under the condition when the load is an open circuit (this is the
worst case condition). The Zener diode is rated at 400 mW, and the minimum Zener
current is 5mA. Discuss the result with the lab instructor before using it in the
experiment.
4.2 Connect the circuit shown in Fig. 8 and use the value of Rs calculated in 4.1. Monitor the
voltage across the load using an oscilloscope. Measure the voltage across RL and the
voltage across Rs. Calculate the current passing through the Zener diode.
4.3 Disconnect RL and measure the voltage and current across the Zener diode.
Results and Discussions:
- In addition to the questions posted in the lab procedure, do and answer the
following;
- Plot the V-I characteristic the Zener diode.
- What is the value of the forward resistance of the Zener diode?
- What is the Zener voltage?