OBJECTIVES

After the experiment, the student should be able to:

1. Test a zener regulator circuit
2. Compute line and load regulator circuit
3. Analyze the operation and characteristics of power supply filters and
regulator.
BASIC INFORMATION
When a sufficiently large reverse bias voltage is applied to a zener diode, the
reverse current will suddenly increase. This sudden increase happens at a voltage
called zener voltage. A zener diode is special diode designed to operate in this
breakdown region.
The zener voltage is a precise voltage that varies according to the type of
zener; typically it is few volts but can be as much as several hundred volts. Zeners
are used in applications that require a constant voltage such voltage regulators and
in certain meters where they are used as a reference voltage as comparison.
While filters can reduce the ripple from power supplies to a low value, the
most effective approach is a combination of a capacitor-input filter used with an
integrated circuit (IC) voltage regulator.
An integrated circuit voltage regulator is connected to the output of a filtered
rectifier and maintains a constant output voltage (or current) despite changes in the
input, the load current, or the temperature. The capacitor-input filter reduces the
input ripple to the regulator to an acceptable level. The combination of a large
capacitor and an IC regulator is an expensive and helps produce an excellent small
power supply.
The most popular IC regulators have three terminalsan input terminal, an
output terminal, and a reference (or adjust) terminal. The input to the regulator is
first filtered with a capacitor to reduce the ripple to <10%. The regulator reduces to
ripple to a negligible amount. In addition, most regulators have an internal voltage
reference; short-circuit protection, and thermal shutdown circuitry. They are
available in a variety of voltages, including positive and negative outputs, and can
be designed for variable outputs with a minimum of external components.
Typically, IC regulators can furnish a constant output of one or more amps of
current with high ripple rejection. IC regulators are available that can supply load
current of over 5 A.
Three-terminal regulators designed for a fixed output voltage require only
external capacitors to complete the regulation portion of the power supply, as shown
in Figure below. Filtering is accomplished by a large-value capacitor between the
input voltage and ground. Sometimes a second smaller-value input capacitor is
connected in parallel, especially if the filter capacitor is not close to the IC, to
prevent oscillation.
Type Number Output Voltage
7805 +5.0V
7806 +6.0V
7808 +8.0V
7809 +9.0V
7812 +12.0V
7815 +15.0V
7818 +18.0V
7824 +24.0V
MATERIALS NEEDED:
1 220 , 2.2K , 1K potentiometer
2 12 volts center tapped transformer
1 1N4733 5 volts zener (or equivalent)
1 7805 and LM317
1 Bridge type rectifier diode
2 1000F and 1F
1 DC Power Supply
1 Oscilloscope
1 VOM
Connecting wires
PART I. ZENER DIODE
1. Set up the circuit shown in Figure 1. Set the supply Vs to each voltage
listed in table 1 and measure the output voltage and compute the parameters
listed in table 1.
Figure 1
Table 1
Vs
Vout
(Measured)
I
L
(Computed)
V
R1
(Computed)
I
s
(Computed)
I
z
(Computed)
2V 2.213 V 0.292 V 10.12 mA
4V 4.354 V 0.313 V 19.92 mA
6V 5.421 V 0.292 V 25.8 mA
8V 8.143 V 2.869 V 37.25 mA
10V 9.547 V 3.904 V 42.67 mA
2. What happens to the zener current after the breakdown voltage is reached?
AFTER THE BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE IS REACHED, THE
ZENER CURRENT INCREASES VERY RAPIDLY WITH A SLIGHT
INCREASE IN THE REVERSE VOLTAGE._____________________
3. Set up the circuit shown in Figure 2. Set the supply Vs to a fixed +12V
output and adjust the potentiometer R
L
to maximum resistance.
Figure 2
4. Measure the output voltage Vout and record the voltage in Table 2.
Compute the other parameter listed in the table.
5. Set the potentiometer to each value listed in table 2 and repeat procedure
5.
Table 2
R
L
Vout
(Measured)
I
L
(Computed)
V
R1
(Computed)
I
s
(Computed)
I
z
(Computed)
1K 1.625 V 0.75 mA 0.93 mA 0.18 mA
750 3.28 V 1.5 mA 1.65 mA 0.15 mA
500 4.52 V 2.07 mA 2.68 mA 0.61 mA
250 4.5 V 2.06 mA 3.55 mA 1.49 mA
100 4.88 V 2.24 mA 4.36 mA 2.12 mA
PART II. 78XX SERIES IC REGULATOR
1. Set up the circuit shown in Figure 3. Set the secondary voltage Vs to each
voltage listed in Table 3 and measure the output voltage and record it in
Table 3.
Figure 3
Table 3
Vs Vout
(Measured)
3V 1.603 V
4.5V
6V
9V
2. What happens to the output voltage after the reference voltage is reached?
AFTER THE REFERENCE VOLTAGE IS REACHED, THE
OUTPUT VOLTAGE GOES DOWN BECAUSE OF ITS OWN
INTERNAL RESISTANCE ._________________________________
PART III. LM317 IC REGULATOR
1. Set up the circuit shown in Figure 4. Set the supply Vs to a fixed +12V
output and adjust the potentiometer R
2
to maximum resistance.
Figure 4
2. Set the potentiometer to each value listed in Table 4 and record the output
voltage.
Table 4
3. What happens to the output voltage when R
2
is maximum? Minimum?
WHEN R2 IS MAXIMUM, THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE INCREASES,
WHILE WHEN R2 IS MINIMUM, THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE
DECREASES. __________________________________________
INSTRUCTORS INITIAL: ENGR. M. B. AUSTRIA
DATE: AUGUST 20, 201
EVALUATION AND QUESTIONS
1. What advantages are offered by a three terminal regulator?
R
L
Vout
(Measured)
1K 3.5 V
750
500
250
0
2. What is the difference between input (line) regulation and load
regulation?
3. In what region of their characteristic curve are zener diodes
operated?
4. How does the zener impedance affect the voltage across the
terminals of the diode?