ELECTRONIC DEVICES & CIRCUITS LAB
Experiment-1
PN Junction diode characteristics A) Forward bias B) Reverse bias
AIM: 1. To plot Volt-Ampere Characteristics P-N Junction Diode.
APPARATUS:
S.No Name of the Apparatus Range Quantity
1 Diodes IN 4007 & Zener
(Ge and Si)diode (3.9V 1
2 Resistors 1KΩ, 100Ω 1
3 Regulated Power Supply (0-30)V DC 1
4 Bread Board 1
5 Digital Ammeter (0-200)μA/(0-200)mA 1
6 Digital Voltmeter (0-20)V DC 1
7 Connecting Wires As Required
THEORY:-
A p-n junction diode conducts only in one direction. The V-I characteristics of the diode
are curve between voltage across the diode and current through the diode. When external voltage
is zero, circuit is open and the potential barrier does not allow the current to flow. Therefore, the
circuit current is zero. When P-type (Anode is connected to +ve terminal and n- type (cathode) is
connected to –ve terminal of the supply voltage, is known as forward bias. The potential barrier is
reduced when diode is in the forward biased condition. At some forward voltage, the potential
barrier altogether eliminated and current starts flowing through the diode and also in the circuit.
The diode is said to be in ON state. The current increases with increasing forward voltage.
When N-type (cathode) is connected to +ve terminal and P-type (Anode) is
connected to –ve terminal of the supply voltage is known as reverse bias and the potential barrier
across the junction increases. Therefore, the junction resistance becomes very high and a very
small current (reverse saturation current) flows in the circuit. The diode is said to be in OFF state.
The reverse bias current due to minority charge carriers.
Dept. of ECE 1
ELECTRONIC DEVICES & CIRCUITS LAB
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:
(i) FORWARD BIAS:
(ii) REVERSE BIAS:
1K ohm
Dept. of ECE 2
ELECTRONIC DEVICES & CIRCUITS LAB
V-I CHARACTERISTICS:
PROCEDURE:
(i) FORWARD BIAS (For ‘Ge’ and ‘Si’ Diode):
1. Connections are made as per the circuit diagram.
2. For forward bias, the RPS +ve is connected to the anode of the diode and RPS –ve is
connected to the cathode of the diode,
3. Switch ON the power supply and increases the input voltage (supply voltage) in Steps.
4. Note down the corresponding current flowing through the diode and voltage across the diode
for each and every step of the input voltage.
5. The readings of voltage and current are tabulated.
6. Graph is plotted between voltage on x-axis and current on y-axis.
Dept. of ECE 3
ELECTRONIC DEVICES & CIRCUITS LAB
OBSERVATIONS:
Forward Bias:
S.No. Applied voltage Voltage across Current through Diode (mA)
(volts) Diode (volts)
PROCEDURE:
(ii) REVERSE BIAS :
1. Connections are made as per the circuit diagram.
Zener
2. For reverse bias, the RPS +ve is connected to the cathode of the^ diode and RPS –ve is
connected to the anode of the diode.
3. Switch ON the power supply and increase the input voltage (supply voltage) in Steps.
4. Note down the corresponding current flowing through the diode and voltage across the diode
for each and every step of the input voltage.
5. The readings of voltage and current are tabulated.
6. The Graph is plotted between voltage on x-axis and current on y-axis.
Dept. of ECE 4
ELECTRONIC DEVICES & CIRCUITS LAB
OBSERVATIONS:
REVERSE BIAS
S.No. Applied voltage Voltage across Current through Diode (µA)
m
(volts) Diode (volts)
PRECAUTIONS:
1. While doing the experiment do not exceed the ratings of the diode. This may lead to
damage the diode.
2. Connect voltmeter and Ammeter in correct polarities as shown in the circuit diagram.
3. Do not switch ON the power supply unless you have checked the circuit connections as per
the circuit diagram.
RESULT: The Forward and Reverse Bias characteristics for a p-n diode are observed
Dept. of ECE 5
