PHYSICAClass 12 Physics simulations · Semiconductor Electronics
Zener voltage regulator
Vary the input and load, and discover when a reverse-biased Zener diode can hold the output steady.
What to notice
Regulation holds only while the series resistor supplies enough current for both the load and the Zener.
Key relation
Iseries = Iload + IZ
Try this
Use the dropout preset, then reduce the series resistance.
What you can change
- Input voltage: 6 to 18 V
- Series resistance: 100 to 1000 Ω
- Load resistance: 500 to 3000 Ω
- Zener voltage: choose 3.3 V, 5.1 V, 6.8 V
More in Semiconductor Electronics
- Electrons and holes in doped silicon
- P–N junction diode
- Diode I–V characteristic
- LED colour and band gap
- Logic gates
- Half-wave rectifier
- Rectifier with a smoothing capacitor
- Solar cell: I–V curve and maximum power
- Transistor as a switch
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