UNESCO-NIGERIA TECHNICAL &

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
REVITALISATION PROJECT-PHASE II

NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN
SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

ELECTRONICS
STP 211

YEAR 1: SEMESTER 2
PRACTICAL

Version 1: December 2008

 TABLE OF CONTENT

WEEK 1: SILICON P-N JUNCTION DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

WEEK 2: GERMANIUM P-N JUNCTION DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

WEEK 3: HALFWAVE RECTIFICATION

WEEK 4: TWO DIODE FULL WAVE RECTIFIER

WEEK 5: FULL WAVE BRIDGE RECTIFIER

WEEK 6: FILTER CIRCUITS

WEEK 7: THE ZENER DIODE SHUNT VOLTAGE STABILISER

WEEK 8: TRANSISTOR INPUT CHARACTERISTIC

WEEK 9: TRANSISTOR CURRENT TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC

WEEK10: TRANSISTOR VOLTAGE TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC.

WEEK 11: CALCULATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM

TRANSISTOR CHARACTERISTICS

WEEK 12: THE VOLTAGE TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC

WEEK 13: CALCULATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS

WEEK 14: DETERMINATION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRIODE

WEEK 15: DETERMINATION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRIODE

.
WEEK 1: SILICON P-N JUNCTION DIODE CHARACTERISTICS
Objectives
Record the forward and reverse bias characteristics of a silicon P-N junction diode.

Equipment
Vero board, silicon diode, S00Lwirewound resistor, 2 AVOs, PSU.

Practical
Connect the circuit exactly as shown (this is to ensure that the voltmeter does riot record
the additional voltage drop across the ammeter).

Increase the PSU voltage slowly from 0 to 25V and complete the following table:
Table 1

With the diode in this configuration the anode is _________ ive and the cathode is
________ ive. The diode is ________biased.

Reconnect the circuit as shown (to ensure that the ammeter does not record the current
taken by the voltmeter).

Take readings at 5V intervals and record the current flowing in table 2.

Table 2
Volts diode 5 10 15 20
I diode A
With the diode in this configuration the anode is _______ ve and the cathpde is
_________ ve. The diode is ________ biased.

Plot the diode characteristics:

ID (mA)
FORWARD
50

40

30

20

VD (V) REVERSE BIAS 10

20 10

0.5 1.0
10
FORWARD BIAS VD (V)
ID (A)
REVERSE
WEEK 2: GERMANIUM P-N JUNCTION DIODE
CHARACTERISTICS
Objectives
Record the forward and reverse bias characteristics of a silicon P-N junction diode.

Equipment
Vero board, silicon diode, S00Lwirewound resistor, 2 AVOs, PSU.

Practical
Connect the circuit exactly as shown (this is to ensure that the voltmeter does riot record
the additional voltage drop across the ammeter).

Increase the PSU voltage slowly from 0 to 25V and complete the following table:
Table 1

With the diode in this configuration the anode is _________ ive and the cathode is
________ ive. The diode is ________biased.

Reconnect the circuit as shown (to ensure that the ammeter does not record the current
taken by the voltmeter).

Take readings at 5V intervals and record the current flowing in table 2.

Table 2
Volts diode 5 10 15 20
I diode A
With the diode in this configuration the anode is _______ ve and the cathpde is
_________ ve. The diode is ________ biased.

Plot the diode characteristics:

WEEK 3: HALFWAVE RECTIFICATION

Objective
Observe the output characteristics of single diode half wave rectifier circuit:

NOTES
a. Use the AVO to measure the output troni the PSU.
b. Make sure the oscilloscope is calibrated before use.
c. CAUTION: INCORRECT CONNECTION MAY DESTROY THE DIODES.
Carefully check your circuit before applying power.

Equipment
Locktronics board, 1 diode, 2 AVO’s, oscilloscope, PSU, centre- tapped transformer, 1K
resistor.

Practical
Connect the circuit as shown. Adjust the PSU for 12V ac (check with AVO).

Display V0 on the oscilloscope arid sketch the waveform below:

V0

bv

30 40 T m secs
10 20
From the oscilloscope measure the value of:
a. V0 (peak) = __________________
b. Frequency = ___________________ Hz.
Calculate V0 (average) = __________ x V0 (peak) = ____________

Measure: V0 (average) using the AVO:

(Set AVO to DC)
WEEK 4 : FULL WAVE RECTIFICATION

Objective:

Observe the output characteristics of

a. Two diode full wave rectifier.
b. The bridge diode.

Two Diode Full waves Rectifier: Connect the circuit as shown:

Display V0 on the oscilloscope and sketch the waveform below:

V0

6V

30 40 T m secs
10 20

From the oscilloscope measure the value of:

a. V0 (peak) = __________________
b. Frequency = ___________________ Hz.

What relationship exists between the input frequency and the output frequency?

Calculate the value of:

(a) V0 (average) = __________ x V0 (peak) = ____________

Measure the value of V0 (average) using the AVO:

V0 (average) = ___________
(Set AVO to DC)
WEEK 5: BRIDGE RECTIFIER.

connect the circuit as shown:

Display V0 on the oscilloscope and sketch the waveform below:

V0

6V

30 40 T m secs
10 20

From the oscilloscope measure the value of:

a. V0 (peak) = __________
b. Frequency = __________ Hz.

Calculate the value of Vo (average) = ___________

Measure the value of Vo (average) using the AVO
(Set AVO to DC)
Vo (average) = ___________

CONCLUSION
What is the main advantage of using the bridge rectifier as compared to the two diode
rectifier?
In which of the circuits is the frequency of the output voltage ripple double that of the
input voltage frequency?

Comment on any differences between the calculated and measured values of Vo

(average) for each of the rectifier circuits.
WEEK 6: FILTER CIRCUITS

Objective
Observe the effect of an RC filter upon the output of a bridge rectifier with reservoir
capacitor.

Equipment
Vero board, 4 diodes, 2 x 100F capacitors, 10K resistor, 1K resistor oscilloscope, 2
AVO’s, oscillator, PSU.

Connect the circuit as shown (Check the output of the PSU with an AVO):

DC Average Values
Measure V1 and V0 with the AVO (30V dc fsd):
V1 = ____________; Vo = __________

AC Ripple (pk - pk)

Measure V1 and V0 pk – pk with the oscilloscope:
V1 = ____________; Vo = __________

Repeat the experiment using a 10H 510R choke in place of the lK resistor.

Conclusion
What is the effect of using the choke on the AC ripple.
What is the effect of using the choke on the DC voltage.
WEEK 7

TITLE: ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

AIM: TO DETERMINE THE FORWARD CHARACTERISTICS OF A ZENER DIODE

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
Variable power supply (range: 0 – 15V), zener diode, potentiometer 2 kilo ohms, resistor of say
470, 0 – 10V, d.c. voltmeter, 0 – 50mA meter d.c., connecting wires.

PROCEDURE
Connect the circuit as shown in figure ……… keeping the power supply at 4V and the range of
the voltmeter at 5V, maximum. Measure and as shown in table ……….. the forward current If in
the diode at each level of applied voltage Vf.

VF 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.62 0.64 0.65

(volts)
IF (mA)

Switch off the power supply.

Using the results obtained as indicated in table …………., plot the forward voltage ampere
characteristic curve.

Give two precautions you have taken to obtain accurate result in the experiment.
 WEEK 8
TITLE: ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTIC
AIM: TO DETERMINE THE REVERSE CHARACTERISTIC OF A ZENER
DIODE

MATERIAL REQUIRED
Variable power supply (range: 0 – 15V), zener diode, potentiometer 2 kilo ohms, resistor
of say 470, 0 – 10V, d.c. voltmeter, 0 – 50mA meter d.c., connecting wires.

PROCEDURE
Connect the circuit as shown in figure…, keeping the power supply at 10V and the range
of the voltmeter at 10V maximum. Measure and record as shown in table….. the reverse
current IR in the diode at each level of applied voltage VR.

VF (volts) 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9

IR (mA)

Switch off the power supply.

Using the result obtained as in table……, plot the reverse voltage ampere characteristics
curve
WEEK 9: THE ZENER DIODE SHUNT VOLTAGE STABILISER
Objective
To observe the effect of variations in supply voltage on the output voltage of a Zener
Diode Voltage Stabiliser.

Practical
Make the following circuit (Note that the Zener Diode is reverse biased).

Increase the PSU voltage from 4V to 20V and complete the following table:

PSU Voltage 4 8 10 12 16 20
Output Voltage

As the input voltage changed from 4V to 12V the output voltage ________________

Make the following circuit.

Increase the load current by adjusting the 5K variable resistance note the output voltage
each time and complete the followi table:

ILoad mA 2 4 6 8 10 12
V Output V

As the load current is increased the output voltage_________________

Conclusion
How does a large increase in input voltage affect the output voltage of the Zener Diode
shunt voltage stabiliser.

How does the output voltage of the Zener Diode shunt voltage stabiliser change as the
load current increases.
WEEK 10: TRANSISTOR CHARACTERISTICS

Aims: a. To determine the input characteristic of a common emitter

connected
transistor.
1. The input characteristic
2. The current transfer characteristic
3. The voltage transfer characteristic.
b. To calculate Input Impedance, Current Gain and Voltage Gain
from the characteristics obtained.

The input characteristic

Make the circuit shown:

By varying the output from the Farnell P.S.U.(i) adjust VBE to produce the conditions
shown in the table below. Use of the ‘fine’ voltage control is recommended for this
purpose.

In the space labelled ‘lift off’ enter the value of VBE at which Ib first begins to flow.
Ib A Lift 1 2 4 6 8 12 16
off
VBE volts 0.2 0.4
WEEK 11: TO DETERMINE THE CURRENT TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC
OF A COMMON EMITTER CONNECTED BI- POLAR TRANSISTOR.

The current transfer characteristic

Alter the circuit in the one for week 8

By varying the output from the Farnell L 30 P.S.U. (1) adjust Ib to the values shown in
the table below. Use of the ‘fine’ voltage control is recommended for this purpose.

Ib A 1 2 4 6 8 10 12 16 20
IC mA
WEEK 12: THE VOLTAGE TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC

Alter the circuit in the one for week 8:

By varying the output from the Farnell. L 30 P.S.U. (i) adjust VBE to produce the
conditions shown in the table below and record the corresponding values of VCE or VBE
as required. Use of the ’fine’ voltage control is recommended for this purpose.

VCE volts 11 10 8 5 3 0.2 0.1

VBE volts 0.4 0.5
WEEK 13: CALCULATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
From the results obtained in weeks 8, 9 and 10, draw graphs of:
a. Ib against VBE
b. Ic against Ib
c. VCE against VBE

From graph (a):

Identify the value of VBE at ‘lift off’. VBE = ______volts.
Calculate the transistor init impedance over the linear portion of the characteristic.

VBE
Zin   ___________  _______ ohms
I b

From graph (b)

Identify the maximum current limit of Ic. Ic = ______ mA.
Calculate the value of VCE under maximum current conditions.
VCE = _______ volts
Calculate the current gain over the operational range of the amplifier.

I C
AI  = __________ = __________
I b

From graph (c) :

Identify the operational range of the amplifier in terms of VBE. Operational range
is from ______ to ______volts
Identify the non-conducting range of the amplifier in terms of VBE.
Non-conducting range is from ______to ______volts
Calculate the voltage gain over the operational range of the amplifier.

VCE
AV  = _____________
VBE
WEEK 14
DETERMINATION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRIODE
Aim: To determine the mutual characteristics of a triode

Apparatus:
Triode valve, with directly or indirectly heated cathode, heat supply batteries (e.g
9-volt battery for the cathode and grid), two high-resistance rheostats, R1, R2 to
serve as potential dividers across high tension supply and grid voltage supply
respectively, voltmeters, VA of range 0 – 200 volt, and VG of range 0 – 20 volt,
milliammeter of range 0 – 25mA to measure anode current IA.

Procedure
Fix the anode voltage at some suitable value (say 80 volt) and determine the values
of the anode current as the grid voltages are varied in steps of say 2 volts, from the
negative cut-off value through zero to positive values (reverse the grid voltage).
Repeat the IA/VG readings for a series of values of VA increasing in steps of say 20
volts.
Draw the table and write the values obtained following the format given in table….

Values (in mA) of IA for:

VG VA = 80V VA = 100V VA = 120V VA = 140V

Plot the graph of IA versus VG.

From the graph, determine the mutual conductance (gm) of the given triode by
calculating the slope of the characteristics. From the graph also, determine the
amplification factor (µ) of the value using
µ = VA
VG
Give two precautions you have taken to ensure accurate result in this experiment
WEEK 15
TITLE: Determination of the Characteristics of a Triode
AIM: To determine the anode a.c. resistance of a triode

Apparatus:
Triode valve, with directly or indirectly heated cathode, heat supply batteries (e.g
9-volt battery for the cathode and grid), two high-resistance rheostats, R1, R2 to
serve as potential dividers across high tension supply and grid voltage supply
respectively, voltmeters, VA of range 0 – 200 volt, and VG of range 0 – 20 volt,
milliammeter of range 0 – 25mA to measure anode current IA.

Procedure
Connect up the circuit as shown in figure ….. Fix the grid potential and determine
the values of the anode current as the anode voltage is varied in staps. Repeat for
other values of the grid potential VG. Draw the table and fix the values as shown in
table ………….
VA Values (in mA) of IA for:
VG = 0 VG = -2 VG = -4 VG = -6 VG = -8V
Plot the graph of IA versus VA.
From the graph determine, the anode a.c. resistance (RA) of the given triode at VG
= -2V by calculating the slope of the characteristics.

Give two precautions you have taken to ensure accurate result in this experiment.