Palestine Polytechnic University

College of Engineering
Electrical Engineering Department
Electronics Lab

Experiment #4
Voltage Regulators

Objectives

1. Acquire practical knowledge and experience in utilizing Zener diodes as voltage regulators.
2. Learn the construction of series and shunt regulators using BJT transistors.
3. Develop an understanding of line and load regulation concepts.
4. Construct and evaluate voltage regulator circuits, examining each circuit's performance in terms
of line and load regulation.
5. Explore the usage of the 78xx regulator family.

A. Zener as voltage regulator

Line Regulation

1.1 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 1. Adjust the input voltage source (𝑉𝐼𝑁) at 12 V.

Figure 1: Line regulation, Zener as voltage regulator.

1.2 Connect a voltmeter in parallel with load.

1.3 Turn ON the voltage source and measure the output voltage (𝑉𝑂) across the load (𝑅𝐿). Record the
result in table 1 as the reference voltage.

1.4 Vary VIN according to the table and measure the variation in 𝑉𝑂.

1.5 Using equation 1, compute the change in output voltage (𝛥𝑉𝑂) for each scenario.

𝛥𝑉𝑂 = 𝑉𝑂 − 𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 (1)

1.6 Plot the relation between 𝑉𝐼𝑁 and 𝑉𝑂 on a gridded paper.

Table 1: Line and load regulation for Zener regulator circuit.

Line Regulation Load Regulation

𝑅𝐿 = 1 𝐾Ω (𝑉) 𝑉𝐼𝑁 = 12𝑉

𝑉𝐼𝑁 (𝑉) 𝑉𝑂(𝑉) 𝛥𝑉𝑂 𝑅𝐿 = 𝑅𝐷 + 𝑅2 𝑉𝑂(𝑉) 𝛥𝑉𝑂

6 3 -2.08 200 4.528 -0.61

8 4 -1.08 300 5.119 -0.019

12 (𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ) 0 1k (𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ) 0
5.08 5.138
14 5.099 0.019 2k 5.143 0.005

16 5.11 0.03 5k 5.145 0.007

20 5.125 0.045 10K 5.146 0.008

Load Regulation
1.7 Readjust 𝑉𝐼𝑁 at 12V and connect the load according to the configuration shown in Figure 2. The load
resistance is determined by equation (2). 𝑅2 is utilized to offer protection against short circuits in the
event that 𝑅𝐷is accidentally adjusted at 0 Ω.

𝑅𝐿 = 𝑅2 + 𝑅𝐷 (2)

Figure 2: Load regulation, Zener as voltage regulator.

1.8 Adjust 𝑅𝐿 at 1𝐾Ω.

1.9 Turn ON the voltage source and measure 𝑉𝑂 across 𝑅𝐿. Record the result in table 1 as the reference
voltage.

1.10 Vary 𝑅𝐿 according to the table 1 and measure 𝑉𝑂 across 𝑅𝐿.

1.11 Using equation 1, compute the change in output voltage (𝛥𝑉𝑂) for each scenario.

1.12 Plot the relation between 𝑅𝐿 and 𝑉𝑂 on a gridded paper.

B. BJT transistor series regulator

Line Regulation
2.1 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 3. Adjust the input voltage source (𝑉𝐼𝑁) at 12 V.

Figure 3: Line regulation for BJT transistor series regulator.

2.2 Repeat the steps from 1.2 to 1.5. Record the results in table 2.

2.3 Plot the relation between 𝑉𝐼𝑁 and 𝑉𝑂 on a gridded paper.

Load Regulation
2.4 Readjust 𝑉𝐼𝑁 at 12V and connect the load according to the configuration shown in Figure 4. The load
resistance is determined by equation (2). 𝑅2 is utilized to offer protection against short circuits in the
event that 𝑅𝐷 is accidentally adjusted at 0 Ω.

Figure 4: Load regulation for BJT transistor series regulator.

2.5 Repeat the steps from 1.8 to 1.11. Record the results in table 2.

2.6 Plot the relation between 𝑅𝐿 and 𝑉𝑂 on a gridded paper.

 Table 2: Line and load regulation for series BJT transistor regulator.

Line Regulation Load Regulation

𝑅𝐿 = 1 𝐾Ω (𝑉) 𝑉𝐼𝑁 = 12𝑉

𝑉𝐼𝑁 (𝑉) 𝑉𝑂(𝑉) 𝛥𝑉𝑂 𝑅𝐿 = 𝑅𝐷 + 𝑅2 𝑉𝑂(𝑉) 𝛥𝑉𝑂

6 4.423 -0.058 200 4.435 -0.046

8 4.455 -0.026 300 4.447 -0.034

12 (𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ) 0 1k (𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ) 0
4.481 4.481
14 4.489 0.008 2k 4.499 0.018

16 4.496 0.015 5k 4.523 0.042

20 4.508 0.027 10K 4.541 0.060

C. BJT transistor shunt regulator

Line Regulation

3.1 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 5. Adjust the input voltage source (𝑉𝐼𝑁) at 12 V.

Figure 5: Line regulation for BJT transistor shunt regulator.

 3.2 Repeat the steps from 1.2 to 1.5. Record the results in table 3.

3.3 Plot the relation between 𝑉𝐼𝑁 and 𝑉𝑂 on a gridded paper.

Load Regulation
3.4 Readjust 𝑉𝐼𝑁 at 12V and connect the load according to the configuration shown in Figure 6. The
load resistance is determined by equation (2). 𝑅3 is utilized to offer protection against short
circuits in the event that 𝑅𝐷 is accidentally adjusted at 0 Ω.

Figure 6: Load regulation for BJT transistor shunt regulator.

 Table 3: Line and load regulation for shunt BJT transistor regulator.

Line Regulation Load Regulation

𝑅𝐿 = 1 𝐾Ω (𝑉) 𝑉𝐼𝑁 = 12𝑉

𝑉𝐼𝑁 (𝑉) 𝑉𝑂(𝑉) 𝛥𝑉𝑂 𝑅𝐿 = 𝑅𝐷 + 𝑅3 𝑉𝑂(𝑉) 𝛥𝑉𝑂

6 4.511 -1.272 200 4.528 -1.255

8 5.290 -0.493 300 5.279 -0.504

12 (𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ) 0 1k (𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ) 0
5.783 5.783
14 5.811 0.028 2k 5.799 0.016

16 5.826 0.043 5k 5.806 0.023

20 5.845 0.062 10K 5.808 0.025

D. 78XX Regulators

Line Regulation

4.1 Connect the circuit shown in Figure 7. Adjust the input voltage source (𝑉𝐼𝑁) at 10 V.

Figure 7: Line regulation for 7805 regulator.

 4.2 Repeat the steps from 1.2 to 1.5. Record the results in table 4.

4.3 Plot the relation between 𝑉𝐼𝑁 and 𝑉𝑂 on a gridded paper.

Load Regulation
4.4 Readjust 𝑉𝐼𝑁 at 10V and connect the load according to the configuration shown in Figure 8. The
load resistance is determined by equation (2). 𝑅2 is utilized to offer protection against short
circuits in the event that 𝑅𝐷 is accidentally adjusted at 0 Ω.

Figure 8: Load regulation for 7805 regulator.

Table 4: Line and load regulation for 7805 Regulator.

Line Regulation Load Regulation

𝑅𝐿 = 1 𝐾Ω (𝑉) 𝑉𝐼𝑁 = 10𝑉

𝑉𝐼𝑁 (𝑉) 𝑉𝑂(𝑉) 𝛥𝑉𝑂 𝑅𝐿 = 𝑅𝐷 + 𝑅3 𝑉𝑂(𝑉) 𝛥𝑉𝑂

6 4.485 -0.517 200 5.002 0

8 5.001 -0.001 300 5.002 0

10 (𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ) 0 1k (𝑉𝑂−𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ) 0
5.002 5.002
12 5.002 0 2k 5.002 0

14 5.002 0 5k 5.002 0

16 5.003 0.001 10K 5.002 0

Graphs:
Note: For Vin and Vo graphs: y-axis → Vo, x-axis → Vin
For RL and Vo graphs: y-axis → Vo, x-axis → RL
Table 1:
Line regulation.

Vin and Vo
Load regulation.

RL and Vo
Table 2:
Line regulation.

Vin and Vo
Load regulation.

RL and Vo
Table 3:
Line regulation.

Vin and Vo
Table 4:
Line regulation.

Vin and Vo

• CONCLUSION
After this experiment, we find that the series regulation is much better than
the shunt regulation because it is more stable when the load and the voltage
source was changed, also we find the transistor is work to balance the
decrease or increase in the current.