Looking to Build a Zener Diode Voltage Tester.

I have a Bag of Zener Diodes, I would like to Test there Wking Voltage & Label
them for Future Use......

 

Find a voltage supply, calculate a resistor to allow about 20 ma, measure some zeners.

 

Quick and dirty solution:

 

That's how I test my unknown zeners too. Allen

 

If you have a supply that has a current limit control, then set the current to 20mA at it's maximum voltage setting and then you don't have to adjust the supply for any differences in the voltage of the zeners being tested.

 

I love the ckt, Very Simple to Build,,...

 

Hello,

You could also use a constant current source.
This page has a circuit given:
http://www.dddac.de/at05.htm

Put the zener on the output of the constant current source and measure the voltage accross the zener.

Bertus

 

Quick and dirty solution:

View attachment 111389

I agree with the variable voltage source. Start low and bring up the voltage until you reach 20 mA. (Monitor the voltage across the resistor to determine current.)
Track voltage across the Zener and current through it and compare that curve to other known Zener diodes. A good lesson here in that you can tweak the current through the diode to get a precise voltage.

 

Looking to Build a Zener Diode Voltage Tester.

I have a Bag of Zener Diodes, I would like to Test there Wking Voltage & Label
them for Future Use......

I would use an Octopus el cheapo curve tracer. Handiest tool in my ham shack.
http://www.jammarcade.net/simple-component-tester-a-k-a-octopus-curve-tracer/