DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

EXPERIMENT 6
VOLTAGE DIVIDER BIASING
1. OBJECTIVE
1.1
1.2

To analyze the voltage-divider bias circuit.

To construct the dc load line.

2. INTRODUCTION
The advantage of using voltage divider bias is that the base current is made small
compared to the currents through the two base (voltage divider) resistors. With this
property, transistor beta changes will no longer affect the base voltage and the collector
current.
2.1

Quiescent dc base voltage

VB

2.2

2.7

VB - VBE

(6.2)

VE
( IC IE for large )
RE

(6.3)

VCC - ICRC

(6.4)

Quiescent dc collector to emitter voltage

VCE

2.6

(6.1)

Quiescent collector voltage

VC

2.5

VCC

Quiescent dc collector (emitter) current

IC

2.4

R2

R1 R2

Quiescent dc emitter voltage

VE

2.3

VCC IC( RC + RE)

VC VE

(6.5)

Dc load line
IC(sat)

VCE(off)

VCC
(saturation)
RC RE
VCC (cutoff)

(6.6)

(6.7)

In general, make :

R1 || R2 RE

(6.8)

44

DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

3. COMPONENT AND EQUIPMENT

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5

Resistors (1 k (2), 4.7 k, 10 k)

10 k potentiometer
2N3904 NPN silicon transistors
DC power supply (0-15V)
Multimeter

4. PROCEDURE
4.1 Determination of VB, VE, VC and VCE:
4.1.1 Construct the voltage divider bias circuit shown in Figure 6.1.

+ 15 V

RC
1 k

R1
10 k

VC
VB

2N3940
VE

R2
4.7 k

RE
1 k

Figure 6.1: Schematic diagram of circuit

4.1.2

4.1.3

Calculate the expected values of the quiescent dc base voltage (VB),

emitter voltage (VE), collector voltage (VC), and collector emitter voltage
(VCE) using typical value for the base-emitter voltage of a silicon transistor
(0.7 V).
Record these values in Table 6.1.

4.2 Measuring of VB, VC, VE,VCE and IC using Multimeter:

4.2.1 At this point, wire the circuit shown in the schematic diagram in Figure
6.1.
4.2.2 Apply power to the breadboard.
(NOTE: The pin diagram for the 2N3904 is given in Figure 6.2)

45

DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

Figure 6.2: 2N3904 pin diagram

4.2.3
4.2.4

Take your multimeter and measure VB, VC, VE and VCE.

Record your results in Table 6.1 and make comparison between these
measured values with the expected voltages determined before.
(NOTE: Your results should agree within 10%)

4.2.5
4.2.6

Now measure the quiescent collector current and compare this value
with the expected value (Equation 6.3).
Record this value in Table 6.1.

4.3 Determination of DC Load Line:

4.3.1 Calculate the saturation and cutoff points on the dc load line for this
circuit using Equation 6.6 & 6.7.
4.3.2 Record these values in Table 6.2.
4.3.3 Then, plot the dc load line using the calculated values of IC(sat) and VCE(off)
as the endpoints of the load line.
4.3.4 On the same graph, plot the Q point based on the measured values of IC
and VCE.
(NOTE: You should find that the measured Q point lies essentially on the dc
load line)
4.4 Measuring voltage and current in cutoff condition:
4.4.1 By using the same transistor, disconnect power from the breadboard.
4.4.2 Replace resistors R1 and R2 with a 10 k potentiometer as shown in
Figure 6.3.

46

DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

+ 15 V

RC
1 k
VC
10 k

2N3940

VE
RE
1 k

Figure 6.3: Schematic diagram from Step 5

4.4.3
4.4.4
4.4.5
4.4.6
4.4.7

Now, connect the power to the breadboard.

Connect a multimeter between the transistors collector and emitter
terminals.
Then, slowly vary the 10 k potentiometer until VCE as read by the
multimeter reaches a maximum value, VCE(OFF).
Then measure the corresponding collector current, IC(OFF).
Record both values in Table 6.2.

4.5 Measuring voltage and current in saturation condition:

4.5.1 Carefully vary the resistance of the 10 k potentiometer until the
collector current reaches a maximum value while continuing to measure
the transistors collector current (IC).
(NOTE: This is the collector saturation current IC(sat).)
4.5.2
4.5.3

Now measure the corresponding collector emitter voltage VCE(sat).

Record the values for both IC(sat) and VCE(sat) in Table 6.2.

(NOTE: At saturation, VCE(sat) is ideally zero while at cutoff, IC(off) is zero.)

4.5.4

Now, plot the values for IC and VCE at cutoff and saturation on the graph
constructed in Step 3.

4.6 Measuring IC and VCE over the active region of the dc load line:
4.6.1 Now, vary the potentiometer so that you are able to measure about five
combinations of IC and VCE.
4.6.2 Record all values in Table 6.2.
4.6.3 Then plot these values on the graph.

47

DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

DMT 121/3 ELECTRONIC DEVICES

ASSESSMENT FORM

NAME: __________________________________________ MATRIX NO: __________________

COURSE: _____________________________________ EXPERIMENT NO: _______________

RESULTS:
Table 6.1: DC Values
Parameter

Measured Values

Expected

Transistor 1

Value

VB
VC
VE
VCE
IC

48

DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

Table 6.2: DC load line

Condition

Expected Values
IC

VCE

Cutoff (Step 5)

Saturation (Step 6)

Active Region
(Step 7)

49

Measured Values
IC

VCE

DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

CALCULATION

50

DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

DISCUSSION

RC

+ 12 V
Gnd

R1
Emitter
Base

R2

Collector

RE
Figure 6.4

A pnp transistor is used with voltage divider bias in the circuit shown above. Calculate
the dc parameters listed in below ( R1 10k, R2 56k, RC 2.7k, RE 1.5k ).
1. V B
2. V E

IE
4. VC
3.

5. VCE

51

DMT 121/3 Electronic Devices

Laboratory Module

CONCLUSION

52