What is Zener diode?
A Zener diode is a silicon semiconductor device that permits current to flow in either a forward or reverse direction. The diode consists of a special, heavily doped p-n junction, designed to conduct in the reverse direction when a certain specified voltage is reached.
Why Zener diode is used as a voltage regulator?
The Zener diode is often in use as a voltage regulator, primarily because the voltage drop across the diode is constant. Furthermore, the supply voltage must exceed the Zener voltage for the circuit to operate. Thereby, any electronic component connected in parallel with these diodes will have the same applied voltage.
What are the types of Zener diode?
The principle behind the operation of a Zener diode is determined by the cause of the diode’s breakdown in the reverse bias condition. There are typically two types – Zener and avalanche.
What is the properties of Zener diode?
Zener diodes are heavily doped than ordinary diodes. They have extra thin depletion region. When we apply a voltage more than the Zener breakdown voltage (can range from 1.2 volts to 200 volts), the depletion region vanishes, and large current starts to flow through the junction.
What is VI characteristics of Zener diode?
V-I characteristics of Zener diode initially a small reverse saturation current Io flows across the diode. As the reverse voltage is increased, at a certain value of reverse voltage, the junction will be breakdown and drastically a large reverse current flow through the device. This breakdown is called Zener breakdown.
What is Zener diode made of?
The true Zener diodes, which have the same properties as avalanche diodes and are used in the same applications, rely on the Zener effect. The diode is made from heavily doped silicon, so that the depletion layer is very thin.
What is the principal characteristic of a Zener diode?
What is the principal characteristic of a Zener diode? Zener diodes maintain a constant voltage across a range of currents. The Varactor (or Varicap) is a diode used under reverse bias as a “voltage-variable capacitor”.
What are the parameters of Zener diode?
Example Zener diode datasheet characteristics
| Typical BZY88 Zener Diode Characteristics / Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characteristic | Typical Value | Details |
| DC Power dissipation | 400 | @ Tl = 50°C: de-rate above 50°C 3.2 mW / °C |
| Junction temperature | -65 to +175 | |
| Voltage Vz @ 5mA | 4.8 min 5.1 typ 5.4 max |
What is the special property of a Zener diode?
The person named Clearance Zener invented this property of the diode that’s why it is named after him as a remembrance. The special property of the diode is that there will be a breakdown in the circuit if the voltage applied across a reversely biased circuit. This does not allow the current to flow across it.
What is another name for a Zener diode?
avalanche diode
Another name for the zener diode is avalanche diode. This name is applied because the zener diode usually operates in reverse breakdown.
What is Zener voltage called?
Voltage regulator diodes actively use this characteristic. Since this breakdown voltage is also called Zener voltage, voltage regulator diodes are also called Zener diodes. This voltage may be used as a constant voltage power supply or a reference voltage for electronic circuits.
What is working principle of Zener diode?
A Zener diode operates just like a normal diode when it is forward-biased. However, a small leakage current flows through the diode when connected in reverse biased mode. As the reverse voltage increases to the predetermined breakdown voltage (Vz), current starts flowing through the diode.
How does Zener diode work?
Breakdown of a diode happens when you apply a reverse bias voltage across the diode. A Zener diode operating in breakdown acts as a voltage regulator because it maintains a nearly constant voltage, which is equal to the Zener voltage, across its terminals over a specified range of reverse-current values.
What is specification of Zener diode?
Zener Diode Specifications: Zener/Breakdown Voltage – The Zener or the opposite breakdown voltage goes from 2.4 V to 200 V, at times it can go up to 1 kV while the greatest for the surface-mounted gadget is 47 V. Current Iz (max) – It is the greatest current at the evaluated Zener Voltage (Vz – 200μA to 200 A)
What is the working principle of Zener diode?
What are the advantages of using Zener diode?
Advantages of Zener Diodes
- Less expensive than other diodes.
- Ability to shift voltage.
- Easily compatible and obtainable across systems.
- High-performance standard.
- Protection from over-voltage.
- Ability to regulate and stabilize circuit voltage.
- Greater control overflowing current.
- Usable in smaller circuits.