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Zener Diode

The document discusses the history and properties of Zener diodes, including how they allow current to flow in both the forward and reverse directions above a breakdown voltage. It describes basic Zener diode circuits and characteristics, and covers common applications such as voltage regulation and protection circuits.

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umar03029452584
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40 views15 pages

Zener Diode

The document discusses the history and properties of Zener diodes, including how they allow current to flow in both the forward and reverse directions above a breakdown voltage. It describes basic Zener diode circuits and characteristics, and covers common applications such as voltage regulation and protection circuits.

Uploaded by

umar03029452584
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Topic:

Zener Diode
and its
applications
Zener Diode - History
⚫ Clarence Melvin Zener (December 1, 1905 – July 2, 1993)
was the American physicist who first described the
property concerning the breakdown of electrical
insulators. These findings were later exploited by Bell
Labs in the development of the Zener diode, which was
duly named after him
Zener Diode
⚫ A Zener diode is a type of diode that permits
current not only in the forward direction like a
normal diode, but also in the reverse direction if
the voltage is larger than the breakdown voltage
known as “Zener knee voltage” or “Zener voltage”
⚫ The arrowhead on a Zener diode symbol points in
the direction of forward current when the diode is
forward biased.
⚫ The Zener diode is normally operated in reverse
breakdown and the current direction is then from
anode to cathode
Zener Diode - Circuit
⚫ The most basic Zener diode circuit consist of a single
Zener diode and a resister.
⚫ The Zener diode provides the reference voltage, but a
series resistor must be in place to limit the current into
the diode otherwise a large amount of current would
flow through it and it could be destroyed.

⚫ The value of resistor calculated


to give required value of current
for supply voltage used.
Zener Diode – Forward bias
⚫ When a Zener diode is forward biased, it operates as a
normal diode.
⚫ In forward biased P side connected to +ve and N side
connected to –ve terminal of battery. In this case the
electrons and holes are swept across the junction an large
current flow through it.
Zener Diode – Reverse biased
⚫ In case of reverse biased current practically zero
and at certain voltage which called Zener voltage
the current increases sharply.
⚫ Each Zener diode has breakdown rating which
specifies the max voltage that can be dropped
across it.
Zener Diode - Characteristics
⚫ The figure shows, the forward characteristics is
same as that of ordinary forward biased junction
diode.
Zener Diode - Characteristics
⚫ In reverse direction however there is a very small leakage
current between 0V an the Zener voltage –i.e. tiny amount
of current is able to flow.
⚫ Then, when the voltage reaches the breakdown voltage
(VZ), suddenly current flow through it.
⚫ Notice that as the reverse voltage is increased the leakage
current remains essentially constant until the breakdown
voltage is reached where the current increases dramatically.
Zener breakdown
⚫ The Zener effect is a type of electrical breakdown in a reverse
biased p-n diode in which the electric field enables tunneling
of electrons from the valence to the conduction band of a
semiconductor, leading to a large number of free minority
carriers, which suddenly increase the reverse current.
Basic Parameters of a Zener Diode
⚫ The Zener Voltage (Vz) must be specified. The most
common range of zener voltage is 3.3 to 75 volts, however
voltage out of this range are available.
⚫ A tolerance of the specified voltage must be stated. While
the most popular tolerance are 5% and 10%,more precision
tolerance as low as 0.05% are available. A test current (Iz)
must be specified with the voltage and tolerance.
⚫ The power handling capability must be specified for the
zener diode. Popular power ranges are: ¼, ½, 1, 5, 10 and 50
watts.
The most common application of Zener Diode

• The Zener diode is frequently used as a voltage


regulator or shunt regulator.
• Typically, it serves as a voltage reference.
• In voltage stabilisers or shunt regulators, zener
diodes are utilized.
• Zener in Power Supplies.
• Switching operations employ zener diodes.
• Circuits for clipping and clamping use Zener
diodes.
• Various protective circuits employ Zener diodes.
Advantages of Zener Diode

✓ The Zener diode can be utilized in smaller circuits and


in mobile phones because of its diminutive size.
✓ Comparing Zener diodes to other diodes, they are less
expensive.
✓ Zener diodes can be used to regulate, stabilise, and
manage the voltage in a circuit.
✓ These diodes perform to a very high quality.
✓ Because of its good compatibility, Zener diodes are
employed to regulate voltage.
✓ Power dissipation capacity is very high.
✓ High accuracy
Thank You

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