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Updated on 25th April, 2023 , 6 min read
A zener diode is a semiconductor device that conducts current in the reverse direction when a certain voltage is applied. This voltage is known as the zener voltage or breakdown voltage. When the voltage across the zener diode exceeds the breakdown voltage, the diode conducts current and maintains a constant voltage across its terminals.They are special types of diodes that can operate in the reverse breakdown region without being damaged. In this article, we will discuss the uses of zener diodes in detail.
A Zener diode is a type of semiconductor diode that is designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region. Unlike regular diodes, which are designed to conduct current in only one direction, Zener diodes allow current to flow in the reverse direction when a certain voltage is reached. This characteristic is known as the Zener breakdown, and it allows Zener diodes to maintain a stable voltage across their terminals.
Zener diodes are named after Clarence Melvin Zener, an American physicist who first proposed the concept of the Zener breakdown in 1934. Today, Zener diodes are commonly used in electronic circuits for voltage regulation, overvoltage protection, voltage shifting, waveform clipping, noise reduction, temperature sensing, and current limiting.
When a forward one-sided voltage is applied to the Zener diode, it operates in the same way as a conventional diode. In any case, when a one-sided voltage is applied to the Zener diode, it behaves in a variety of ways.
When an opposing one-sided voltage is applied to a Zener diode, only a small amount of spilling current is allowed until the voltage is not exactly Zener voltage. When the reverse one-sided voltage applied to the Zener diode reaches Zener voltage, it begins to allow a large amount of electric flow.
A small increase in inversion voltage will now rapidly increase the electric flow. The sudden increase in electric flux causes zener breakdown. However, the Zener diode exhibits a controlled breakdown that damages the device.
One of the primary uses of Zener diodes is voltage regulation. They are used to maintain a stable voltage supply by regulating the voltage across their terminals. This makes them ideal for use in voltage regulators and voltage references. Voltage regulators are used to maintain a constant voltage output from a power supply, regardless of variations in input voltage or load current. Voltage references, on the other hand, are used as a reference voltage for other components in a circuit.
Zener diodes are also commonly used in electronic circuits as overvoltage protectors. They are used to protect sensitive components from damage due to overvoltage. When the voltage in a circuit exceeds a certain limit, the Zener diode conducts and shunts the excess current to ground. This protects the circuit from damage due to overvoltage.
Another important use of Zener diodes is in voltage shifting circuits. In such circuits, the Zener diode is connected in series with a resistor and the input voltage. The output voltage across the resistor is shifted by the Zener voltage. This is useful in circuits where a shifted voltage is required, such as in power amplifiers or audio applications.
Zener diodes are also commonly used in waveform clipping circuits. In such circuits, the Zener diode is connected in series with a load resistor and the input waveform. When the input voltage exceeds the Zener voltage, the Zener diode conducts and clips the waveform. This is useful in applications where a limited voltage range is required, such as in audio or video applications.
Zener diodes can also be used in electronic circuits as noise suppressors. In such circuits, the Zener diode is connected in parallel with a load resistor. The Zener diode conducts when the voltage across the resistor exceeds the Zener voltage, reducing the noise level. This is useful in applications where a low noise level is required, such as in sensitive electronic equipment or communication systems.
Zener diodes can also be used as temperature sensors. The voltage across a Zener diode is temperature-dependent, and this characteristic can be used to measure the temperature of a system. The Zener diode can be used as part of a temperature sensing circuit, where the voltage across the diode is measured and converted into a temperature reading.
Zener diodes can be used as current limiters in electronic circuits. When a current-limited power supply is required, a Zener diode can be used to limit the current to a safe level. This is useful in applications where the current needs to be limited, such as LED drivers or battery charging circuits.
Zener diodes vary in specifications such as nominal working voltage, power dissipation, maximum reverse current, and packaging. Some commonly used specifications include:
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By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readA Zener diode is a type of diode that allows current to flow in the reverse direction when a certain voltage threshold is reached. This voltage is known as the Zener voltage or breakdown voltage.
Zener diodes are commonly used in voltage regulation, surge suppression, and protection circuits. They are also used in power supplies, voltage stabilizers, and as reference or precision voltage sources.
Regular diodes allow current to flow in one direction and block it in the other direction. Zener diodes also block current in one direction, but allow it to flow in the reverse direction when a specific voltage is reached.
The maximum voltage a Zener diode can handle depends on the specific diode and its ratings. Zener diodes are available with breakdown voltages ranging from a few volts to hundreds of volts.
To select a Zener diode for a specific application, you need to consider the desired Zener voltage, the maximum power dissipation, and the maximum current that will flow through the diode.
Yes, Zener diodes are commonly used for voltage regulation in power supplies. They can be used to regulate the output voltage and provide protection against voltage spikes.
Yes, Zener diodes are polarity sensitive and must be connected correctly to function properly.
Zener diodes are not typically used as rectifiers since they do not conduct current in the forward direction. Regular diodes are used as rectifiers.
The temperature coefficient of a Zener diode is a measure of how the breakdown voltage changes with temperature. It is typically expressed in mV/°C.
One drawback of using Zener diodes is that they can be sensitive to temperature changes and can drift in their breakdown voltage over time. They can also be more expensive than regular diodes.