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Zener Diode Basic Operation and Applications

A Zener diode allows current to flow in both directions and consists of a heavily doped p-n junction. It conducts in reverse bias above a specific breakdown voltage, maintaining a constant voltage. Zener diodes are used for voltage regulation, references, surge protection, and clipping circuits due to this property. They operate normally forward but conduct in reverse above the breakdown voltage, producing a constant voltage that makes them suitable for regulation.

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Evelyn P. Galano
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590 views

Zener Diode Basic Operation and Applications

A Zener diode allows current to flow in both directions and consists of a heavily doped p-n junction. It conducts in reverse bias above a specific breakdown voltage, maintaining a constant voltage. Zener diodes are used for voltage regulation, references, surge protection, and clipping circuits due to this property. They operate normally forward but conduct in reverse above the breakdown voltage, producing a constant voltage that makes them suitable for regulation.

Uploaded by

Evelyn P. Galano
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Zener Diode Basic Operation and Applications

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.

The Zener diode has a well-defined reverse-breakdown voltage, at which it starts conducting
current, and continues operating continuously in the reverse-bias mode without getting
damaged. Additionally, the voltage drop across the diode remains constant over a wide range
of voltages, a feature that makes Zener diodes suitable for use in voltage regulation.

Zener diode operation

The Zener diode operates just like the normal diode when in the forward-bias mode, and has
a turn-on voltage of between 0.3 and 0.7 V. However, when connected in the reverse mode,
which is usual in most of its applications, a small leakage current may flow. As the reverse
voltage increases to the predetermined breakdown voltage (Vz), a current starts flowing
through the diode. The current increases to a maximum, which is determined by the series
resistor, after which it stabilizes and remains constant over a wide range of applied voltage.
Figure 1: Zener diode IV characteristics

Zener breakdown

The breakdown is either due to the Zener breakdown effect that occurs below 5.5 V, or
impact ionization that occurs above 5.5 V. Both mechanisms result in the same behavior and
do not require different circuitry; however, each mechanism has a different temperature
coefficient.

The Zener effect has a negative temperature coefficient while the impact effect experiences a
positive coefficient. The two temperature effects are almost equal at 5.5 V and cancel out
each other to make the Zener diodes rated at around 5.5 V the most stable over a wide ran ge
of temperature conditions.

Zener diode specifications

Zener diodes vary in specifications such as nominal working voltage, power dissipation,
maximum reverse current, and packaging. Some commonly used specifications include:

 Voltage Vz: The Zener voltage refers to the reverse breakdown voltage—2.4 V to
about 200 V; can go up to 1 kV while the maximum for the surface-mounted device
(SMD) is about 47 V).
 Current Iz (max.): Maximum current at the rated Zener voltage Vz—200 uA to 200
A).
 Current Iz (min.): Minimum current required for the diode to break down—5 mA and
10 mA.
 Power rating: The maximum power the Zener diode can dissipate; given by the
product of voltage across the diode and the current flowing through. Typical values
are 400 mW, 500 mW, 1 W, and 5 W; for surface mounted, 200 mW, 350 mW, 500
mW, and 1 W are typical.
 Voltage tolerance: Typically ±5%.
 Temperature stability: Diodes around 5 V have the best stability.
 Package: Leaded devices and the surface mount either as discrete devices or within
integrated circuits.
 Zener resistance (Rz): The diode exhibits some resistance as evident from the IV
characteristics.

Figure 2: Zener diode resistance

Zener diode applications

Zener diodes are used for voltage regulation, as reference elements, surge su ppressors, and in
switching applications and clipper circuits.

Voltage regulator
The load voltage equals breakdown voltage VZ of the diode. The series resistor limits the
current through the diode and drops the excess voltage when the diode is conducting.

Figure 3: Zener diode shunt regulator

Zener diode in overvoltage protection

If the input voltage increases to a value higher than the Zener breakdown voltage, current
flows through the diode and create a voltage drop across the resistor; this triggers th e SCR
and creates a short circuit to the ground. The short circuit opens up the fuse and disconnects
the load from the supply.

Figure 4: SCR overvoltage crowbar circuit


Zener Diode Clipping Circuits

Zener diodes are used to modify or shape AC waveform clipping circuits. The clipping
circuit limits or clips off parts of one or both of the half cycles of an AC waveform to shape
the waveform or provide protection.

Figure 5: Zener diode clipping circuits

Transistor-is a semiconductor device for amplifying, controlling, and


generating electrical signals.

The breakdown voltage of an insulator is the minimum voltage that causes a portion of an
insulator to become electrically conductive. For diodes, the breakdown voltage is the minimum
reverse voltage that makes the diode conduct appreciably in reverse

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