Chapter 2

Diode Applications
By Wan Rosmaria binti Wan Ahmad
ELE424 – OCT 2022 – FEB 2023
PART 3 (ZENER REGULATOR)
 Introduction: What is a Zener diode?
• A Zener diode is intended to breakdown at a
precisely designed reverse biased voltage, VZ.
• Zener breakdown are intentionally designed to
breakdown at lower voltage levels.
• Zener breakdown is a result of tunneling of carriers
across the junction.
• A Zener diode is one that is designed to safely
operate in its Zener region; i.e., biased at the Zener
voltage (VZ).
• The steep i–v curve that the diode exhibits in the
breakdown region indicates that the diode can lock
the voltage at a specified values VZ when it breaks
down in reverse bias.
 Introduction: Practical information on zener
diodes (in simplified terms)
• A Zener diode acts like a two-way gate to
current flow. In the forward direction, it’s easy
to push open; only about 0.7 V—just like a
standard silicon diode.
• In the reverse direction, it’s harder to push
open; it requires a voltage equal to the Zener’s
breakdown voltage VZ.
• This breakdown voltage can start from 1.8 to
higher values, depending on the model
(1N5225B = 3.0 V, 1N4733A = 5.1V, 1N4739A =
9.1 V, etc.).
• Power ratings vary from around 0.25 to 50 W.
Zener diode
Models, Series Network
 Basic Concepts: Zener Diode Models and
Notation
• If Zener diode is operating in forward- bias
region, the voltage drop is positive at the p-side.
Current flow is in the direction of the arrow in
symbol.
• In between forward-bias turn-on voltage and VZ,
diode is an open circuit.
• When the diode enters Zener region, the
voltage drop is positive at the n- side. Current
flow is in the opposite direction to the arrow in
symbol.
• Just like the turn-on voltage, the diode is
“locked” at VZ once it enters Zener region.
Example: Zener in series circuits

Given:
• Forward voltage of white LED is given to be 4 V,
silicon diode 0.7 V, VZ are 6 V and 3.3 V.
Find:
• What is Vo1 and Vo2?
• What is the current through LED?
• What is the power delivered by the supply?
• Compare power absorbed by white LED vs 6-V Zener
diode.
Zener Diode Voltage Regulator
Introduction: Zener Diodes in Voltage
Regulators
• Zener diode can be used as a reference voltage
and can act as a protection device. It finds
major applications as regulators.
• A voltage regulator is a system designed to
automatically maintain a constant voltage level for a
load.
• There are many applications for Zener diode, such as
for line regulation, load regulation, voltage regulator
booster, split supply for single transformer etc. But for
this course, we will only consider the simplest form
of voltage regulator.
Understanding Zener Voltage Regulator
• For this circuit, we want the output voltage to remain
constant, even when the output load resistance varies over a
fairly wide range, and when the input voltage varies over a
specific range. (VPS may be the ripple voltage from a
rectifier circuit from an ac source).
• Without the Zener diode, the voltage drop across the load
is highly dependent on the value RL and VPS as described
by voltage divider rule. This would make the voltage
In the diagram, VPS is the dc across the load not constant.
voltage power supply. Ri is the • We can add Zener diode to lock the voltage drop across RL
internal resistance. RL represents over some range of acceptable RL variation and VPS
the load. variation. This is the basic concept of voltage regulator.
• The resistance Ri limits the current through the Zener
diode and drops the “excess” voltage between VPS and
VZ.
Voltage Regulator Circuit Analysis

For the purpose of this course, we consider three conditions of the Zener
voltage circuit for the following cases:
• Case 1: Fixed Vi and RL → (to test whether diode is ON or OFF)
• Case 2: Fixed Vi and variable RL → (to see the range of RL (and IL) that
the voltage regulator can work whilst maintaining Zener diode ratings.)
• Case 3: Fixed RL and variable Vi -> (to find the range of Vi that the
voltage regulator can work whilst maintaining Zener diode ratings –
makes the diode in ON state)
 Case 1:
Analysis for fixed values of Vi and RL
• Will the Zener diode conduct? Just looking at the value Vi
will not be enough because there will be voltage drop across
Ri and other added components as well if present.
• To determine if the Zener diode can breakdown with the
supply values, analyses by removing the Zener diode from
the network and calculate voltage V across open circuit
which is VL using voltage divider rule.
• This will tell us if the reverse bias voltage across the Zener
diode is enough to cause Zener breakdown.
• If V >VZ, Zener diode is on, and the equivalent model of R L Vi
V = VL =
voltage drop VZ can be substituted. R+R L
• If V <VZ, the diode is off, the diode acts as an open circuit.
 Basic Zener Diode Network

For the diode to perform the required

operation, these conditions must be fulfilled.

𝑰𝒛 ≤ 𝑰𝒁𝒎𝒂𝒙
𝑷𝒁 ≤ 𝑷𝒁𝒎𝒂𝒙
 Case 1: Vi and RL fixed
• Test using voltage divider rules (VDR) at the load

𝑹𝑳
𝑽𝑳 = × 𝑽𝒊
𝑹𝑳 + 𝑹
𝑅𝐿
If VL<VZ, →OFF State → 𝑉𝐿 = × 𝑉𝑖
• If VL>VZ , →ON state → VL=VZ (VL is locked to the 𝑅𝐿 + 𝑅
value of VZ) • VL equals to the actual value
• Let say VL=12V, VZ=10V, thus, VL=VZ=10V calculated earlier using VDR.
• Redraw the circuit,
• Redraw the circuit During OFF state
During ON state
IR= IZ + IL IZ=0 (open circuit)
IR R
R IZ= IR – IL
+ + IR= IZ + IL (IR = IL in series)
IZ IL IR IZ
𝑉𝑅 𝑉𝐿 IL
Vi + + VL 𝐼𝑍 = − Vi +
RL VL Therefore,
- VZ RL 𝑅 𝑅𝐿 -
-
But, VL =VZ,
- Therefore, - 𝑉𝐿
𝐼𝑅 = 𝐼𝐿 =
𝑉𝑖 − 𝑉𝑍 𝑉𝑍 𝑅𝐿
𝐼𝑍 = −
𝑅 𝑅𝐿
Example 1: Vi and RL fixed
Refer to the given circuit,
(a) Determine VL, VR, IR, IL, IZ and PZ
(b) Repeat (a) but replace RL with 3KΩ
IR
R=1KΩ
+
Vi = 16V IZ IL
+ +
VZ = 10V VL
-
- RL = 1.2KΩ
-
Pzmax =30mW
Answer: Answer:
(a) For RL = 1.2KΩ, (b) For RL = 3KΩ,
𝑹𝑳 𝟏. 𝟐𝒌 𝑹𝑳 𝟑𝒌
𝑽𝑳 = × 𝑽𝒊 = 𝟏𝟔 = 𝟖. 𝟕𝟑𝑽 𝑽𝑳 = × 𝑽𝒊 = 𝟏𝟔 = 𝟏𝟐𝑽
𝑹𝑳 + 𝑹 𝟏. 𝟐𝒌 + 𝟏𝒌 𝑹𝑳 + 𝑹 𝟑𝒌 + 𝟏𝒌

Vz=10V, → VL<VZ → Diode is OFF! Vz=10V, → VL>VZ → Diode is ON! → VL = VZ = 10V

Redraw the circuit, Redraw the circuit,
R IR
R=1KΩ
+
IR IZ +
IL Vi = 16V IZ IL
Vi= 16V + RL VL +
- + VL
- VZ = 10V
- - RL = 3KΩ
-

VR=Vi - VL = 16 – 8.73 =7.27V

VR=Vi - VZ = 16 – 10 = 6V
𝑉𝑅 7.27 IL ≈ IR ≈ 7.28 mA PZ= IZ VZ = (2.67m)(10)
𝐼𝑅 = = = 7.27𝑚𝐴 𝑉𝑅 6 PZ = 26.7 mW
𝑅 1𝑘 𝐼𝑅 = = = 6 𝑚𝐴
𝑅 1𝑘
𝑉𝐿 8.73 IZ=0 (open circuit)
𝐼𝐿 = = = 7.28𝑚𝐴 𝑉𝐿 10 PZ = 26.7 mW < Pzmax =30mW
𝑅𝐿 1.2𝑘 𝐼𝐿 = = = 3.33𝑚𝐴
PZ= IZ VZ = 0 𝑅𝐿 3𝑘
IZ= IR – IL= 6m – 3.33m = 2.67 mA
 Case 2: Vi fixed and RL & IL varied
• There is specific range of RL which To find the min RL that can be used Note:
will ensure the Zener diode is in the so that Iz<Izmax and Pz<Pzmax is; If RL< RLmin → diode is OFF (not
ON state suitable)
𝑉𝐿 𝑉𝑍
• The min voltage across the load to 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼 =𝐼 If RL> RLmin → diode might be ON,
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛
make the Zener diode ON in Vz but Iz>Izmax and Pz>Pzmax(not suitable).
• To find the min RL to ON the diode where,
is; 𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝑅 − 𝐼𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑉𝑅
−𝐼𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 The suitable conditions are;
𝑅
𝑉𝐿 = 𝑉𝑍 = 𝑅 𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛+𝑅 (𝑉𝑖𝑛 )
𝑅
RLmin < RL< Rlmax
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
𝑉𝑖 − 𝑉𝑍
− 𝐼𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 and
𝑅
𝑉𝑍 (𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 + 𝑅) = 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑉𝑖𝑛 ) ILmin < IL< ILmax
And
𝑉𝑍 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 + 𝑉𝑍 𝑅 = 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑉𝑖𝑛 )
𝑉𝑖 − 𝑉𝑍
𝐼𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − 𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑍 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑉𝑖𝑛 ) = −𝑉𝑍 𝑅 𝑅

−𝑉𝑍 𝑅 𝑉𝑍 𝑅 𝑉𝑍
𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = 𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑉𝑖 −𝑉𝑍 𝑉𝑍 −𝑉𝑖 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛
Example 2: Vi fixed and RL & IL varied
For the network shown below, find the range of RL and IL that will results in VL
being maintained at 10V.
IR
R=1KΩ
+
Vi = 50V IZ IL
+ +
VZ = 10V VL
-
- RL = 1.2KΩ
Izmax =32mA -

−𝑉 𝑅
𝑍 𝑉𝑍 𝑅 10(1𝐾)
(1) 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑉 −𝑉 = 𝑉 = = 250Ω (5) The suitable conditions are;
𝑖 𝑍 𝑍 −𝑉𝑖 50−10
RLmin < RL< Rlmax
𝑉𝑖 −𝑉𝑍 50−10
(2) 𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = − 𝐼𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − 32𝑚 = 8mA 250 Ω < RL <1.25k Ω
𝑅 1𝑘
and
𝑉𝐿 𝑉𝑍 10 ILmin < IL< ILmax
(3) 𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = = 1.25kΩ 8mA< IL <40mA
𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 8𝑚
𝑉𝑍 10
(4) 𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 40𝑚𝐴
𝑅𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 250
 Case 3: Vi varied and RL fixed
• There is specified range of Vi that will sure the Zener diode in the ON state.
• To find the min Vi required to ON the diode,
𝑅𝐿
𝑉𝐿 = 𝑉𝑍 = × 𝑉𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑅𝐿 + 𝑅

𝑉𝑍 𝑅𝐿 + 𝑅
𝑉𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
𝑅𝐿
• To find the max Vi so that
Iz≤Izmax and Pz≤Pzmax

KVL:
-Vi + VR + VZ = 0
Vimax = VRmax + Vzconstant
Vimax = IRmaxR + VZ
= (Izmax + IL)R + VZ
 Example 3: Vi varied and RL fixed
Determine the range of Vi that will maintain VL at 8V and do not exceed the maximum power rating of the
Zener diode.
(2) 𝑉 𝑉𝑍 (𝑅𝐿 + 𝑅) 8 (0.22𝑘 + 91)
IR 𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = = 11.31𝑉 = 36.36𝑚𝐴
R=91Ω 𝑅𝐿 (0.22𝑘)
+
IZ IL
+
+
(3) 𝑃 = 𝐼𝑉 𝑃𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑉𝑍
Vi VZ = 8V VL
-
RL = 0.22KΩ
- - 𝑃𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 400𝑚𝑊
𝐼𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 50𝑚𝐴
𝑉𝑍 8𝑉
Pzmax =400 mW

Answer: (4) 𝑉𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (𝐼𝑍𝑚𝑎𝑥 +𝐼𝐿 )𝑅 + 𝑉𝑍

(1) 𝑉𝐿 = 𝑉𝑍 = 8𝑉 = 50𝑚 + 36.36𝑚 91 + 8 = 15.86𝑉
𝑉𝐿 𝑉𝑍 8
𝐼𝐿 = = = = 36.36𝑚𝐴 (5) The suitable range of Vi is:
𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝐿 0.22𝑘
Vimin ≤ Vi ≤ Vimax

11.31V ≤ Vi ≤ 15.86V
Exercise 1:

Please answer this question by referring to the given Zener regulator network;
(a) Determine VL, IL, IZ, and IR if RL=180Ω.
(b) Repeat question (a) for RL=470Ω.

IR R=202Ω
+
IZ IL
+
+ VL
Vi = 20V RL
-
-
-
VZ = 10V
Pzmax =400mW
Exercise 2:
Referring the given Zener diode network, please answer these questions;
a) Design the network of the following figure to maintain VL at 12V for a load
variation, (IL) from 0 to 200mA. This will determine RS, Vz, and range of
RL.
b) Determine Pzmax for the Zener diode in question 2(a).

IS
Rs
+
IZ IL
+ +
Vi = 16V VZ VL
-
- RL
-
 End of Chapter 2
Diode Applications