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Zener Diode & Applications

(a) Positive peak will be limited to the zener voltage of 6 V. (b) Negative peak will be limited to -6 V and positive peak will be limited to approximately 0.7 V.

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srakhisharma41
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58 views

Zener Diode & Applications

(a) Positive peak will be limited to the zener voltage of 6 V. (b) Negative peak will be limited to -6 V and positive peak will be limited to approximately 0.7 V.

Uploaded by

srakhisharma41
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ECE121

Special Purpose Diodes


(Zener diode)
Outlines
 Introduction to Zener Diode

 Voltage regulation and limiting


Introduction
The Zener diode is a silicon p-n junction devices that differs from rectifier
diodes because it is designed for operation in the reverse-breakdown region.
The breakdown voltage of a Zener diode is set by carefully controlling the
level during manufacture.
The basic function of Zener diode is to maintain a specific voltage across
it’s terminals within given limits of line or load change. Typically it is used
for providing a stable reference voltage for use in power supplies and other
equipment.

This particular Zener circuit will work


to maintain 10 V across the load.
Its break-down voltage is (VZ = 10V)
Zener Diodes
A Zener diode is much like a normal diode. The exception being is that it is
placed in the circuit in reverse bias and operates in reverse breakdown.
This typical characteristic curve illustrates the operating range for a Zener.
Note that it’s forward characteristics are just like a normal diode.

Volt-ampere
characteristic
is shown in
this Figure
with normal
operating
regions for
rectifier
diodes and for
Zener diodes
shown as
shaded areas.
4
Zener Breakdown
Zener diodes are designed to operate in reverse breakdown. Two types
of reverse breakdown in a zener diode are avalanche and zener. The
avalanche break down occurs in both rectifier and zener diodes at a
sufficiently high reverse voltage. Zener breakdown occurs in a zener
diode at low reverse voltages.
A zener diode is heavily doped to reduced the breakdown voltage.
This causes a very thin depletion region. As a result, an intense electric
field exists within the depletion region. Near the zener breakdown
voltage (Vz), the field is intense enough to pull electrons from their
valence bands and create current. The zener diodes breakdown
characteristics are determined by the doping process.
Low voltage Zener less than 5V operate in the zener breakdown range.
Those designed to operate more than 5 V operate mostly in avalanche
breakdown range. Zeners are commercially available with voltage
breakdowns of 1.8 V to 200 V.
Breakdown Characteristics
Figure shows the reverse portion of a Zener diode’s characteristic curve.
As the reverse voltage (VR) is increased, the reverse current (IR) remains
extremely small up to the “knee” of the curve. The reverse current is also
called the zener current, IZ. At this point, the breakdown effect begins; the
internal zener resistance, also called zener impedance (Z Z), begins to
decrease as reverse current increases rapidly.
Zener Equivalent Circuit
Figure (b) represents the practical model of a zener diode, where the zener
impedance (ZZ) is included. Since the actual voltage curve is not ideally
vertical, a change in zener current (ΔIZ) produces a small change in zener
voltage (ΔVZ), as illustrated in Figure (c).

VZ
ZZ 
I Z
Zener diode equivalent circuit models and the characteristic curve illustrating
Z Z.
Ex: A zener diode exhibits a certain change in VZ for a certain change in IZ on a
portion of the linear characteristic curve between IZK and IZM as illustrated in
Figure. What is the zener impedance?

VZ 50mV
ZZ    10
I Z 5mA
Zener Power Dissipating and Derating
 Zener diodes are specified to operate at a maximum power called the
maximum dc power dissipation, PD(max) is PD = VZIZ
 The maximum power dissipation of a zener diode is typically specified for
temperature at or below a certain value (50 oC, for example). The derating
factor is expressed in mW/oC. The maximum derated power can be
determined with the following formula:
PD(derated) = PD(max) – (mW/oC)ΔT

Ex: A certain zener diode has a maximum power rating of 400 mW at 50 oC and a
derating factor of 3.2 mW/oC. Determine the maximum power the zener can
dissipate at a temperature of 90 oC.

PD(derated) = PD(max) – (mW/oC)ΔT


= 400 mW – (3.2 mW/oC)(90oC – 50 oC)
= 400 mW – 128 mW = 272 mW
Zener Diode Applications
(Zener Regulation with a Varying Input Voltage)
Zener Regulation with a Variable Load
In this simple illustration of zener regulation circuit, the zener diode will
“adjust” its impedance based on varying input voltages and loads (R L) to
be able to maintain its designated zener voltage. Zener current will
increase or decrease directly with voltage input changes. The zener
current will increase or decrease inversely with varying loads. Again, the
zener has a finite range of operation.
Zener Limiting
Zener diodes can used in ac applications to limit voltage swings to desired levels.
Part (a) shows a zener used to limit the positive peak of a signal voltage to the
selected voltage. When the zener is turned around, as in part (b), the negative peak is
limited by zener action and the positive voltage is limited to + 0.7 V.
Ex: Determine the output voltage for each zener limiting circuit in Figure.

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