History
• Clarence Melvin Zener, a distinguished theoretical physicist at Bell
labs , made significant contributions to the understanding of Zener
diode’s electrical properties .
• In 1934 , he published a ground breaking paper postulating the
phenomenon of breakdown effect which was subsequently named
after him.
Introduction
• A Zener diode is a particular type of diode that allows the current not
only in the forward direction ,but also in the reverse direction if the
voltage is larger than the breakdown voltage known as “Zener
Voltage”.
Working
A Zener diode is a special type of diode that allows current to flow not
only in the forward direction, like a typical diode, but also in the
reverse direction if the voltage exceeds a certain value known as the
Zener breakdown voltage.
Here is the step by step explanation of how zeener diode works:
• 1. Forward Bias Mode:
•
• In forward bias (when the positive terminal of the voltage source is
connected to the anode and the negative terminal to the cathode),
the Zener diode behaves like a regular diode.
•
• It allows current to flow when the applied voltage exceeds the
forward voltage (typically around 0.7V for silicon diodes).
• 2. Reverse Bias Mode:
•
• In reverse bias (when the positive terminal of the voltage source is
connected to the cathode and the negative terminal to the anode), the
Zener diode behaves differently than a normal diode.
•
• Up to a certain reverse voltage, it blocks the flow of current like a standard
diode.
•
• When the reverse voltage reaches the Zener breakdown voltage (denoted
as Vz), the diode starts to conduct current in the reverse direction.
• 3. Zener Breakdown:
•
• When the reverse voltage exceeds the Zener breakdown voltage, the
electric field across the p-n junction becomes strong enough to pull
electrons from their valence bands, creating a large number of electron-
hole pairs.
•
• This process is called Zener breakdown.
•
• The diode will then conduct in the reverse direction, allowing current to
flow while maintaining a nearly constant voltage across the diode, equal to
the Zener voltage (Vz).
• 4. Zener Diode Characteristics:
•
• Voltage Regulation: The key feature of a Zener diode is its ability to
maintain a stable output voltage (Vz) despite variations in the input voltage
or load resistance. This makes it useful in voltage regulation circuits.
•
• Reverse Leakage Current: At voltages lower than the Zener breakdown
voltage, there is a small reverse leakage current, but it is negligible.
•
• Sharp Breakdown: Once the Zener voltage is reached, the diode rapidly
goes into breakdown mode, and the voltage across the diode remains
constant even if the reverse current increases
Applications
• 1 LED Protection:
• Zener diodes play a crucial role in LED protection by
safeguarding the LEDs from overvoltage and ensuring their
long lifespan.
• LEDs are sensitive to voltage spikes or surges, which can
damage or reduce their lifespan. A Zener diode can be placed
in parallel with the LED. If the input voltage exceeds the LED’s
safe operating voltage, the Zener diode conducts and
prevents the excess voltage from reaching the LED.
• Signal Clipping:
• In signal clipping, Zener diodes are used to limit the amplitude of a
signal to a desired level, effectively “clipping” the signal when it
exceeds certain voltage threshold
• By placing Zener diodes in reverse bias across the output of an AC
signal, the diodes can limit or clip the signal’s voltage. When the
signal exceeds the Zener breakdown voltage, the diode conducts and
prevents the signal from going beyond that voltage level.
1. Voltage Regulation: Zener diodes are commonly used as
voltage regulators to maintain a constant output voltage. When
connected in reverse bias, they regulate the voltage across
them to the Zener breakdown voltage, providing stable voltage
to sensitive components.2. Overvoltage Protection: They
protect circuits from voltage spikes by conducting in reverse
once the voltage exceeds a certain level, thus preventing
damage to other components
.
