Zener Diode

The diode is the basic component of electronic circuits.

The diode is basically made up of P-type and N-type semiconductors.

P-type semiconductor represents the positive semiconductor because it is having an excess amount of holes in the configuration.

N-type semiconductor represents the negative semiconductor because it is having an excess amount of electrons in the configuration.

If these both types of characteristics present in one crystal then it is called a diode.

The diode is of many types. One of them is the Zener diode.

Zener diode is used for voltage regulation. It prevents unwanted variations in DC supplies within a circuit.

Let's discuss the Zener diode.

Zener diode is a heavily doped p-n junction diode which operates under reverse-bias and in the breakdown region.

Zener diode can operate between the voltage gradient of $10^7$ volt per meter.

Zener diode always operates in the breakdown region. Where the current used to be very high at a reverse-bias voltage.

Hence, the power ($P$) dissipated by the Zener diode is,

Now, there are two different values of Zener current ($I_z$). (a) $I_{z_{min}}$, and (b) $I_{z_{max}}$.

$I_{z_{min}}$ is the minimum value of current from where the Zener starts to operate.

$I_{z_{max}}$ is the maximum value of current up to which the Zener can operate.

This is the symbol of the Zener diode.

The positive and negative sign indicates that it works under the reverse bias condition.

Now, we can also see the variations of Zener current with Zener voltage.

In forward bias, it will be as,

And in reverse bias, it will be as,

Now, the $I_{z_{min}}$, $I_{z_{max}}$, and $V_z$ will be as,

The Zener voltage ($V_z$) can vary from $2.5v$ to $200v$ depending on the type of material.

Similarly, the power dissipated ($P$) can also vary from $150mW$ to $50W$.

This is all about the Zener diode.

Revision

Zener diode is a heavily doped p-n junction diode which operates under reverse-bias and in the breakdown region.

The power dissipated by Zener diode is,

This is the symbol of the Zener diode.

We can see the variations of currents and voltages in the zener diode.

The End