The Zener diode is a special diode, that enables the current to flow not only from positive terminal (anode) to the negative terminal (cathode), but also in the opposite direction. The Zener diode is a special type of diode that is designed to work in reverse bias and in the so-called Zener region of the diode characteristic curve. What is Zener diode ?It is a type of diode which is operate in reverse biased condition.Zener diode is highly doped specially design diode . The diode doesn’t suffer from an avalanche breakdown, but a slightly different kind of breakdown that is now called the Zener breakdown. Zener Diode as Voltage Stabiliser. While a normal diode has a relatively high reverse-breakdown voltage, a Zener diode has a reverse breakdown as low as 1.2 volts direct current (VDC). The Zener diode allows current fluctuations while stabilizing the voltage, whereas the resistor voltage varies as the current fluctuates. The PN junction diode is used for rectification purpose because it allows the current to flow only in one direction. This is considered as the basic application of Zener diode. The Zener Voltage, VZ, of a zener diode is the breakdown voltage of a zener diode when it is connected in reverse-biased in a circuit. But since there are so many types of a diode, how to differentiate between them and most importantly which one to use according to its requirement in our circuit.Difference between Zener diode and normal Rectifier diode When forward biased, it behaves like a normal signal diode, but when the reverse voltage is applied to it, the voltage remains constant for a wide range of currents. in frequency modulation (FM) systems, pulse selection systems), voltage stabilizers and as the component, which secures and protects circuits from power surges. This article covers the Zener diode definition, working principle, characteristics, and applications. A Zener diode is a special type of rectifying diode that can handle breakdown due to reverse breakdown voltage without failing completely. We have discussed the application of Zener diode as voltage regulator and now we will discuss the other two points. A similar breakdown voltage is observed in general-purpose diodes. It is a type of switch which only allows the forward current to pass through it. They are pulled away from their valence orbits, so that they become free and can flow. Over voltage protection is done by using Zener diodes because there is current flowing through the diode after the reverse bias voltage exceeds a certain voltage . The Zener diode of zener voltage VZ is reverse connected across the load RL across which constant output is desired. A Zener diode voltage regulator is highly dependent on the load current. A diode is a passive device which allows the flow of current in one direction only. A Zener diode is a semiconductor device which conducts in forward biased as well as reversed biased. A zener diode can be used as a voltage regulator to provide a constant voltage from a source whose voltage may vary over sufficient range. What Is A Zener Diode When the reverse bias voltage on a normal crystal diode is increased, a point known as Knee point is reached at a voltage known as breakdown voltage, when the reverse current increases sharply to a high value. Zener diode is a two-pin device. A zener diode whose breakdown voltage is approx equal to the the desired voltage is chosen.We know that in parallel combination, the devices get the same voltage. When PN junction diode is reverse biased by connected the battery positive terminal to N type side and negative terminal to P-type side of diode. A normal diode if operated in reversed biased will get destroyed.Thus, a normal PN junction diode is considered as a unidirectional device. The Zener diode is a diode that is employed specifically to operate in reverse bias. The Zener diode can be defined as; it is a special kind of diode when we compare with other diodes. That has different properties from a general diode. Zener diode definition – also called stabilizer or stabilistor.. What is Zener Diode. Zener diodes can be connected in series for use at higher voltages, resulting in higher regulated voltages in series. A Zener diode is a voltage reference device that makes use of the reverse bias characteristics of a doped positive-negative (P-N) junction, which is made of positive (P)-type and negative (N)-type semiconductor materials. The Zener voltage of a standard diode is high, but if a reverse current above that value is allowed to pass through it, the diode is permanently damaged.Zener diodes are designed so that their zener voltage is much lower – for example just 2.4 Volts. Zener diode is a silicon semiconductor with a p-n junction that is specifically designed to work in the reverse biased condition. When designing such a circuit, you have to know the current (or range of currents) you will be drawing from this regulated voltage. The Diode and Zener diode are different from each other with respect to their symbols, construction, operations, and applications, a major difference between diode and Zener diode is the electric current conduction normal diode can conduct in one direction whereas Zener diode is able to conduct in both forward and reverse direction. The zener is a highly doped, special pn (semiconductor) junction designed to drive in the reverse direction (reverse biased diode) when a certain specified voltage, called the zener voltage or voltage, is reached . The doping of the Zener diode is more than the conventional diode, so its depletion part has less area. It is mainly used as a voltage regulator or voltage reference component. When a reverse current above the Zener voltage passes through a Zener diode, there is a controlled breakdown which does not damage the diode. the diodes anode connects to the negative supply. Hence in this way the voltage is limited across the load. The circuit arrangement is shown in Fig. The Zener diode is binned according to the breakdown voltage because of this characteristic. The Zener still conducts electricity in the forward direction like any other diode, but also conducts in the reverse direction, if the voltage applied is reversed and larger than the Zener breakdown voltage. When the diode is reverse-biased, this intense electric field causes the electrons to become ionized. In this way, it is used as a voltage regulator. It starts conducting in a reverse biased condition when the applied voltage is above the breakdown voltage and this voltage is called Zener breakdown voltage. 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