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Zener Diode

A Zener diode allows current to flow in the reverse direction when a "Zener voltage" is reached. It has a highly doped p-n junction and is designed to operate reliably in the breakdown region. A Zener diode can be used as a voltage regulator by connecting it in reverse bias in a circuit. It will maintain a constant voltage across the load regardless of variations in the input voltage or load current by changing its reverse breakdown current. Zener breakdown occurs at a lower voltage than avalanche breakdown and results in a sharp, controllable current that does not destroy the junction.

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Praveen Chitti
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583 views

Zener Diode

A Zener diode allows current to flow in the reverse direction when a "Zener voltage" is reached. It has a highly doped p-n junction and is designed to operate reliably in the breakdown region. A Zener diode can be used as a voltage regulator by connecting it in reverse bias in a circuit. It will maintain a constant voltage across the load regardless of variations in the input voltage or load current by changing its reverse breakdown current. Zener breakdown occurs at a lower voltage than avalanche breakdown and results in a sharp, controllable current that does not destroy the junction.

Uploaded by

Praveen Chitti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ZENER DIODE

Zener Diode:
It is a special type of semiconductor diode which can be continuously operated in break down
region without any damage being caused to it and is designed to sustain a heavy current at the break
down.

A Zener diode allows current to flow from its anode to its cathode like a normal semiconductor diode, but
it also permits current to flow in the reverse direction when its "Zener voltage" is reached. Zener diodes
have a highly doped p-n junction. Normal diodes will also break down with a reverse voltage but the
voltage and sharpness of the knee are not as well defined as for a Zener diode. Also normal diodes are not
designed to operate in the breakdown region, but Zener diodes can reliably operate in this region.

The circuit symbol & VI characteristics of Zener diode is as shown below.

Prof. PRAVEEN CHITTI, JCE BELAGAVI


ZENER DIODE
Application of Zener diode as a voltage regulator:
The function of a regulator is to provide a constant output voltage to a load connected in parallel
with it in spite of the ripples in the supply voltage or the variation in the load current and the zener diode
will continue to regulate the voltage until the diodes current falls below the minimum IZ(min) value in the
reverse breakdown region. It permits current to flow in the forward direction as normal, but will also
allow it to flow in the reverse direction when the voltage is above a certain value - the breakdown voltage
known as the Zener voltage.

The purpose of a voltage regulator is to maintain a constant voltage across a load regardless of
variations in the applied input voltage and variations in the load current. A typical Zener diode shunt
regulator is shown in Figure below.

The Zener diode is connected in reverse bias so that it can be operated in Zener Region. The
resistance Rs is the series current limiting resistor and RL is the load.

If the input voltage increases the current I increases and since the Zener is operated in the break
down region Iz increases keeping IL constant which in turn keeps load voltage constant at Vz. Similarly if
the input voltage decreases the current I decreases and since the Zener is operated in the break down
region Iz decreases keeping IL constant which in turn keep load voltage constant at Vz.

In this way irrespective of variations in the input (Source Effects) the output voltage remains
constant.

If the supply voltage remains constant but the load is changing (Load Effects) even then voltage
across load remains constant by changing the Zener Current without changing the input current.

In this way irrespective of changes in voltage and variation in the load output voltage remains
constant. Thus the Zener diode acts as voltage regulator

Mathematical Analysis:
If the voltage across the diode is less than Vz then the diode is off and it acts as an open circuit
and current in circuit is given by

I = IL = Vs/(Rs+RL)

Vo = IL RL
Prof. PRAVEEN CHITTI, JCE BELAGAVI
ZENER DIODE
 Vo = Vs. RL/(Rs+RL) ----------------- 1

If Izmin and Izmax are the minimum and maximum Zener currents than the maximum power
dissipation is given by

Pzmax = Vz Izmax ------------------ 2

Case i)

If Vs = Vsmin

Imin = Izmin+IL

Applying KVL to the input loop

-Vsmin + Imin Rs + Vz = 0

Rs = (Vsmin – Vz )/ Imin -------------- 3

Case ii)

When Vs = Vsmax

Imax = Izmax + IL

Applying KVL to the input loop

-Vsmax + Imax Rs + Vz = 0

Rs = (Vsmax – Vz) / Imax --------------- 4

Vo = IL RL

Vz = IL RL

 RL = Vz / IL --------------- 5

Prof. PRAVEEN CHITTI, JCE BELAGAVI


ZENER DIODE
Breakdown mechanisms in diode:
Avalanche Breakdown:
Avalanche breakdown takes place in lightly doped diode where depletion region is large. When a
reverse voltage is applied the minority charge carriers starts moving and they collide with semiconductor
atoms thereby breaking covalent bonds as a result of which some more charge carriers are generated.
These newly generated charge carriers acquire additional kinetic energy from the applied reverse voltage
and they also start moving with greater velocity and process repeats which forms a cumulative process
called carrier multiplication or avalanche multiplication. Due to this self sustained process large number
of charge carriers starts flowing across the junction giving heavy reverse current thereby causing
breakdown of the junction called avalanche breakdown.

This breakdown is gradual, occurs at higher reverse voltage, it is uncontrollable and it destroys
the junction

Zener Breakdown:
This type of breakdown takes place in thin junctions where doping level is very high. When small
reverse voltage is applied a strong electric field will be developed across the junction which is strong
enough to break the covalent bonds as a result of which large charge carriers are generated resulting in
large reverse current causing breakdown of the junction called zener breakdown.

Zener Breakdown occurs at lower reverse voltage, it is sharp and sudden, it is controllable and it
will not destroy the junction.

Comparison of Zener and Avalanche Breakdown


Avalanche Breakdown Zener Breakdown
1. Occurs in lightly doped diodes 1. Occurs in Heavily doped diodes
2. Depletion region is large 2. Depletion region is small
3. Carrier Multi[placation is present 3. Carrier Multiplication is absent
4. It occurs at high reverse voltage 4. It occurs at low reverse voltage
5. It is controllable 5. It is uncontrollable
6. It is destructive 6. It is non destructive
7. It is Gradual 7. It is Sharp and Sudden

Prof. PRAVEEN CHITTI, JCE BELAGAVI


ZENER DIODE

Prof. PRAVEEN CHITTI, JCE BELAGAVI

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