What is Zener diode and its IV characteristics?
A Zener diode operates just like a normal diode when it is forward-biased. However, a small leakage current flows through the diode when connected in reverse biased mode. As the reverse voltage increases to the predetermined breakdown voltage (Vz), current starts flowing through the diode.
What is IZK and IZM in Zener diode?
Pd means power dissipation, Vz means Zener voltage, Izk, means minimum knee current and Izm means maximum Zener current. Also understand that different acronyms and names for Zener diode ratings often are used. Zener voltage is also referred to as the Zener breakdown voltage or the Zener avalanche voltage.
How do I find Izm?
Power= voltage x current. If a a zener diode has a zener voltage, VZ of 5.1W, you can use the power rating to find out how much current can flow through the diode by the formula, IZM= PZM/VZ. 3.
What is the value of IL and Iz?
As the load current IL decreases, the zener current IZ will increase to such a value that IZ + IL = 110 mA. Note that if load resistance is open-circuited, then IL = 0 and zener current becomes 110 mA.
What is the main application of Zener diode?
Zener diodes are used for voltage regulation, as reference elements, surge suppressors, and in switching applications and clipper circuits. The load voltage equals breakdown voltage VZ of the diode. The series resistor limits the current through the diode and drops the excess voltage when the diode is conducting.
What is the maximum zener current?
The maximum current is calculated by dividing the power rating by the Zener voltage: I=P/V = 3W/12V = 0.25A. In this case, the datasheet specifies 250 mA as the maximum current, so the calculation wasn’t necessary.
What is knee current?
Zener Knee Current: The reverse current that flows through the zener diode while at the break-down voltage. Zener current shown as Iz in the data sheet. Zener Voltage: The break-down voltage of a zener diode.
What are the characteristics of Zener diodes?
This characteristic is graphically highlighted in the below figure which indicates that above the ‘Zener voltage’ the reverse voltage continues to be almost constant even with variations in reverse current. As a result Zener diodes are often used for getting a constant voltage drop, or reference voltage, with their internal resistance.
What happens when reverse voltage is applied to a Zener diode?
But when the reverse voltage is applied across the Zener diode, such that the reverse voltage rises beyond the predetermined rating, breakdown occurs on the Zener diode. The electric current starts to flow in the reverse direction at the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode. The graph represents that the Zener diode has resistance.
What is the configuration of PIN diode?
Pin configuration. anode and cathode. Electronic symbol. A Zener diode is a special type of diode designed to reliably allow current to flow “backwards” when a certain set reverse voltage, known as the Zener voltage, is reached. Zener diodes are manufactured with a great variety of Zener voltages and some are even variable.
What is Zener current and Zener voltage?
The voltage at which zener breakdown occurs is called zener voltage and the sudden increase in current is called zener current. A normal p-n junction diode does not operate in breakdown region because the excess current permanently damages the diode.