How does a Zener diode work?

How does a Zener diode work?

The Zener diodes are commonly used to regulate voltage in a circuit. When reverse connected in parallel with a variable voltage source, a zener-diode becomes conductive when the voltage reaches the avalanche voltage of the diode. It then maintains the voltage at this value.

What is the working principle of a diode?

When a diode allows current to flow is forward biased. When a diode is in reverse bias, it acts as an insulator and prevents current from flowing. Strange but true: the arrow symbol of the diode points in the opposite direction to that of the flow of electrons.

How to power a diode?

So that each diode (LED) to operate, a voltage across it of approximately 3 Volt is required. If the series includes 5 diodes, for example, the voltage across it should be about 15 Volt. To provide this regulated current under a sufficient voltage, LEC sets up an electronic module called a driver.

What are the effects of a Zener diode?

Both effects work for intermediate voltages. Zener effect: the voltage across the terminals of the zener diode drops with temperature. Here, Vz < 5V. Simultaneous Zener effect + avalanche effect: the voltage across the diode depends little on temperature. For a given current, it is even constant.

How to calculate the avalanche effect of a Zener diode?

Simultaneous Zener effect + avalanche effect: the voltage across the diode depends little on temperature. For a given current, it is even constant. This property is interesting for montages. Here, Vz = 5V to 6V. Avalanche effect: the voltage across the zener diode increases with temperature.

What is Zener Diode?

Zener diode. A Zener diode is an assembly of two semiconductors whose electrical properties were discovered by the American physicist Clarence Zener. Unlike a conventional diode which only lets the electric current flow in one direction, the forward direction, Zener diodes are designed to let…

What is the difference between a Zener diode and a cathode?

The Zener diode is easily recognizable on an electrical diagram because the symbol is similar to a diode, unlike the side of the cathode which looks like an inverted Z.