How is zener diode different from p-n junction diode?

Answer 1

A p-n junction diode is made of a crystal of semiconductor. Impurities are added to it to create a region on one side that contains negative charge carriers (electrons), called n-type semiconductor, and a region on the other side that contains positive charge carriers (holes), called p-type semiconductor.

A Zener diode contains a heavily doped pn junction allowing electrons to tunnel from the valence band of the p-type material to the conduction band of the n-type material. A reverse biased Zener diode will exhibit a controlled breakdown and let the current flow to keep the voltage across the Zener diode at the Zener voltage.

Answer 2

Zener diode is a special type of diode .an ordinery diode doesnt conducts current (but leakage current in the range of micro amps flows ) in reverse biased condition.as we increase reverse voltage diode gets damaged its due to very less doping.a zener diode is heavily doped ,and operates in reversed biased condition(in forward bias it acts as an ordinery diode) to regulate its terminal voltage.

Answer 3

Rectifier diodes are typically used to convert AC to DC because they only conduct during half of the AC wave (positive or negative level).

Zener diodes are typically used to regulate or clamp a voltage to a known value to protect components in the circuit. For example, if a designer wants to ensure that the voltage at a specific point in a circuit does not exceed 6.8V, a zener could be used. If the voltage is less than 6.8V, the zener will not conduct. Once the voltage exceeds 6.8V, the zener will begin to conduct and clamp that point in the circuit to 6.8V. A resistor is typcially connected in series with the zener diode to drop the voltage that exceeds the zener voltage. In the example provided, if the voltage increases to 10V, the zener would drop 6.8V and the resistor would drop 3.2V.

Answer 4

A zener diode id different from a junction diode because it can function in the breakdown region as a regulator while the junction diode signifies a short circuit in that region.

Answer 5

Normal Diode works in Forward Bias and Zener Diode works in reverse bias region.