The difference between the avalanche diode (which has a reverse breakdown above about 6.2 V) and the Zener is that the channel length of the former exceeds the "mean free path" of the electrons, so there are collisions between them on the way out. The only practical difference is that the two types have temperature coefficients of opposite polarities.
An avalanche breakdown is going to keep electricity running until the entire system burns up. A zener breakdown is going to be a controlled breakdown. Zener will shut down the electricity at the time of the breakdown.
The difference is in the doping levels. Zener is heavy doping so the depletion gap is very thin and too close to conduct by ionisation. Avalanche is lightly doped so the gap is bigger and conduction also includes ionisation and they work at higher range of voltages.
A: Avalanche usually occurs at hi voltage and it is not predictable but manufactures guaranty a voltage that cannot be exceeded or it will breakdown that occurs then the device may self destroy itself by exceeding the power dissipation Zeners breakdown are very predictable for the simple reason that they are manufacture that way once they reach the prescribed voltage they do breakdown and maintain that voltage with quite of bit of input voltage variation.
None. Different names of same phenomena in semiconductor devices.
a zener regulator must sustain its own current to function plus the load currents IC regulator on the other hand will require very little current to sustain regulation plus there is a gain regulation that a zener do not have.
because of its high break down voltage.
A: Yes it does since the break down is not exactly very linear.
The breakdown voltage point for a Zener diode is 17 volts
Zener breakdown is the phenomena wherein the Zener diode experiences reverse breakdown at a much lower voltage than a normal diode, which may breakdown in excess of 100 volts, depending on the type. This is useful because the Zener will hold the same voltage after breakdown, regardless of the input voltage, making them excellent for voltage controlled switches and references.
Zener diode is heavily doped pn junction diode.
ZENER DIODE IS MADE TO REVERSE BREAK OVER AT A CERTAIN VOLTAGE the break over knee is not exactly sharp especially in low voltage zeners. and p-n means positive and negative junction
The difference between the pn-junction diode and the zener diode is that the pn-junction diode is used for rectification while the zener diode is used for rectification and stabilization. Also, the zener diode can function in the breakdown region while the pn-juntion diode can not function in that regime.
Avalanche is when you surpass the negative bias voltage threshold and the zener breaks, thermal breakdown would be putting too much current or voltage across the zener and burning it out.
The difference is , the break down in a zener is desirable, well designed, expected, healthy and designed for a particular value. After breakdown, it can and is expected to maintain that condition for a long time. zener is optimized to work in this region.They are designed to have very low breakdown voltages. In contrast, the break down in a rectifier diode is undesirable, not well designed, not respected. This diode is optimized to work in the rectifier region and optimized for that. Breakdown region is avoided in normal operation. The breakdown voltage is normally very high, above 100 volts.
a zener regulator must sustain its own current to function plus the load currents IC regulator on the other hand will require very little current to sustain regulation plus there is a gain regulation that a zener do not have.
Zener diodes and ordinary junction diodes are similar, except that zener diodes have additional doping to bring their reverse breakdown voltage into a more usable value, and to allow them to not destructively avalanche when they do conduct in the reverse direction.
what is the difference between reverse characteristics of zener diode and a practical diode ?
Since they are in parallel, the 3.3V zener diode will "kick in" first when you reach 3.3V, and the circuit will pretty much act the same as if the 7V zener diode isn't there at all.
should be in question, the difference between - not the different. the difference is that zener barriers can be used where circuit allows, but galvanic separators can be used where theres an ex environments I think.
Zener predicatively will break down at a voltage as manufactured and sustain that voltage as long as the source can provide the current. The limitation is the zener power dissipation for each device. It Regulates by maintaining that breakdown voltage until its current is reduced or its break down voltage is reduced.
because of its high break down voltage.