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The zener diode can be used as a voltage regulator because its reverse bias (technically, reverse breakdown) current to voltage curve is particularly steep, resulting in very little voltage change even when current changes. Any diode, actually, exhibits this steep curve in the forward direction, but it is steeper in the reverse direction in zeners, making them more suitable for this application.
This works because of the doping that is used in the PN junction, altering the tunneling behavior of electrons from the P side valence band to the N side conduction band. This allows controlled breakdown, without avalanche.
The zener diode can be used as a voltage regulator because in the break-down region, the voltage of the zener diode becomes constant no matter how high the current goes.
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Can zener diode used as rectifier?
Yes **************************************** Yes they can but there are pitfalls. A normal diode will have a high reverse breakdown voltage. A zener has a relatively low breakdown voltage (its "zener"voltage). If a zener diode is used as a rectifier it must have a zener voltage at least twice the peak of the applied a.c.
What is the function of zener?
zener diode is a revers bias diode which used for voltage regulation.
What is the purpose of the zener diode in a power supply?
to limit the voltage or regulate the same.
Is it pn junction diode used as voltage regulator?
zener diode
When current through a zener diode increases by a factor of 2 by what factor does the voltage across the zener diode increase?
If the zener diode is in zener breakdown the voltage across the zener diode remains constant regardless of current (for the ideal zener diode). Real zener diodes have parasitic resistance that causes the voltage across the zener diode to increase slightly with increased current, but due to temperature dependant variations in this parasitic resistance as well as temperature dependant variations in the zener breakdown voltage, this change in voltage in real zener diodes cannot be described by a simple linear factor.
Why zener diode is called reference diode?
They are frequently used to provide a voltage reference in voltage regulators.
Zener diode application?
A zener diode are used in small circuits as shunt regulators to control voltage. It may also be used as voltage references and as surge protectors to limit transient spikes in voltage.
What is the difference between rectifier diode and zener diode?
A: They are both diodes. The difference lies in the application. A rectifier is used to rectify AC current into pulsating current. The zener diode is used to regulate a voltage source to the zener voltage when connected in the reverse direction. ************************************************************** If you look at the characteristic curves of a rectifier diode and a zener diode, you will see that they are similar, but the reverse curve of the zener has a much sharper bend at what is called the "knee". It is at this point on the zener's curve at which it operates.
What type of current is used in zener diode?
A zener diode passes drect current, and the point of a zener diode is that the voltage across it stays nearly constant over a range of different currents, so it can provide a supply of stabilised voltage.
Can a lower voltage zener diode be used?
It depends on the design of the circuit.
What is V-I characteristics of zener diode?
Work in reverse bias.(breakdown at a particular voltage to keep the volt. constant so used as voltage regulator) same as diode when forward biased.
Is zener diode a voltage amplifier or currentlimitig circuit or osilator circuit?
The zener diode is neither a voltage amplifier nor a current limiting device but can be used in oscillator circuits to supply a constant output voltage.
