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zener diode
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What is Zener diode function?
Zener diodes are widely used as voltage references and as shunt regulators to regulate the voltage across small circuits. When connected in parallel with a variable voltage source so that it is reverse biased, aZener diode conducts when the voltage reaches the diode's reverse breakdown voltage.
What is avalanche voltage?
Avalanche voltage is the voltage value that causes a reverse-biased semiconductor junction to break down and conduct. Sometimes this is undesirable. A rectifier diode in a power supply that avalanches has failed. It can also be desirable. A Zener diode used as a regulator works by avalaching at a specific voltage, thus limiting the circuit voltage at that level.
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.
Why a normal diode in forward biased condition is not used as voltage regulator?
Because the voltage/current curve is not as steep as we would like and because the diode is too sensitive to thermal effects in this area.
Can the barrier voltage of a diode act as a voltage source?
No, we don not consider the barrier voltage of a diode to be able to act as a voltage source. The barrier voltage arises during construction of the p-n junction, and it results from charge separation. Separating charges results in voltage, but this difference of potential cannot be tapped as a voltage source because it cannot supply current the way we understand conventional voltage sources are able do.
What is Zener diode function?
Zener diodes are widely used as voltage references and as shunt regulators to regulate the voltage across small circuits. When connected in parallel with a variable voltage source so that it is reverse biased, aZener diode conducts when the voltage reaches the diode's reverse breakdown voltage.
What is avalanche voltage?
Avalanche voltage is the voltage value that causes a reverse-biased semiconductor junction to break down and conduct. Sometimes this is undesirable. A rectifier diode in a power supply that avalanches has failed. It can also be desirable. A Zener diode used as a regulator works by avalaching at a specific voltage, thus limiting the circuit voltage at that level.
What is zener diode and for what it is used?
Zener Diode is nothing but a Crystal P-n junction diode in which the P type and n-type layers are heavily doped.Zener diode is mainly used as voltage regulator its forward charaqcteristic is same as normal p-n junsction diode but its reverse Characteristic is different that when the reverse region reaches knee region in spite of changes in current the voltage remains the same
Why zener diode is used as voltage regulator?
A: At one time it was used for a regulator because in the reverse voltage breakdown it has the characteristic of keeping the voltage constant as voltage is increased. IT has being replaced by many three terminal regulator with much better regulation and temperature coefficient
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.
Why zener diode can be used as a voltage regulater?
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.
PN junction diode made of silicon is the value of voltage depends exponentially on the current through the diode.?
No, the voltage across a silicon PN junction diode does not depend exponentially on the current through the diode. The relationship between voltage and current in a PN junction diode is described by the diode equation, which is an exponential relationship between current and the voltage across the diode. However, this relationship depends on factors such as the temperature and doping levels of the diode, in addition to the material used.
Why a normal diode in forward biased condition is not used as voltage regulator?
Because the voltage/current curve is not as steep as we would like and because the diode is too sensitive to thermal effects in this area.
What does it means when we say-diode is specially designed to operate under reverse bias in breakdown region?
You are talking about a special type of diode called a zener diode which is designed, using special junction doping, to allow controllable reverse bias operation at a reduced breakdown voltage with a much sharper knee point curve than its normal forward breakdown curve. This allows the diode to be used as a voltage regulator. Normally, a diode's reverse breakdown curve is such that, at reverse breakdown, it avalanches and, without current limits in place, will self destruct. The zener diode, on the other hand, will operate in reverse much the same as it does in forward, just at a different voltage, and with a much sharper current to voltage curve, making it highly suitable as a voltage regulator.
Why zener diode used as voltage regulator?
It has a very sharp reverse breakdown voltage curve and is not damaged by the reverse current, as some normal diodes might be.
What does the term PIV for a diode refer to?
Peak Inverse Voltage, the maximum reverse bias (inverse) voltage that can be applied to the diode without damaging or destroying it. The work "peak" is used to remind you that when using the diode to rectify AC (or arbitrary waveforms) you must use the peak voltage, not the RMS voltage.
Can the barrier voltage of a diode act as a voltage source?
No, we don not consider the barrier voltage of a diode to be able to act as a voltage source. The barrier voltage arises during construction of the p-n junction, and it results from charge separation. Separating charges results in voltage, but this difference of potential cannot be tapped as a voltage source because it cannot supply current the way we understand conventional voltage sources are able do.
