What is the difference between rectifier diode and zener diode?

Answer 1

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.

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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.

Answer 2

When a diode is connected in a Reverse Bias condition, a positive voltage is applied to the N-type material and a negative voltage is applied to the P-type material.

A zener diode is also a type of diode that allows reverse current to flow through it, if the voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage known as 'Zener Voltage.

Answer 3

Diode is a pn junction device which conducts (current flow)in forward direction.

Zener diode is a device in which current flows in forward direction as well as in reverse direction.For a Zener diode,current flows in reverse direction if the voltage is larger than the breakdown voltage,where the breakdown voltage is the minimum reverse voltage to make the diode conduct in reverse.

Answer 4

a rectifier conducts in the forward direction.

a zener conducts in the reverse direction in zener breakdown mode.