The zener region describes the area on the performance curve (a graph of voltage across versus current through the junction) of a zener diode. The diode acts like a "regular" diode in the forward biased direction. When some 0.7 volts or so is reached, forward current begins to climb rapidly as voltage is increased (for silicon diodes.) But in the reverse direction recall that as the diode is reverse biased, a small amount of current will flow (because of minority carriers). This "trickle" of current will continue until the "zener voltage" is reached, and then the diode will begin to conduct heavily. On the graph, this is the zener region. Zener diodes can be made to breakdown at a specific voltage, and their ability to conduct reverse current can be increased by manufacturing a larger diode. That means there are a range of voltages and wattages of zener diodes available. Wikipedia has more information and that graph. Use the link provided to get there.
The zener diode protects the meter by stabilizing the voltage when it goes in to the breakdown region.
Zener diodes are normally operated in their reverse breakdown voltage curve.
zener resistance of a zener diode is the resistance of the zener diode but which is the resistance of a diode
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.
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.
The function of a zener diode is for it to act as a voltage regulator in the breakdown region.
The zener diode protects the meter by stabilizing the voltage when it goes in to the breakdown region.
Zener diodes are normally operated in their reverse breakdown voltage curve.
Reverse Bias
This space is for answering "http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_voltage_remain_constant_in_the_reverse_breakdown_region_in_a_zener_diode" Why does voltage remain constant in the reverse breakdown region in a zener diode?
The maximum reverse bias potential that can be applied to a Zener diode before it enters the Zener region is called the "Zener breakdown voltage" or "Zener voltage." This is the point at which the diode begins to conduct in reverse bias due to the Zener effect, allowing it to stabilize voltage across a load. Exceeding this voltage can lead to thermal runaway or damage if not properly managed.
zener diode is a special type of pn junction diode that work in breakdown region . There are two types of brekdowns in zener i.e avlanche breakdown and zener breakdown depending on the doping concentration. A zener diode in an on state can be considered as a voltage source ,equal to its zener voltage n hence act as an voltage regulator
zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown.
In the zener region of a diode, there is a relatively flat, low slope line for voltage as a function of current. As a result, increasing current in the zener region does not result in a significant increase in voltage - hence, voltage stability.
zener resistance of a zener diode is the resistance of the zener diode but which is the resistance of a diode
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.
The smallest load resistor that can be used while maintaining regulation in a zener diode regulator is determined by the zener diode's minimum load current (I_Z(min)) and the zener voltage (V_Z). The load resistor (R_L) must be calculated using Ohm's law, where R_L = V_Z / I_L, ensuring that I_L is at least equal to I_Z(min) to keep the zener in the breakdown region. If the load current falls below this threshold, the zener diode will not regulate the output voltage effectively.