Technical University Of Mombasa

Faculty of Engineering And Technology

Mechanical And Automotive Engineering

Bachelor Of Science In Mechanical Engineering

Name: Emmanuel Kipkorir

Reg No: Bmse/111J/2017

Assignment:Zener diode

Date: 28/06/2021

INTRODUCTION
A Zener diode is a silicon semiconductor device that permits current to flow in either a forward or
reverse direction. The diode consists of a special, heavily doped p-n junction, designed to conduct in the
reverse direction when a certain specified voltage is reached.

The Zener diode has a well-defined reverse-breakdown voltage, at which it starts conducting current,
and continues operating continuously in the reverse-bias mode without getting damaged. Additionally,
the voltage drop across the diode remains constant over a wide range of voltages, a feature that makes
Zener diodes suitable for use in voltage regulation.

Principle operation of a zener diode

The Zener diode operates just like the normal diode when in the forward-bias mode, and has a turn-on
voltage of between 0.3 and 0.7 V. However, when connected in the reverse mode, which is usual in most
of its applications, a small leakage current may flow. As the reverse voltage increases to the
predetermined breakdown voltage (Vz), a current starts flowing through the diode. The current increases
to a maximum, which is determined by the series resistor, after which it stabilizes and remains constant
over a wide range of applied voltage.
Figure 1: Zener diode IV characteristics

Zener breakdown

The breakdown is either due to the Zener breakdown effect that occurs below 5.5 V, or impact ionization
that occurs above 5.5 V. Both mechanisms result in the same behavior and do not require different
circuitry; however, each mechanism has a different temperature coefficient.

The Zener effect has a negative temperature coefficient while the impact effect experiences a positive
coefficient. The two temperature effects are almost equal at 5.5 V and cancel out each other to make the
Zener diodes rated at around 5.5 V the most stable over a wide range of temperature conditions.

Zener diode specifications

Zener diodes vary in specifications such as nominal working voltage, power dissipation, maximum
reverse current, and packaging. Some commonly used specifications include:

· Voltage Vz: The Zener voltage refers to the reverse breakdown voltage—2.4 V to about 200 V;
can go up to 1 kV while the maximum for the surface-mounted device (SMD) is about 47 V).

· Current Iz (max.): Maximum current at the rated Zener voltage Vz—200 uA to 200 A).
 · Current Iz (min.): Minimum current required for the diode to break down—5 mA and 10 mA.

· Power rating: The maximum power the Zener diode can dissipate; given by the product of
voltage across the diode and the current flowing through. Typical values are 400 mW, 500 mW, 1
W, and 5 W; for surface mounted, 200 mW, 350 mW, 500 mW, and 1 W are typical.

· Voltage tolerance: Typically ±5%.

· Temperature stability: Diodes around 5 V have the best stability.

· Package: Leaded devices and the surface mount either as discrete devices or within integrated
circuits.

· Zener resistance (Rz): The diode exhibits some resistance as evident from the IV characteristics.

Figure 2: Zener diode resistance

Zener diode applications

Zener diodes are used for voltage regulation, as reference elements, surge suppressors, and in switching
applications and clipper circuits.

Voltage regulator

The load voltage equals breakdown voltage VZ of the diode. The series resistor limits the current through
the diode and drops the excess voltage when the diode is conducting.
Figure 3: Zener diode shunt regulator

Voltage overload protection

If the input voltage increases to a value higher than the Zener breakdown voltage, current flows through
the diode and create a voltage drop across the resistor; this triggers the SCR and creates a short circuit to
the ground. The short circuit opens up the fuse and disconnects the load from the supply.
Figure 4: SCR overvoltage crowbar circuit

Zener Diode Clipping Circuits

Zener diodes are used to modify or shape AC waveform clipping circuits. The clipping circuit limits or
clips off parts of one or both of the half cycles of an AC waveform to shape the waveform or provide
protection.
 Figure 5:
Zener diode clipping circuits

References

1.https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/zener-diode-basic-operation-and-applications#:~:text=A
%20Zener%20diode%20is%20a,certain%20specified%20voltage%20is%20reached.

2.Mehta V.K & Mehta R.(2013), Principles of Electronics,S.Chand,New Delhi.ISBN:9788121924504

3.Muhammad H.Rashid (2013), Power Electronics:Circuits, Devices and Applications,Pearson;4th

edition.ISBN:978-0133125900