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pokaymahn said:I am incredibly confused, do you have any external resources I could use to learn more about zener diodes?
Studiot said:It is very simple - at its simplest it is just two resistors in series with the input voltage connected across them.
"The voltage dropped across the resistor in a circuit consisting of a single resistor and a voltage source is the total voltage across the circuit and is equal to the applied voltage."
pokaymahn said:Wait what? How is that wrong? "The voltage dropped across the resistor in a circuit consisting of a single resistor and a voltage source is the total voltage across the circuit and is equal to the applied voltage."
http://www.tpub.com/neets/book1/chapter3/1-12.htm
And all the components use a certain voltage which leaves less for the rest.
A Zener diode is a type of semiconductor diode that is designed to operate in reverse breakdown voltage. This means that the diode allows current to flow in the reverse direction when a certain voltage threshold, known as the Zener voltage, is reached. This property makes Zener diodes useful for voltage regulation and protection in electronic circuits.
A Zener diode works by utilizing a phenomenon called Zener breakdown. When the reverse voltage applied across the diode reaches the Zener voltage, a large number of electrons are freed from the valence band, allowing current to flow in the reverse direction. This creates a constant voltage drop across the diode, making it useful for voltage regulation.
Zener diodes have a variety of applications in electronic circuits. They are commonly used for voltage regulation, as they can maintain a constant voltage even when the input voltage changes. Zener diodes are also used for overvoltage protection, as they can prevent damage to sensitive components by limiting the voltage. They are also used in switching circuits, oscillators, and voltage references.
When choosing a Zener diode for your circuit, there are a few key parameters to consider. The most important is the Zener voltage, which should be slightly higher than the desired output voltage. You should also consider the maximum reverse current and power dissipation, as well as the diode's breakdown voltage and temperature coefficient. It is important to select a Zener diode with appropriate ratings to ensure reliable operation in your circuit.
While Zener diodes are designed for reverse breakdown, they can also be used in forward bias. However, in this mode of operation, the Zener diode behaves like a normal diode and does not exhibit its characteristic Zener breakdown behavior. Instead, it has a normal forward voltage drop of around 0.6-0.7V. Therefore, it is not recommended to use a Zener diode in forward bias as it will not function as intended.