3.

1 ZENER DIODES

VOLTAGE REGULATION
A voltage regulator circuit automatically maintains the output voltage of a power supply constant, regardless of - a change in the load - a change in the source voltage

ZENER DIODES
The simplest of all voltage regulators is the zener diode voltage regulator. A zener diode is a special diode that is optimized for operation in the breakdown region.

ZENER DIODE CIRCUIT

The zener diode is typically connected

reverse biased, in parallel with the load. Resistor Rs limits current to zener.

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

In the forward region, the zener diode acts like a regular silicon diode, with a 0.7 volt drop when it conducts.

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

In the reverse bias region, a reverse leakage current flows until the breakdown voltage is reached. At this point, the reverse current, called zener current Iz, increases sharply.

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

Voltage after breakdown is also called zener voltage Vz. Vz remains nearly a constant, even though current Iz varies considerably.

ZENER DIODE RATINGS

A zener spec sheet typically provides - the maximum power rating Pz - the nominal zener voltage Vz at test current IzT - the maximum DC zener current IzM

Example:
- 1N752 has a power rating of 500mW, a nominal zener voltage of 5.6V at a test current of 20 mA, a maximum zener current of 80 mA.

ZENER DIODE CIRCUIT EXAMPLE

In a zener diode voltage regulator circuit, VDC(IN) = 20V, Vz = 9V, Rs = 82, RL = 100 Q: Calculate IL. A: IL = VL/RL = VZ/RL = 9V/100 = 90 mA

82

20V

9V

100

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

Q: Calculate IT. A: IT = VRs/Rs = [VDC(IN) - Vz]/Rs = [20 - 9]/82 = 134 mA

(CONTD)

82

20V

9V

100

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

Q: Calculate Iz A: Iz = IT - IL = 134mA - 90mA = 44mA

(CONTD)

82

20V

9V

100

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

(CONTD)

Q: If zener Pz = 500mW, is Iz safe ? A: IzM = Pz / Vz = 500 mW / 9V = 55 mA Since circuit Iz = 44 mA (< 55mA), zener is safe

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

(CONTD)

Q: Suppose load changes from 100 to 200 . Find new IL, Iz, IT. Is Iz safe ? A: IL = VL/RL = VZ/RL = 9V/200 = 45 mA

20V

9V

200

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

(CONTD)

A: IT = VRs/Rs = [VDC(IN) - Vz]/Rs = [20 - 9]/82 = 134 mA (no change) Iz = IT - IL = 134mA - 45mA = 89mA Since IzM = 55mA, zener is not safe.

20V

9V

200

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

(CONTD)

Q: Suppose load changes from 100 to 80 . Find new IL, Iz, IT. Is Iz safe ? A: IL = VL/RL = VZ/RL = 9V/80 = 112.5 mA

20V

9V

80

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

(CONTD)

A: IT = VRs/Rs = [VDC(IN) - Vz]/Rs = [20 - 9]/82 = 134 mA (no change) Iz = IT - IL = 134mA - 112.5mA = 21.5 mA Since IzM = 55 mA, zener is safe.

20V

9V

80

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

(CONTD)

Q: Suppose zener regulator circuit has no load connected, is Iz safe ? A: IT = VRs/Rs = [VDC(IN) - Vz]/Rs = [20 - 9]/82 = 134 mA (no change) Iz = IT = 134 mA this is very Unsafe

20V

9V

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

(CONTD)

Q: In the previous example, suppose VDC(IN) changes from 20V to 30V. Is Iz safe ? A: IL = 9V/100 = 90 mA IT = [30-9]/82 = 256 mA Iz = IT - IL = 256 mA - 90 mA = 166 mA Very Unsafe
82

30V

9V

100

ZENER DIODE EXAMPLE

(CONTD)

Q: Suppose VDC(IN) changes from 20V to 18V. Is Iz safe ? A: IL = 9V/100 = 90 mA IT = [18-9]/82 = 110 mA Iz = IT - IL = 110 mA - 90 mA = 20 mA Safe
82

18V

9V

100