ener Diode: Basic Operation and

Applications
12/16/2015 | BY JIA (RABIYYA KHAN)

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.

Zener diode operation

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

Zener diode in overvoltage 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