DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
NAME : P.KUMAR BABU.
DESIGNATION :LECTURER IN E.C.E.
BRANCH : ELECTRONICS & COMMU. Engg.
INSTITUTION : G.P.W, SURYAPET.
YEAR/SEMESTER : III Sem
SUBJECT : ELECTRONICS-I.
SUBJECT CODE :EE-305.
TOPIC : SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES.
DURATION :50 min.
SUB TOPIC : OPERATION OF ZENER DIODE
AND CHARECTERISTICS.
TEACHING AIDS : PPT,ANIMATION,PHOTOS.
EE305.16 1
Recap

• What is forward bias and reverse bias of a diode

• What is avalanche and zener breakdowns

EE305.16 2
Objectives

Upon the completion of this topic the student

will be able to know

• Operation and characteristics of zener diode.

• How the zener acts as voltage Regulator.

EE305.16 3
ZENER DIODE

SYMBOL

Figure 6.1 Equivalent circuit

EE305.16 4
ZENER DIODE

• Is a silicon junction diode which is operated under

reverse bias and arranged to break down when a
specific reverse voltage is applied to it.

• The breakdown voltage depends upon the amount of

doping.

EE305.16 5
ZENER DIODE AS VOLTAGE REGULATOR

IL
RS
+

IZ
IS
UNREGULATED VS VZ RL VO
POWER
SUPPLY

Figure 6.2

EE305.16 6
ZENER DIODE AS VOLTAGE REGULATOR

• Supply voltage VS is less than zener breakdown voltage VZ ,

the zener diode does not conduct.

IS=IZ+IL

• If the load current increase then current through zener falls in

order to maintain constant current IS and output VO remains
constant.

• Load current decreases zener current increases such that IS is

kept constant.
EE305.16 7
• Supply voltage VS increases zener passes a large
current so extra voltage drop in the RS.

• Supply voltage VS decrease IZ falls and drop across

RS falls, so output voltage VO remains constant.

• Zener diode acts as voltage regulator.

EE305.16 8
ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

VZ

EE305.16 Figure 6.3 9

ZENER DIODE CHARACTERISTICS

• A properly doped crystal has a sharp break down voltage

is known as zener diode.

• The forward characteristics is simply that of an ordinary

forward biased junction diode.

• The break down depends up on amount of doping.

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• The diode is heavily doped then depletion layer will be
thin and break down of the junction will occur at a lower
reverse voltage.

• A lightly doped diode has a higher break down voltage.

• A zener diode is always reversely connected.

EE305.16 11
SUMMARY

We have discussed about

• Operation of zener diode.

• Zener as voltage regulator.

• V-I Characteristics of zener.

EE305.16 12
1. A zener diode

(a) Has a high forward-voltage rating

(c) Has a sharp breakdown voltage

(e) Is useful as an amplifier

(g) Has a negative resistance

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2. When a zener diode is heavily doped

(a) The depletion layer is very narrow

(c) There is no depletion layer

(e) The depletion layer is wide

(g) none

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2. The zener effect is predominant for break down
voltages less than

(a) 4V

(c) 6V

(e) In between 4v and 6v

(g) None

EE305.16 15
 Frequently asked questions

1. Explain the operation of a zener diode.

3. Draw the V-I characteristics of a zener diode and

explain.

5. Draw the circuit of a simple zener regulator and

explain its working.

EE305.16 16