Zener diode As A Voltage Regulator

Zener diode :

In the reverse bias pn-junction, it has been noted that when the reverse voltage
applied to the pn-junction increases, at a critical voltage called as breakdown
voltage the reverse current increases sharply to a high value. The breakdown
region is the knee of the reverse characteristics as shown in figure.


The satisfactory explanation of this breakdown of the junction was first given by
the American scientist C. Zener. Therefore, breakdown voltage is sometimes called
the Zener voltage and the sudden increase in current is called Zener current. The
breakdown or Zener voltage depends upon the amount of doping. If the diode is
heavily doped, depletion layer will be thin and consequently the breakdown of the
junction will occur at a lower reverse voltage. On the other hand, a lightly doped
diode has a higher breakdown voltage. When an ordinary pn-junction diode is
properly doped so that it has a sharp breakdown voltage is called as Zener diode.

Definition: "A properly doped pn-jinction diode which has a sharp breakdown
voltage is called a Zener diode."

The symbol of Zener diode is as shwon in following figure.



It should be noted that, it is just like an ordinary diode except that the bar is turned
into Z-shape. The following points should be noted about the

Zener diode :

1. A Zener diode is always reverse connected, i.e. it is reverse biased.

2. A Zener diode has sharp breakdown voltage, called Zener voltage (V
z
).

3. When forward biased, its characteristics are just those of an ordinary diode.
A large current flows through zener diode at breakdown because of two effects
called as zener effect and avalanche effect.

Zener effect : When applied reverse voltage is breakdown voltage or more, large
number of electron hole pairs are generated because they are pulled from covalent
bonds therefore current suddenly increases this is called as zener effect.

Avalanche effect: At breakdown voltage minority current carriers are accelerated
in the depletion layer. When they are accelerate, collision with other atoms takes
place. This generates new electrons which are again accelerated so more atoms
gets ionized and thus a bunch of electrons or a avalanche of electrons is produced
which increases the reverse current through zener. This is called as avalanche
effect.

Zener diode as a voltage regulator :

A Zener diode can be used as a voltage regulator to provide a constant voltage
from a source whose voltage may vary over sufficient range. The circuit diagram of
use of Zener diode as a voltage regular is as shown in following figure.(a)
The Zener diode of Zener voltage V
z
is reverese Connected across the load
across which constant output is desired. The series resistance R absorbs the output
voltage fluctuations so as tq maintain constant voltage across the load. It may be
noted that the Zener will maintain constant V
z
(= V
0
) across the load so long
as the input voltage does not fall below V
z
. When the circuit is properly designed,
the load voltage V
0
remains constant (equal to V
z
) even though the input voltage Vi
and load resistance may vary over a wide range.


Suppose the input voltage increases. Since the Zener is in the breakdown
region, the Zener diode is equivalent to a battery V
z
as shown in figure (b).
It is clear that output voltage remains constant at V
z
(= V
0
). The excess
voltage is dropped across the series resistance R. This will cause an increase
in the .value of total current I. The Zener will conduct the increase of current
in I while the load current remains constant. Hence, output voltage V
0
remains constant irrespective of the change in the input voltage V
i
.
Now suppose that the input voltage is constant but the load resistance
decreases, this will cause an increase in load current. The extra current
cannot come from the source because drop in R (and hence source current
I) will not change as the Zener is within its regulating range. The additional
load current 'will come from a decrease in Zener current I
z
. Consequently,
the output voltage stays at constant value.
Voltage drop across R = V
i
- V
0
and current through R is I = I
z
+ I
L


Applying Ohm's law we have,