Module 9

ZENER DIODES
By

Dr. Bernie Redoa

Reference: Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory by Boylestad & Nashelsky, 10th Ed

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Interpret the characteristic curves of a zener
diode.
2. Draw the equivalent circuit of a zener diode.
3. Explain how a zener diode produces a
constant level of dc voltage during reverse
bias condition.
4. Solve and analyze circuits with zener diodes.

I. REVIEW: Diode Characteristics

I. What is the Zener Region?

Zener region is where the
characteristic drops in an almost
vertical manner at a reverse-bias
potential denoted Vz.

The curve drops down and
away from the horizontal axis.

The current in the zener region
has a direction opposite to that of
a forward biased diode.

This region of unique
characteristics is employed in the
design of Zener diodes.
4

I. Comparison: Diode Conduction Direction

+

IZ

ID

VZ

VD

VR

(a) Zener
Diode

(b) Semiconductor
Diode

IR

(c) Resistive
Element

For semiconductor diode, the ON state will support a current in the

direction of the arrow in the symbol, for Zener diode the direction
of conduction is opposite to that of the arrow in the symbol.

The polarity of VZ and VD are the same as would be obtained if each
were a resistive element.

I. Comparison: Diode Conduction Direction

The location of the Zener region can be
controlled by varying the doping
levels.

An increase in doping that produces an
increase in the number of added
impurities, will decrease the Zener
potential.

+
VZ

IZ

Zener diodes are available having Zener

potentials of 1.8 V to 200 V with
power ratings from W to 50 W.

Because of its excellent temperature and
current capabilities, silicon is the
preferred material in the
manufacture of Zener diodes.
6

I. Zener Diode Characteristics

IZ

+
+
0.7 V

rZ

0.7 V

rZ

VZ

VR

0.7 V
10 A = IR

rZ = 8.5 = ZZT

0.7 V

rZ

VZ

0.25 mA = IZK

VZ

IZT = 12.5 mA

rZ = VZ / IZ

IZM = 32 mA
7

I. Zener Diode Characteristics

The Zener potential of a Zener diode is very sensitive to the temperature
of operation.
The temperature coefficient can be used to find the change in Zener
potential due to a change in temperature using the following equation.

TC =

VZ / VZ

X 100% / C

T1 - T0

where:
T1
T0

is the new temperature level

is room temperature in an enclosed cabinet (25C)

TC
VZ

is the temperature coefficient

is the nominal Zener potential at 25C

I. Zener Diode Characteristics

EXAMPLE: Analyze the 10-V Zener diode with temperature
coefficient of +0.072 (%/ C) if the temperature increased
to 100 C (the boiling point of water).
SOLUTION: Substituting to the equation, we obtain

VZ =
VZ =

TCVZ

(T1 - T0 )

100%
(0.072% / C) (10 V)

(100 C - 25 C )

100%

VZ = 0.54 V
VZ

= VZ + 0.54 V = 10.54 V
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II. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

The analysis of networks employing Zener diodes
is quite similar to the analysis of semiconductor
diodes in previous discussions:
1. Determine the state of the diode.
2. Substitute the appropriate model.
3. Determine other unknown quantities of the
network.
11

EXAMPLE: Zener Diodes

40 V

1. Determine the references

voltages provided by the
network which uses a white
LED to indicate that the
power is on. What is the
level of current through the
LED and the power
delivered by the supply.
How does the power
absorbed by the LED
compare to that of the 6-V
Zener diode?

1.3 k
White

Vo2
VZ1

6V
Vo1

Si

VZ2

3.3 V

12

EXAMPLE: Zener Diodes (ANSWER)

40 V

1. Determine the references

voltages provided by the
network which uses a
white LED to indicate that
the power is on. What is
the level of current through
the LED and the power
delivered by the supply.
How does the power
absorbed by the LED
compare to that of the 6-V
Zener diode?

1.3 k

ANSWERS:

White

Vo2
VZ1

6V

VZ2

= 4V

Vo2

= 10 V

IR = ILED = 20 mA
Vo1

Si

Vo1

Ps

= 800 mW

PLED

= 80 mW

PZ

= 120 mW

3.3 V

13

EXAMPLE: Zener Diodes

2. The network is designed to limit the voltage to 20 V during the
positive portion of the applied voltage and to 0 V for the negative
excursion of the applied voltage. Check its operation and plot the
waveform of the voltage across the system for the applied signal.
Assume the system has a very high input resistance so it will not
affect the behavior of the network.
R
Vi

60 V

+
t

-60 V

vi

VZ

20 V System

Si

14

EXAMPLE: Zener Diodes (ANSWER)

2. The network is designed to limit the voltage to 20 V during the
positive portion of the applied voltage and to 0 V for the negative
excursion of the applied voltage. Check its operation and plot the
waveform of the voltage across the system for the applied signal.
Assume the system has a very high input resistance so it will not
affect the behavior of the network.
Vi

Vo

60 V

60 V

vi

VZ

System

20 V

-60 V

20 V

Si

-60 V
15

III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

A. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit Vi and R fixed
+

VR

REQUIRED:

Determine VL, VR, IZ and PZ

1 k

IZ

+
+

vi

16 V

VZ = 10 V

RL

3 k

VL

PZM = 30 mW

16

III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

A. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit Vi and R fixed
STEP 1: Determine the state of the Zener diode by removing it from the
network and calculating the voltage across the resulting open circuit:
IR
R

By Voltage Divider Rule:

1 k

IZ

vi

16 V

SOLUTION:

IL

+
RL

3 k

VL

PZM = 30 mW

V = VL =

RLVi
R + RL

(3 k) (16 V)
V=
1k + 3k
V = 12 V

If V VZ, the zener diode is ON

If V < VZ, the zener diode is OFF

Since V=12 V is greater than

VZ=10 V, diode is in the ON
state

17

III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

A. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit Vi and R fixed
STEP 2: Substitute the appropriate equivalent circuit and solve for the
desired unknowns:
SOLUTION:
V = V = 10 V
+

VR

IR

R
1 k

16 V

IL =

+
VZ

10 V

RL

3 k VL

PZM = 30 mW

VR = Vi - VL = 16 V - 10 V = 6 V

IZ

vi

IL

IR =

VL
RL
VR
R

10 V
=

3 k

= 3.33 mA

6V
=

1 k

= 6 mA

IZ = IR - IL = 6 mA - 3.33 mA
IZ = 2.67 mA

PZ = VZ IZ = (10 V) (2.67 mA ) = 26.7 mW

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III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

B. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit
Fixed Vi , Variable R
+

VR

IR

IL

R
1 k

REQUIRED:
Determine the range of RL
and IL that will result in VRL
being maintained at 10 V

IZ

+
+

vi

50 V

VZ = 10 V
IZM = 32 mA

RL

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III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

B. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit
Fixed Vi , Variable R
STEP 1: Determine the minimum load resistance that will turn the zener
diode ON (i.e., the value of RL that will result in load voltage VL = VZ)
+

VR

IR

R
1 k

50 V

RLVi
R + RL

Solving for RL :

+
VZ = 10 V
IZM = 32 mA

SOLUTION:

VL = VZ =

IZ

vi

IL

RL

RLmin =

RVZ
Vi - VZ
(1 k) (10 V)

RLmin =
If RL > RLmin, the zener diode is ON

50 V - 10 V

RLmin = 250
20

III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

B. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit
Fixed Vi , Variable R
SOLUTION:
Voltage across the resistor R:
+

VR

IR

R
1 k

IZ

vi

50 V

IL

VR = Vi - VZ = 50 V 10 V
VR = 40 V
To get the magnitude of IR

+
VZ = 10 V
IZM = 32 mA

RL

IR =

VR
R

40 V

1 k

= 40 mA

To get the minimum level of IL

ILmin = IR - IZM = 40 mA 32 mA
ILmin = 8 mA
If RL > RLmin, the zener diode is ON
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III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

B. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit
Fixed Vi , Variable R
SOLUTION:
+

VR

Determining the maximum value of RL

IR

R
1 k

IZ

vi

50 V

IL

10 V

ILmin

8 mA

RLmax = 1.25 k

+
VZ = 10 V
IZM = 32 mA

RLmax =

VZ

RL

To get the Pmax

Pmax = VZ IZM = (10 V) (32 mA)

Pmax = 320 mW
If RL > RLmin, the zener diode is ON
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III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

C. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit
Fixed RL , Variable Vi
+

VR
R

IR

220

IL

REQUIRED:

IZ
+
+

vi

VZ = 20 V
IZM = 60 mA

RL

Determine the range of

values of Vi that will
maintain the Zener diode on
the ON state.

1.2 k VL

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III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

C. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit
Fixed RL , Variable Vi
For fixed values of RL, the voltage Vi must be sufficiently large to turn
the zener diode ON.
RLVi
VR +
IR
VL = VZ =
IL
R
R + RL
+

220

IZ
+
+

vi

VZ = 20 V
IZM = 60 mA

RL

Vimin =

1.2 k VL

(RL + R) VZ
RL
(1200 + 220 ) (20 V)

Vimin =

1200

Vimin = 23.67 V
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III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

C. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit
Fixed RL , Variable Vi

VR
R

IR

220

IL =

IL

IZ
+
+

vi

VZ = 20 V
IZM = 60 mA

RL

1.2 k VL

VL
RL

VZ

20 V
=

RL

1.2 k

IL = 16.67 mA
IRmax = IZM + IL
IRmax = 60 mA + 16.67 mA
IRmax = 76.67 mA
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III. Zener Diode Circuit Analysis

C. Simple Zener Diode Regulator Circuit
Fixed RL , Variable Vi
Vimax = IRmax R + VZ
+

VR
R

= (76.67 mA)(0.22 k) + 20 V

IR

220

= 16.87 V + 20 V

IL

IZ
+

Vimax = 36.87 V

vi

VZ = 20 V
IZM = 60 mA

RL

VL

1.2 k VL

20 V

Vi
23.67 V

36.87 V
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27

I. Light Emitting Diodes

A diode that gives off visible or invisible (infrared)
light when energized
Light Emitting Diodes

Sample Applications:
Displays in calculators,
watches, parking light for
car, miniature flashlight,
traffic light.

COLOR

CONSTRUCTION

FORWARD
VOLTAGE

Amber

AlInGaP

2.1

Blue

GaN

5.0

Green

GaP

2.2

Orange

GaAsP

2.0

Red

GaAsP

1.8

White

GaN

4.1

Yellow

AlInGaP

2.1
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II. Photodiode

A semiconductor p-n junction device whose

region of operation is limited to the reverse-bias
region. The application of light to the junction will
result to the transfer of energy, resulting to the
increased level of reverse current.
Sample Applications:
Alarm system ; Count items in a conveyor
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III. Schottky Barrier Diode

Ideal diode

Cj

A special-application diode used in systems requiring

very high frequency range and quick response time.
Sample Applications:
Low voltage/high-current power supplies, ac-dc
converters, radar systems, Schottky TTL logic for
computers, mixers and detectors in communication
equipment, instrumentation and analog-to-digital
converters.
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Knowledge will give you

POWER,
but character RESPECT
- Bruce Lee
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