Presentation

on
Zener Diode
Submitted By-
Faraz mohammad
Zener diode
 What Is Zener Diode

The basic purpose of a power supply is to provide one or

more fixed voltages to the working circuit, with sufficient
current- handling capacity to maintain the operating
conditions of the circuit. these can be of two types:
unregulated: the output of such supply changes due to : a)
change in the load b) change in the source voltage regulated:
the output of such supply does not change due to: a) change
in the load b) change in the source voltage regulated power
supply is required for critical electronic applications.
 Working of Zener diode

The main application of this type of diodes are as voltage regulator.

Over voltage protector, as voltage reference. We will discussed what
is the application of zener diode as voltage regulator, now we will
discuss the other two points briefly.
Overvoltage protection is done by using zener diodes because there is
current flowing through the diode after the reverse bias voltage
exceeds a certain value. This circuit provides safety for the
equipment connected at the terminals. Normally the current should
not exceed normal valve but if due to any fault in the circuit the
current exceeds the maximum allowable limit, the equipment of the
system can be damaged permanently.
A SCR is used, by it the output voltage is quickly cut down
and a fuse blows which disconnects the input source power.
The circuit arrangement is shown below for better
understanding,
 V-I characteristic of a zener diode

The above diagram shows the V-I characteristics of the zener

diode. When the diode is connected in forward bias, this diode acts
as a normal diode but when the reverse bias voltage is greater than
a predetermined voltage zener breakdown voltage takes place. To
make the breakdown voltage sharp and distinct, the doping is
controlled and the surface imperfections are avoided. In the V-I
characteristics above Vz is the zener voltage, we can say. It is also
the knee voltage because at this point the current is the current is
very rapid.
Zener breakdown occurs when
the electric field in the depletion
layer increases to the point where it
can break covalent bonds and
generate electron-hole pairs.
Electrons generated in this way are
swept by the electric field into the n
side.
Holes generated in this way are
swept by the electric field into the p
side.
The other breakdown
mechanism is avalanche
breakdown.
This occurs when minority
carrier in the depletion layer
gain sufficient kinetic energy
to break covalent bonds in
atoms when they collide.
 Avalanche breakdown.
Carriers liberated may have or gain
sufficient energy to cause other carriers
to be generated.
This process continues in the fashion of
an avalanche
Many carriers can be created to
support any reverse current
determined by the external current.
Zener Voltage Circuit