Question

What is meant by zener diode and zener break down explain briefly?

Answer 1

   Zener diode is a special purpose p-n junction semiconductor diode. It is a heavily doped diode. Zener invented this diode.  Zener diode operates in the breakdown region in the reverse bias.  Its main function is to regulate voltage.  It allows a wide range of currents almost at the same voltage.  Zener can also conduct current in its forward bias.

  Zener diode is connected in reverse bias in a circuit, for regulating voltage.  It is also called a shunt regulator. Zener is a control in many electronic circuits.

   It is connected in reverse across the load (electrical appliance like refrigerator ). Its resistance is very high till the breakdown voltage is reached. Zener breaks down near the operating voltage of the appliance and does not allow any change in the voltage across the load.  Near the Zener breakdown voltage, its resistance is very low.

 

  When the voltage reaches the breakdown voltage, the electric field at the junction enables the minority carriers (from the doped semiconductor) to flow in large numbers. An effect called tunnelling effect occurs. So current can increase suddenly to a large value. This effect is called Zener effect.

See the diagram for the characteristics.

Answer 2

$\underline \bold{Zener\: diode}$

Zener diode is a type of diode which is it different from other diode in one function. It can reverse the flow of current when Zener voltage is reached whereas in other diode it only flows from anode to its cathode.

It was invented by Clarence Melvin Zener and then after named after his name to Zener diode.

Zener diode is widely used as a shunt (parallel resistance) regulator to regulate the voltage in the circuit so as the voltage connot burn the circuit.

It is used in various ways such as voltage shifter, voltage regulator and waveform clipper.

In diode there is a change of voltage between forward bias and backward bias.

Forward bias means right side of x axis on graph.

Backward bias means left side of x axis on graph.

$\underline \bold{Zener\: breakdown}$

Zener breakdown is a type of breakdown which occur during the reverse bias of Zener diode.