What is Zener Diode and how it works

What is Zener Diode and how it works

What is Zener Diode and how it works

A Zener diode is an electronic component and part. Zener diodes are used in vast quantities in electronic gadgets and in devices. The most commonly used Zener diode is in a circuit where protection is done. That is why you should know about Zener diode and for this we are going to explain in this article what is Zener diode, use of Zener diode, how Zener diode works, advantages of Zener diode and drawbacks of Zener diode.


What is zener diode :

A Zener diode is a small-looking electronic component whose main function is to control the voltage. That is why it is also called voltage regulator. The function of the diode as a voltage regulator means to allow the voltage to go forward in a limited amount of time. A Zener diode is completely different from an ordinary diode because a Zener diode is used to work in the reverse direction only because it works in the opposite direction if it is to be compared to an ordinary diode. Whereas the simple looking diode allows current to flow in the same direction ie in the straight direction.

What is Zener Diode
What is Zener Diode

Reducing the excess voltage coming from outside, this is the biggest feature and work of Zener diode. But Zener diode diodes work only on direct current. Apart from this, you should also remember that simple diodes allow current to flow only in the direction of forward bias, but the Zener diode allows current to flow in both directions of forward bias and reverse bias. But the Zener diode has been specially designed to work in the reverse direction so that the amount of voltage can be reduced.


What Zener Diodes does :

The Zener diode is not a diode that reduces or exceeds the voltage, but is to allow the voltage to flow in a limited amount and it depends on how much voltage the diode is connected to. If the voltage is too high at times in the circuit, then only the Zener diode is used. Because of the sudden decrease in voltage in the circuit, the circuit will be closed. But due to sudden high voltage, the circuit will be rotten. So to protect the circuit, a Zener diode is applied.

You must keep in mind that the Zener diode does not work until it breaks down and the Zener diode breakdown occurs only when the voltage coming out of it rises above the voltage level of the Zener diode. Controls the voltage.

Controlling the voltage from the side of the Zener diode means that the amount of voltage the circuit must receive is the same, according to which the Zener diode diode is applied in the circuit. So that the circuit can avoid rotting and work properly. For example, if the circuit works with 4 voltages, then the voltage coming from outside becomes sometimes 4 voltages, sometimes 5 volts and sometimes 6 volts. So to avoid the circuit, only a 4-volt Zener diode is applied, which allows only 4 volts current to enter, whether the voltage coming from outside is 4 volts or 6 volts. This is the biggest main job of Zener diode. However, you should also remember that the Zener diode controls the voltage level while the capacitor is used to keep the voltage level constant or to continuously flush out.

Know what is capacitor, how it works and its types


Difference between Diode and Zener diode :

A Zener diode always works in the opposite direction than a simple-looking diode. Working in the opposite direction in this means that a simple diode works in the straight direction as the current enters from the anode end while the cathode exits itself. But current flows in both directions in the Zener diode, that is, how can the positive and negative terminal connect the battery to the Zener diode. But in order to reduce the voltage, the Zener diode has to be inverted like positive current is given from the cathode terminal of the Zener diode and negative current from the anode terminal only when the diode works by reducing the voltage. If we enter the negative current from the anode terminal and the positive current from the cathode terminal, then the normal diode stops the current.

By the way, the Zener diode also stops the current but only when the voltage given to the Zener diode is less than the voltage of the Zener diode. For example, if you give 4 volts to a 5 volt Zener diode, then the Zener diode will not allow current to pass. While the Zener diode of 5 volts will give a current of more than 5 volts, only the Zener diode works. But you must remember that by putting the Zener diode in parallel in the circuit, the Zener diode is switched on or on, but the circuit works and the Zener diode is placed in the parallel itself so that the higher the voltage, the lower the voltage of the circuit and If the voltage is low, then the circuit will get directly because the Zener diode does not need to reduce the voltage. This is because the voltage is already low.


How Zener Diode Works :

There are two junctions inside the Zener diode, one of which is the junction P junction while the other junction is N junction which is directly connected to the terminal. Such a thing is placed in the middle which prevents both junctions from touching each other, which is called depletion layer. Putting the positive current from the cathode end of the Zener diode and the negative current from the anode end causes holes to form at the P junction inside the Zener diode while electrons are formed at the N junction. The holes and electrons inside the Zener diode are attracted to each other and due to the draw, the depletion layer between this diode becomes so thin its value is zero. Due to which current flows from one plate to another, it means that the Zener diode is working.

Zener diode working principle
Zener diode working principle

According to the picture, you see how the Zener diode is working. Like you are seeing that the voltage coming from outside is up to 10 voltages. While we only have to send current of 5 voltages. So in such a situation, we will only put 5 voltage generator diode in parallel. If you apply a Zener diode of 5 voltages then only 5 volts will go forward. While the remaining voltage sends it back to the Zener diode. But you should also remember that if the Zener diode of 5 volts is reduced to less than 5 volts then the Zener diode will not work. But the circuit does not close due to the closure of the Zener diode because the Zener diode is located in the parallel. Zener diode diodes only work. When the voltage goes above the voltage level of the Zener diode as you can see in the picture.

How Zener Diode Works
How Zener Diode Works

When a Zener diode is placed in a circuit, then the Zener diode is placed in it to reduce the voltage. For example, if a device such as a smartphone is to be charged, 5 volts is required. Whereas the voltage coming from outside sometimes becomes 5 volts, sometimes 6 volts and sometimes 7 volts. But the voltage is coming above 5 volts, if you connect wires directly to the smartphone then the battery of the smartphone will rot because only 5 volts is required then only the smartphone will be charged. In such a situation, a 5-volt Zener diode is placed in the middle in parallel. So no matter what is coming from outside, but this Zener diode will only give 5 volts to the smartphone. While the rest of the voltage sends it back.


Zener diode made of which material :

A Zener diode is called a semiconductor device because it is made of semiconductor metal, while its outer body, which is called a body, is made of glass. A black mark is placed near the cathode terminal of the zener diode to represent the cathode and anode terminals.


Use of Zener Diode :

Zener diodes are used in many and such devices where the voltage has to be lowered, that is, the voltage has to be lowered and forward or the Zener diode is used to protect the circuit due to the maximum voltage coming from outside. Which goes as follows:

  • In television
  • In motherboard
  • In the microwave
  • In inverter etc.


Note :

Friends, you should also remember that the Zener diode is only used in DC circuits because they do not work on the AC current. Apart from this, Zener diodes control only the direct current, while transformers are used to control the alternating current.


Know what transformer is, how it works


Advantages of Zener Diode :

  1. Zener diode works to reduce the voltage (DC current).
  2. The Zener diode allows the dc current to flow in the opposite direction of the reverse bias.
  3. Zener diode protects the circuit from overvoltage.
  4. Zener diode works only to reduce the DC voltage.
  5. The Zener diode does not allow more amount of power to be wasted than the rest of the diode.


Drawbacks of zener diode :

  1. Zener diodes do not work on AC current.
  2. Zener diodes do not work when the voltage level is below the voltage level of the Zener diode.

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