Zener Diode-Explanation, Working, Applications, Circuit diagram

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A Zener diode is a type of semiconductor component that is capable of facilitating current flow in either the forward or reverse direction. The diode is typically comprised of a heavily doped p-n junction. The diode is engineered to facilitate the conduction of current in the opposite direction upon attaining a predetermined voltage.

Zener Diode
Zener Diode

Zener Diode

A properly doped crystal diode that has a sharp breakdown voltage is called a Zener diode. Zener diode is a special type of semiconductor diode that works in a breakdown region. A Zener diode uses reverse (VR/IR) characteristics for its operation. Therefore,it is always reverse connected in the circuit i.e. it is always reverse biased.

Explanation

Zener diode acts as a simple diode when operated in forward-bias mode but when operated in reverse breakdown, Zener diode are found to have, extremely stable breakdown voltage over wide range of current levels. Hence Zener diode acts as the backbone of the voltage regulators.

  • A Zener diode is like an ordinary diode except that it is properly doped so as to have a sharp breakdown voltage.
  • A Zener diode is always reverse connected i.e. it is always reverse biased.
  • A Zener diode has sharp breakdown voltage ,called Zener voltage VZ.
  • when forward biased ,its characteristics are just those  of ordinary diode.
  • The Zener diode is not immediately burnt because it has entered the breakdown region. As long as the external circuit connected to the diode limits the diode current to less than the burnt-out value, the diode will not burn out. By reducing reverse voltage below Zener voltage(VZ), the Zener can be brought out of its breakdown level and restored to the pre-breakdown state.

Symbol of Zener Diode

The symbol of Zener diode is same as an ordinary diode except that the bar is turned into Z-shape.

Zener Diode

Characteristics of Zener Diode

Voltage Vz: Reverse breakdown voltage 2.4 V to about 200 V; maximum up to 1 kV
Current Iz (max.): Maximum current at the rated Zener voltage Vz—200 uA to 200 A.
Current Iz (min.): Minimum current required for the diode to break down—5 mA and 10 mA.
Power rating: The maximum power the Zener diode can dissipate is the product of voltage across the diode and the current flowing through.

Typical values are 400 mW, 500 mW, 1 W, and 5 W; for surface mounted, 200 mW, 350 mW, 500 mW, and 1 W are typical.
Voltage tolerance: Typically ±5%.
Temperature stability: Diodes around 5 V are stable.
Zener resistance (Rz): The diode exhibits some resistance as evident from the IV characteristics.

Breakdown of Zener Diode

when the Zener diode is operated in reverse-biased mode there will always be the same thermally produced electrons and holes. As the reverse voltage is increases ,the free electrons move with higher speed. Higher the reverse bias voltage greater is the speed of electrons, thus electrons collide with the atom of semiconductor ejecting valence electrons this phenomenon continues until high current flows in the diode, and the process is called breakdown.

Normally there are three breakdown in Zener diode:

  1. Thermal Breakdown
  2. Zener Breakdown
  3. Avalanche Breakdown

Thermal Breakdown

In ordinary diode, when reverse biasing voltage is increased to a breakdown value, a heavy current flows through device. This will cause overheating of device that permanently destroys it and the process is irreversible process.

Zener Breakdown

In a heavily doped PN junction diode, the Zener effect occurs due to the spontaneous generation of hole-electrons pairs within the junction region by the effect of intense electric filled across it. The ionization is occurred due to the higher electric field, causing the bonds to break and flow of high current. This effect is negative temperature coefficient (NTC) i.e. increase in temperature causes a reduction in flow of current due to more ionization and less mobility of ions which occurs at low voltage. It is reversible process.

Avalanche Breakdown

In a lightly doped PN junction diode, the high-speed electrons due to large reverse bias voltage collide with valence electrons of the atoms fixed in the crystal lattice of the depletion region. As a result, some electrons are liberated out of the covalent bond, creating further hole electron pairs.

The ionization occurs due to collisions of high-speed electrons with valence electrons of the depletion region, it is a positive temperature coefficient(PTC) i.e. increase in temperature causes an increase in the flow of current occurring at high voltage. It is also a reversible process.

Characteristics curve of Zener Diode

A Zener diode uses reverse(VR/IR) characteristics for its operation. Therefore it is always reverse connected in the circuit i.e. it is always reverse biased. As we increase the reverse voltage from 0V, there is a very small reverse current IR (a few μA) which essentially remains constant until the breakdown voltage is reached. Once the breakdown voltage (=VZ, Zener voltage) is reached, the Zener diode conducts current heavily.

Zener Diode as Voltage stabilizer

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 Zener diode of Zener voltage Vz is reverse connected across the load RL across which constant output is desired. The series resistance R absorbs the output voltage fluctuations so as to maintain constant voltage across the load. Zener diode will maintain a constant voltage Vz(=E0) across the load so long as the input voltage does not fall below Vz.

When the circuit is properly designed, the load voltage E0 remains essentially constant (equal to vz) even though the input voltage Ei and load resistance RL may vary over a wide range.

Fig (i)
Fig(ii)
  • Suppose the input voltage increases. Since the Zener diode is in the breakdown region, the Zener diode is equivalent to a battery Vz as shown in Figure (ii). Output voltage remains constant at Vz(=E0). The excess voltage is dropped across the series resistance R. This will cause an increase in the value of the total current I. The Zener will conduct the increase of current in me while the load current remains constant. Hence the output voltage E0 remains constant irrespective of the changes in the input voltage (Ei).
  • Now suppose that input voltage is constant but the load resistance RL decreases. This will cause an increase in load current. The extra current cannot come form the source because drop in R will not change as the Zener diode is within its regulating range. The additional load current will come from a decrease in Zener current Iz. The output voltage stays at constant value(=E0=Vz).

References

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