Zener diode
A Zener diode transfers currentforward and backward, while traditional diodes are only capable of transferringcurrent forward. Many different electronic systems use Zener diodes to controltheir circuit’s voltage levels. While there are several ways of doing this,Zener diodes provide efficient voltage regulation without damaging the diodeitself.
How Zener Diodes Work
For the most part, a Zener diode acts like a regular diode as current moves ina forward direction in its circuit. However, when a large enough voltage isapplied to the diode in the reverse direction, it travels against the currentfrom the output to the input. Generally, this produces a current build-up thateventually damages the diode. However, Zener diodes can limit the amount ofcurrent that passes through them so that the voltage going backward limits thevoltage going forward.
Applications
Zener diodes are used in a number of electronic devices but are exclusivelyused to control voltage levels within an electrical circuit. They areespecially used in power supplies where alternating current is converted intodirect current. These types of power supplies typically transfer very largevoltages and must limit the voltage before it is transferred to an electronicdevice. These devices are often referred to as rectifiers and either a Zenerdiode or several transistors can control them. However, in the case of one-chipregulators, transistors are too large and a single Zener diode can perform thesame function.
Advantages
Zener diodes are very small and can be integrated into virtually any electronicdevice, especially small circuits that cannot accommodate other forms ofvoltage regulation technology. Zener diodes are also relatively inexpensive andare compatible with most other systems, making them the preferred voltageregulation device.
Disadvantages
Zener diodes cancel out voltages by applying even larger voltages in thereverse direction, wasting electricity in the process. Additionally, Zenerdiodes have a relatively poor regulation ratio and are generally not as good astransistors.
Clarence Melvin Zener (December 1, 1905 – July 2, 1993) was the American physicist who first (1934) described the property concerning the breakdown of electrical insulators. These findings were later exploited by Bell Labs in the development of the Zener diode, which was duly named after him. Zener was a theoretical physicist with a background in mathematics who conducted research in a wide range of subjects including: superconductivity, metallurgy, ferromagnetism, elasticity, fracture mechanics, diffusion, and geometric programming.
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