A Zener diode is a type of diode designed to exploit the Zener effect to affect electric current to flow against the normal direction from anode to cathode, when the voltage across its terminals exceeds a certain characteristic threshold, the Zener voltage.

Aug 16, 2024 · Zener Diode is one of the most important semiconductor diodes used in our daily life. It is a specific diode that works in reverse bias conditions. It allows current to flow from anode to cathode and it also works in the reverse direction. Let’s learn about Zener Diodes their function, and their construction, in detail in this article. Zener ...

This curve shows that the Zener diode, when connected in forwarding bias, behaves like an ordinary diode. But when the reverse voltage applies across it and the reverse voltage rises beyond the predetermined rating, the Zener breakdown occurs in the diode.

Apr 25, 2023 · The I-V characteristics curve of a Zener diode is shown in the image above. By studying this graph, it becomes clear why Zener diodes are employed in reverse bias. By observing the behavior of a Zener diode, you can notice that as the reverse voltage rises, the reverse current also increases gradually until it hits the Zener knee current, I Z ...

The I-V Characteristics Curve of a zener diode, shown below, is the curve which shows the current-voltage relationship of a zener diode. The zener diode goes through a number of different regions or stages, of which are explained below.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the I-V curve of a Zener diode. For positive voltages the diode is in forward conduction. Current increases quite steeply if about 0.7 V is exceeded. In reverse direction an area is depicted where the diode is blocking. Once the breakdown voltage is reached, current increases significantly.

This article provides an in-depth exploration of Zener diodes, covering their explanation, definition, operation in reverse bias, breakdown mechanisms (avalanche breakdown and Zener breakdown), circuit symbol, V-I characteristics, and specifications.

IV Characteristics of Zener Diode. The IV characteristic curve shows the relation between the current and the voltage across the Zener diode. The given curve shows the operation of the Zener diode in both forward bias and reverse bias.

Zener diodes are designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region and circuits containing them provide voltage regulation or voltage referencing. The circuit shown on Figure 1(a) will be used to explore the characteristics of operation in the breakdown region. The i-v characteristic curve of the diode is shown on Figure 1(b).

Jul 22, 2024 · Zener Diode I-V Characteristics Curve. In the forward bias condition, the zener diode behaves like an ideal diode within specified current and power limits, but it differs in reverse bias condition where the zener diode has very steep avalanche characteristic at the breakdown voltage in reverse bias condition.