Applications of Zener Diode

Zener diode is a type of semiconductor diode that operates in the reverse breakdown region, allowing it to maintain a nearly constant voltage across its terminals over a wide range of currents. Zener diodes are used for precise voltage regulation and stabilization in electronic circuits. In this article, we are going to learn about the real life applications of Zener Diode.

What is Zener Diode?

Zener Diode is recognized as a semiconductor device which allows the flow of current in both directions (forward and reverse). It is a diode which works in reverse bias conditions. It enables current to flow from anode to cathode. It is used as a voltage regulator. It provides a stable reference voltage.

For the working of Zener diode, impurities of high level are added to the semiconductor material which makes it even more conductive. Due to the addition of these impurities to the semiconductor material, the depletion region of the diode becomes very thin. Due to heavy doping, whenever we applied even a small voltage, the intensity of the electric field increases across the depletion region.

What are Applications of Zener Diode in Real Life?

Zener diodes find numerous applications in electronics due to their unique voltage regulation characteristics. The applications of Zener Diode in real life is discussed below:

Voltage Regulation

In electronic circuits, Zener Diode are primarily utilized for the regulation of voltage. It is connected in the circuit parallel to the load making it reverse bias. It tries to maintain a constant voltage across the terminals of the circuit, even if the current flowing through the circuit is varying. This unique characteristics or property of the Zener Diode makes it suitable for those areas where we need to stabilize the supply of power. It is useful in those use cases where we need to protect our sensitive components from voltage fluctuations.

Noise Reduction

Zener Diode have an important application when it comes to noise reduction. It is utilized in circuits of noise reduction to suppress noise of higher-frequency. These Zener diodes are connected in parallel with the load, which then shunts the high-frequency noise to the ground. Doing this results in reducing the noise voltage across the load.

Clipping Circuits

Zener Diode is an integral and important part of clipping circuits. These circuits are used for preventing the output signal from going beyond a determined value. It is used in these circuits for conditioning of the signal and shaping of the waveform in the electronic circuits. It functions by limiting the amplitude of the input signals by conducting whenever the signal voltage goes pass the Zener voltage.

Voltage Shifting

Zener Diode’s one of most core applications is voltage shifting. It is utilized in the conversion of a signal from one voltage to another. It possess the property to maintain a steady output voltage even in the breakdown region. Zener Diode offers various versatile shifting of voltage capabilities.

Overvoltage Protection

Overvoltage are considered as conditions where the voltage has gone above a threshold value. It is used in electronic circuits to protect the sensitive devices or components from getting damage caused by overvoltage. Whenever the voltage level of a particular circuit goes above a certain threshold voltage, the Zener Diode functions and controls the voltage to the Zener voltage. It diverts the excess amount of current from the protected devices.

Voltage Reference

Zener Diode are widely utilized when we need to have a reference of the voltage. In Analog circuits, we take use of Zener Diodes to have the references of the voltage. We make a connection of the Zener Diode with the resistor in series. This leads to the generation of a stable reference voltage which can be used for referencing for other circuit elements.

Zener diode for Temperature Sensing

Since, Zener Diode are mostly used for its primary function that is regulation of voltage. Apart from this, it can also be utilized for sensing of temperature. The sensing of temperature is done by exploiting the voltage variation with temperature. Due to temperature coefficient of Zener Diode, it exhibits a change in the breakdown voltage with the variations in temperature. It also faces some challenges like limited sensitivity, accuracy, non linearity, etc.

Zener Diode for Current Limiting

Zener Diode are also utilized for the current limiting function in various applications. To achieve current limiting function, we need to connect Zener Diode in series with a load. Whenever load tries to draw the excess current, it reduces the voltage across the Diode, which results to limiting the current flow through the circuit. This application of Zener Diode is used for the protection of electrical components, appliances, etc.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Zener Diode is recognized as a semiconductor device which allows the flow of current in both the directions (forward and reverse direction). We learn about the real-life applications of Zener Diode. How they are useful in our day to day life usage.

FAQs on Applications of Zener Diode

Define Zener Diode

Zener Diode is a semiconductor device which allows the flow of current in both the directions (forward and reverse direction).

Which term is also used to identify Zener Diode?

Zener Diode is also called Breakdown Diode.

What are the types of breakdowns in a Zener Diode?

The types of breakdowns in Zener Diode are:

• Avalanche Breakdown
• Zener Breakdown

What is advantage of using Zener Diode?

The main advantage of using Zener Diode is that it protects from over-voltage.

What is the working principle of a Zener diode?

Zener Diode works by maintaining a constant voltage across its terminals when it is in reverse biased mode beyond its breakdown voltage.

What is a real life example of a diode?

The real life example of a diode is Light Emitting Diode(LED)

What is the most common use for a Zener diode?

The most common use of a Zener diode is in Voltage Regulations