What is a zener diode used for?

What is a zener diode used for?

Zener diodes are used for voltage regulation, as reference elements, surge suppressors, and in switching applications and clipper circuits. The load voltage equals breakdown voltage VZ of the diode. The series resistor limits the current through the diode and drops the excess voltage when the diode is conducting.

What is IZK Zener?

Izk is the knee current of the zener diode. When the current flowing into the zener is larger than the specified knee current, it will permit significant current flow in the reverse direction. Izm is the maximum zener current the diode can handle without breaking.

What is a 5v1 zener diode?

This 1N4733A zener diode is set at 5.1V, making it ideal for protecting the inputs of a 5V circuit. specifically, it has a minimum voltage of 4.845 V and a maximum voltage of 5.355 V, with a leakage current of 1 V and a test current of 49 mA.

What is zener diode test current?

Test current is the current at which the zener breakdown voltage and equivalent internal impedance specifications are guaranteed. Currents higher than the test current result in slightly higher breakdown voltage and lower internal impedance.

How do you read zener diode markings?

The negative or black lead of the multimeter should be on the cathode or marked side of the diode. A forward-biased silicon diode should read 0.5 to 0.7 volts, so this is the reading you should see for the zener. To test the reverse-biased voltage, switch the multimeter leads.

How many amps can a Zener diode handle?

Current : The current, IZM, of a Zener diode is the maximum current that can flow through a Zener diode at its rated voltage, VZ. Typically there is also a minimum current required for the operation of the diode. As a rough rule of thumb, this can be around 5 to 10 mA for a typical leaded 400 mW device.

What does 5.6 indicates in the SZ 5.6 Zener diode?

In silicon diodes up to about 5.6 volts, the Zener effect is the predominant effect and shows a marked negative temperature coefficient. Above 5.6 volts, the avalanche effect becomes predominant and exhibits a positive temperature coefficient.

What causes avalanche breakdown?

Avalanche breakdown usually occurs when a high reverse voltage is applied across the diode. So as we increase the applied reverse voltage, the electric field across the junction will keep increasing. This generated electric field exerts a force on the electrons at the junction and it frees them from covalent bonds.