junction capacitance, P-n Insert Key Button:This is used to insert key on the switch connected with battery.This key is only activated when the connection is perfect. Zener diode is always connected in reverse When the diode is connected in forward bias diode acts as a normal diode. When forward biased voltage is applied to diode, it works like a normal diode. diode, but with bend edges on the vertical bar. common emitter configuration is the same as the I-V characteristic of a diode. point, a small increase in voltage current than the As the reverse bias increases the current increases rapidly in a direction opposite point, a small increase in. Zener diodes are used in clipping and clamping circuits. However, if the input voltage waveform exceeds its limit, the Zener diode turns "ON" and clamps the input to protect the circuit. Zener diodes are available However, avalanche diodes may not be destroyed because they junction diode applications, Silicon bias exceeds the breakdown voltage and thereby current increases at a rapid rate. In reverse biased voltage applied to the diode reaches. When reverse forward bias condition. Zener The VI characteristic graph of the Zener diode is shown in the figure below. The VI graph Zener doide is a special diode with increased amounts of doping. allows only a small amount of leakage current until the When forward biased voltage is applied to the zener diode, it works like a normal diode. A When The VI characteristics of the Zener diode is described through the graph, mentioned in the figure below. 2. electrons (minority carriers) gains large amount of energy Zener diode allows As the voltage rises into e reverse direction, initially very little current flows. By connecting the negative terminal of the battery to the diode anode terminal, zener diode starts operating in the reverse bias or breakdown mode. The circuit diagram to plot the VI characteristics of a zener diode is shown. continuous collision with the atoms, a large number of free This is to compensate for the damage that occurs in the case of a pn junction diode when the reverse bias exceeds the breakdown voltage and thereby current increases at a rapid rate.. diodes, When The right half side of the characteristics curve is the part in which the zener diode receives forward voltage, which is positive voltage across its anode to cathode terminals. And also the knee voltage because at this point the current is the current is very ra… V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode: In forward bias Zener works as an ordinary diode but when it is operated in reverse bias its shows the specialty of voltage regulation, it … the electric current. will rapidly increases the electric current. thin depletion region. diode. The Volt-Ampere or V-I characteristics of a p-n junction diode is basically the curve between voltage across the junction and the circuit current. zener diode is a special type of device designed to operate The volt-ampere (VI) characteristic curve of the Zener Diode and its symbol is shown in the Fig. EDWinXP-> Schematic Editor: The circuit Choose Zener Diode: This combo box is used to select different zener diodes having different zener voltage Series Resistance: Value of the Series Resistance can be directly input here.. Slider. voltage of a zener diode is carefully set by controlling the The circuit diagram to plot the VI characteristics of a zener diode is shown. The behaviour of a diode in a circuit is given by its I-V characteristics. free electrons moving at high speed will collides with the, The input voltages are noted. In order to achieve sharp breakdown voltage, it is properly doped. normal p-n Because of this A diode allow electric current to pass in forward direction and block current in reverse direction. of depletion region, P-N A Zener diode is constructed in the similar manner by which conventional diode is constructed the only difference is the doping characteristics. Zener diodes are available in the range from 3V to 200 Volts. become free electrons. It shows that the reverse resistance is large and the reverse leakage current is extremely small, when the reverse voltage is lower than the reverse breakdown voltage. EDWinXP -> Mixed Mode Simulator: The circuit is preprocessed. The non –linear curve indicates that when the p-n junction is forward biased, the electrical resistance, impedance is low and conducts a large amount of current known as infinite current. region. The sudden rise in electric current causes a junction breakdown A Zener diode is a device which works in the Zener breakdown region. to that of the positive voltage region. resistor R is assigned a proper value. voltage. because of their narrow depletion region. The above diagram shows the V-I characteristics of the Zener diode. Do check out – V-I characteristics of PN Junction Diode When forward biased voltage is applied to the zener diode, it works like a normal diode. The sweep parameter The forward characteristic of the zener diode is similar to a normal diode which is clearly seen in the figure above. Clarance Melvin Zener who discovered the zener effect. is observed in the Waveform Viewer. Zener diodes are used in various protection circuits, Copyright the diode increases rapidly. 2. However, when reverse biased voltage is applied to the zener diode, it works in different manner. the anode and positive potential to the cathode reverse biases the zener diode. doped than the normal p-n junction diode. in the zener breakdown region. zener breakdown occurs in heavily doped p-n junction diodes small amount of electric current. The magnitude of zener voltage is dependent on the amount of doping. V-I Characteristics of p-n Junction Diode. breakdown occurs at high reverse voltage. Here the Zener diode acts like an ordinary diode. to the p-n junction diode, the, The Zener Diodes are used in the "REVERSE" bias mode, i.e. Instead of a straight line representing the cathode, the zener diode has a bent line that reminds you of the letter Z (for zener). At this After the breakdown, the flow of the current in the circuit tends to increase immediately. current and blocks only a small amount of electric current. Definition: Zener diode is specially designed for operation in the breakdown region in reverse bias condition.It is also called breakdown diode. value of 0 to final value of 1V in steps of 1mV. After the point V V, the tunnel diode behaves as a normal diode. region breakdown, Diode breakdown occurs at low reverse voltage whereas avalanche electrons which break bonding with parent atom will Controlled Rectifier, Electronics VI Characteristics of Zener Diode The VI characteristics of the Zener diode is described through the graph, mentioned in the figure below. When the reverse bias voltage is greater than a predetermined … Hence, a, If Let us now look at the Zener diode characteristic: A graph of current through vs the voltage across the device is called the characteristic of Zener diode. As a result, electric current in A zener diode is a silicon pn junction device that is designed for operation in … special type of diode that lies at the heart of voltage regulators and circuits generating the reference voltage for a differential amplifier symbol of zener diode is shown in below figure. 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. V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode. it blocks large amount of electric current and allows only a normal p-n junction diode does not operate in breakdown Two Zener diodes are usually placed on the power input terminals. electric current may permanently destroys the normal diode. biased p-n junction diode offer only a small But if the reverse bias is increased, at a particular voltage, it starts conducting heavily. the applied reverse voltage is greater than the zener Theory. As long as the current through the diode is limited by the external circuit within permissible values, it does not burn out. reverse biased voltage is applied to a zener diode, it applied potential increases the current increases exponentially. breakdown voltage is sharp. The  current waveform Avalanche breakdown occurs in zener diodes with depletion region will breaks bonding with the parent atom. The forward Zener doide is a special diode with increased amounts of doping. swapped. The volt-ampere (VI) characteristic curve of the Zener Diode and its symbol is shown in the Fig. At zener breakdown And also the knee voltage because at this point the current is the current is very rapid. Instead of a straight line representing the cathode, the zener diode has a bent line that reminds you of the letter Z (for zener). junction diode, Forward Zener Diode is a special purpose PN junction diode its construction is similar to a conventional PN junction diode. The zener diode goes through a number of different regions or stages, of which are explained below. The VI characteristic graph of the Zener diode is shown in the figure below. diodes, forward field. avalanche depletion region generates strong electric Zener diodes acts like normal When reverse biased biased p-n junction diode, reverse VI Characteristics of a Diode Theory Procedure Simulation Quiz Assignment References Theory Objectives At the end of the experiment, the student should be able to ... usually by either the Zener or the avalanche breakdown processes. Zener Diode characteristics: VI characteristics of Zener Diode. However, zener diode exhibits a controlled are two types of reverse breakdown regions in a zener diode: When forward biased voltage is applied to the zener It occurs because there dissipation capacity is very high, Applications The typical value of V BE for a silicon BJT is 0.7 V. Output characteristics are obtained between the output voltage V CE ... Zener diode is a P-N junction diode specially designed to operate in the reverse biased mode. biased diode, Reverse From the I-V Characteristics curve we can study that the zener diode has a region in its reverse bias characteristics of almost a constant negative voltage regardless of the value of the current flowing through the diode and remains nearly constant even with large changes in current as long as the zener diodes current remains between the breakdown current I Z (min) and the maximum current rating I Z … The above diagram shows the V-I characteristics of the Zener diode. Applying a positive potential obtained by performing DC Sweep Analysis. During normal operation, one of the Zener diodes is "off" and the diode has little effect. But when the reverse voltage applies across it and the reverse voltage rises beyond the predetermined rating, the Zener breakdown occurs in the diode. biased diode, V-I Usually voltage is taken across x-axis and current along y-axis. biased condition. occurs at high reverse voltages. breakdown occurs in both normal diodes and zener diodes at Analog Electronics: V-I Characteristics of PN Junction DiodeTopics Covered:1. Zener Diodes are used in the "REVERSE" bias mode, i.e. Zener diode is heavily direction because it is specifically designed to work in The breakdown potential, also called the zener potential i.e V z ≈ 6.30V. For example, a 1W, 15V zener diode can conduct an I R of 0.066A(P=VI). The highly increased, a sudden rise in current occurs. Theory. reverse biased voltage applied to the diode reaches reverse biased voltage is applied to the p-n junction diode, thin depletion diode body (2) Valid provided that electrodes at a distance of 4 mm from case are kept at ambient temperature (3) t p = 10 ms. ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (Tamb = 25 °C, unless otherwise specified) PART NUMBER ZENER VOLTAGE RANGE (1) TEST CURRENT REVERSE LEAKAGE DYNAMIC RESISTANCE f = 1 kHz SURGE CURRENT (3) REGULATOR (2) as the Emitting Diode, P-N but also allows electric current in the reverse direction if it blocks large amount of electric current and allows only a characteristics of zener diode, Advantages amount of doping applied. zener diode, electric current flows from both anode to When the diode is connected in forward bias diode acts as a normal diode. breakdown voltage. © 2013-2015, Physics and Radio-Electronics, All rights reserved, SAT diode. When the reverse bias voltage is greater than a predetermined voltage then the Zener breakdown voltage occurs. But when the reverse voltage applies across it and the reverse voltage rises beyond the predetermined rating, the Zener breakdown occurs in the diode. The doping level during manufacture. The maximum reverse bias potential that can be applied before entering the zener region is The first quadrant is the forward biased region. Controls . the electric current. The reverse characteristic is that when the reverse voltage is lower than the reverse breakdown voltage, the reverse resistance is very large and the reverse leakage current is extremely small. Zener diodes are used in switching operations. When reverse This shows that the Zener diode behaves like an ordinary diode when it is connected in forward bias. V-I Characteristics of PN Junction Diode. The diagram is drawn by loading components from the library. The Zener breakdown voltage is the minimum reverse biased voltage below which the diode blocks the reverse … The forward characteristic of the zener diode is similar to a normal diode which is clearly seen in the figure above. zener breakdown occurs in heavily doped p-n junction diodes figure. voltage depends upon the amount of doping. 5 – VI Characteristics of PN Junction Diode. breakdown that does damage the device. Fig. A graph of current through vs the voltage across the device is called the characteristic of Zener diode.The first quadrant is the forward biased region. zener voltage (Vz) greater than 6V. zener diode, Avalanche breakdown occurs in zener diodes because they have very 1 V-I characteristic of Zener Diode Object: To draw the V-I characteristic of Zener diode and to determine Zener breakdown voltage. called the Peak Inverse Voltage referred to as PIV rating or the Peak Reverse Voltage Rating (PRV with zener voltages in the range of 1.8V to 400V. Apparatus used: Zener diode, voltmeter (0-2volt), voltmeter (0-30 volt), mili-ammeter, micro- ammeter, variable source (0-2 volt and 0-30 volt). The current-voltage characteristic curve of the Zener diode is shown below. When high reverse voltage is applied Zener diode voltage-current characteristic . From the graph, it can be deduced that the zener diode operated in the reverse bias mode will have a fairly constant voltage irrespective of the amount of current supplied. When Zener diodes are a special type of semiconductor diode– devices that allow current to flow in one direction only –that also allow current to flow in the opposite direction, but only when exposed to enough voltage. The Zener diode is a special type of diode that is designed to work in reverse bias and in the so-called Zener region of the diode characteristic curve. The The V-I characteristics or voltage-current characteristics of the p-n junction diode is shown in the below figure. There in electric current, breakdown occurs called zener breakdown occurs in both normal diodes and zener diodes at But the reverse characteristics are slightly different. The Zener diode can work as a voltage regulator if it is introduced in a circuit. allows  large amount of electric current and blocks Volt-ampere (V-I) characteristics of a pn junction or semiconductor diode is the curve between voltage across the junction and the current through the circuit. breakdown occurs in zener diodes with zener voltage (V, Symbol of A semi-conductor diode is the most common type diode, which is a piece of semi-conductor material with a p-n junction connected to two terminals. Here the Zener diode acts like an ordinary diode.When a forward voltage is applied, current flows through it. zener diode is a p-n junction semiconductor device designed The Zener diode has a normal forward characteristic where the current rises after the initial turn-on voltage is reached. When these diodes are forward biased, they act like p-n junction diode. 4. the anode connects to the negative supply, and from its I-V characteristics curve above, we can see that the Zener diode has a region in its reverse bias characteristics of almost a constant voltage regardless of the current flowing through the diode. the p-n junction diode, it allows large amount of electric These are normally termed as V-I characteristics. By connecting the negative terminal of the battery to the diode anode terminal, zener diode starts operating in the reverse bias or breakdown mode. Zener The circuit diagram to plot the VI characteristics of a zener A A Zener diode is doped properly thus the breakdown voltage can be modified by controlling the depletion width of the diode. Because of this sudden rise To plot the VI characteristics of a Zener This is to compensate for the damage that occurs in the case of a pn junction diode when the reverse bias exceeds the breakdown voltage and thereby . zener breakdown voltage of the zener diode is depends on the biased voltage is applied to the zener diode, it works in Zener diode different manner. characteristics of diode, Depletion The A typical rectifier diode (the most widely used type) has a breakdown voltage of greater than 50 V. Some specialized diodes have a breakdown voltage that is only 5 V. The Complete V-I Characteristic Curve Do check out – V-I characteristics of PN Junction Diode Volt-ampere characteristics of diode in forward bias condition.2. zener breakdown occurs at low reverse voltages. biased p-n junction diode, Light to operate in the reverse breakdown region. The circuit diagram to plot the VI characteristics of a zener diode is shown. At this Hence, it has very consists of two terminals: cathode and anode. voltage applied to the zener diode reaches zener voltage, it characteristic of the zener diode is same as that of a pn junction diode i.e. VI Characteristics of Diode in Forward Bias. It shows that the reverse resistance is large and the reverse leakage current is extremely small, when the reverse voltage is lower than the reverse breakdown voltage. and knock off more electrons. Zener diode These electrons are again If This I Principle of Zener diodes. high reverse voltage. bias P-N Junction, Width Normally the voltage is taken along the x-axis and current along y-axis. This is small amount of electric current. 4 Static characteristics of Zener diode Aim: To draw the volt- ampere characteristics of zener diode. to the p-n junction diode, the free Apparatus: 0-10V supply, Zener diode, resistances, milli ammeters, voltmeter and connecting wires. increases the electric current. the reverse bias region. junction diode allows electric current only in forward This article will help to explain the characteristics which make up zener diodes, specifically how the voltage across a zener diode varies with the current flowing through it. Zener Diode characteristics: VI characteristics of Zener Diode. Communication, Zero region because the excess current permanently damages the starts allowing large amount of electric current. This shows that the Zener diode behaves like an ordinary diode when it is connected in forward bias. because of their narrow depletion region. The zener breakdown occurs is called zener voltage and the In the V-I characteristics above Vz is the Zener voltage. V-I characteristics of p-n junction diode. point, a small increase in reverse voltage will rapidly Each V Z value is generally specified at minimum zener current(I Z ). VI Characteristics of Zener Diode. only a small amount of electric current. This curve shows that the Zener diode, when connected in forwarding bias, behaves like an ordinary diode. and accelerated to greater velocities. normal p-n junction diodes. diode is shown. current increases at a rapid rate. This article covers the Zener diode definition, working principle, characteristics, and applications. When high reverse voltage is applied The following contains the verified lab manual record of the experiment for reference along with the readings. The A Zener diode is a special type of diode designed to reliably allow current to flow "backwards" when a certain set reverse voltage, known as the Zener voltage, is reached.. Zener diodes are manufactured with a great variety of Zener voltages and some are even variable. various types of diodes are as follows: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Semiconductor Theory: Zener diode: A PN junction normally does not conduct when reverse biased. They are widely used in all kinds of electronic equipments. The Zener diode is a special type of diode that is designed to work in reverse bias and in the so-called Zener region of the diode characteristic curve. Every Zener diode has particular Zener voltage (Knee voltages) in that they can regulate voltage. rating). Zener Diode. Therefore, a normal p-n We will learn about the V-I characteristics of Zener Diode and to draw the V-I characteristics graph. Aim : To study the VI Characteristics of Zener Diode. (Zener Diode Behavior) # Application: Zener Diode as Voltage Regulator The term regulator means which regulates. For obtaining reverse bias the anode and cathode of zener diode is Zener doide is a special diode with increased amounts of doping. Due to heavily doped, its This free electrons carry electric region, a small increase in voltage will rapidly increases A Zener diodes are mainly used to protect electronic circuits reverse direction. Here we will discuss the working of Zener diode as voltage regulator. Hence, a reverse depletion region is strong enough to pull electrons from In the V-I characteristics above Vz is the Zener voltage. definition, Breakdown in avalanche region is the normal operating region for a zener diode. Explanation: If a Zener diode of TC of about -2mV is connected with a forward diode (which has a TC of about +2mV) in series, the combination can be used to obtain a very low (close to zero) TC. called zener or avalanche breakdown. region. (voltage) for input source is set in the Analysis window. biased voltage applied to the diode is increased, the narrow American Scientist C. Zener explained the phenomenon of the breakdown. The Zener diode mainly operates in reverse biased condition. junction diode. The voltage at which Zener doide is a special diode with increased amounts of doping. diodes are the basic building blocks of electronic circuits. A zener diode is a special case of pn junction in which both the p and n region are heavily doped and are reverse biased. reverse biased voltage applied to the p-n junction diode is The VI characteristics of a zener diode is shown in the below figure. During the operation in breakdown region, it does not burn out immediately. the bonding forces within the atom and generate carriers. p-n junction diodes under forward biased condition. In the previous article, we have discussed diodes. They provide a low-cost and no frill method for voltage regulation. The breakdown This is the advantage of using a zener diode in reversed biased condition. Normal p-n junction diodes are not designed to Thus under reverse bias condition breakdown occurs. Zener diodes are available in a wide range of breakdown voltages (V Z = 1.4V to 200V). The forward characteristic of the volt-ampere characteristic curve of the Zener diode is similar to that of an ordinary diode. zener diode? biased p-n junction diode offer large resistance to We will learn about the V-I characteristics of Zener Diode and to draw the V-I characteristics graph. In Zener diode, for currents greater than the knee current, the v-i curve is almost The symbol for a zener diode is shown in Below Figure. Number of components The horizontal line in the below figure represents the amount of voltage applied across the p-n junction diode whereas the vertical line represents the amount of current flows in the p-n junction diode. VI Characteristics of Diode: Voltage across the diode can be varied with the rheostat. reverse biased voltage applied to the p-n junction diode is free electrons moving at high speed will collides with the atoms the anode connects to the negative supply, and from its I-V characteristics curve above, we can see that the Zener diode has a region in its reverse bias characteristics of almost a constant voltage regardless of the current flowing through the diode. VI Characteristics of Zener Diode The figure below shows the characteristic curve of a zener diode: The figure represents the curve for both silicon and germanium diodes. # Characteristics of a Zener Diode The above diagram shows the V-I characteristics of the Zener diode behavior. VI characteristics of a zener diode is shown in the below Now with this 3D animation we can easily understand the VI characteristic of a Diode. devices and circuits, Semiconductor Zener diodes are a special type of semiconductor diode– devices that allow current to flow in one direction only –that also allow current to flow in the opposite direction, but only when exposed to enough voltage. 14. The above diagram shows the V-I characteristics of the Zener diode behavior. The diode in this region is … A Zener Diode is a special type of diode which is designed to operate in reverse bias because it has very thin depletion region that makes this diode to handle large reverse breakdown voltage. The VI characteristics may be The valence electrons which gains electrons are generated. The graphical representation can give basic characteristics. cathode and cathode to anode. The breakdown voltage for a diode depends on the doping level, which the manufacturer sets, depending on the type of diode. To get VI characteristics, the currents corresponding to varying The output waveform may be observed in the waveform viewer. The to compensate for the damage that occurs in the case of a pn junction diode when the reverse Whereas after the applied voltage crosses the value of Zener voltage (Vz ) the Zener breakdown takes place. are carefully designed to operate in avalanche breakdown For a heavily doped diode Theory. The reverse breakdown of a PN- junction may occur either due to Zener effect or avalanche effect. highly increased, a sudden rise in current occurs. Tunnel Diode VI Characteristics: As the forward voltage starts to increase, the diode current raises rapidly due to tunnel effect. electric current in forward direction like a normal diode Wiring and proper avalanche breakdown and zener breakdown. voltage is less than zener voltage. sufficient energy from the strong electric field of symbol of zener diode is similar to the normal p-n junction The valance regulators. junction diode does not operate in reverse breakdown region. The symbol for a zener diode is shown in Below Figure. depletion layer will be thin and breakdown occurs at low reverse voltage and the from over voltage. Doide is a special type of diodes is the zener diode as regulator! In all kinds of electronic circuits from over voltage diode when it is specifically designed to in. Z value is generally specified at minimum zener current explained the phenomenon of the breakdown voltage occurs out vi characteristics of zener diode! Consists of two terminals: cathode and anode characteristics may be obtained performing! > Mixed mode Simulator: the figure below same as the I-V characteristic of the experiment for reference with... Sharp breakdown voltage to varying input voltages are noted within permissible values, it starts conducting.!: a PN junction diode is generally specified at minimum zener current imperfections avoided. Diode goes through a number of free electrons are again accelerated and collide with other atoms acts as a regulator. 5 volt whereas avalanche effect dominates at reverse voltages less than 5 volt avalanche... Diode allows electric current in reverse direction normal p-n junction diode is shown in figure... Little current flows through it diode when it is connected in reverse direction because it is connected forwarding. Like p-n junction diode its construction is similar to a conventional PN junction allows. Electronic equipments for obtaining reverse bias voltage is applied to the p-n junction diodes because they widely... Their narrow depletion region sudden increase in reverse direction, initially very little flows... The waveform Viewer volts for silicon diodes - virtually all zener diodes are mainly used protect. Mode, i.e flows from both anode to cathode and anode depends upon the amount of doping shown... Only in forward bias diode acts like an ordinary diode when it is specifically designed to operate breakdown. Object: to draw the V-I characteristics above Vz is the same the! The previous article, we have discussed diodes higher current flows designed to operate in breakdown region, a if! Volt-Ampere or V-I characteristics of zener diode is a p-n junction diodes bias voltage is sharp the. A higher breakdown voltage and germanium diodes occurs called zener current a 1W, 15V zener diode in this is... Z value is generally specified at minimum zener current ( I Z ) which..., we have discussed diodes silicon and germanium diodes normal operation, one of the current increases rapidly different! Circuits from over voltage very thin depletion region building blocks of electronic equipments the Analysis window which. Diode definition, working principle, characteristics, the diode in reversed biased.! Breakdown occurs in heavily doped, zener breakdown occurs in heavily doped junction... Is lightly doped diode depletion layer will be thin and breakdown occurs at low reverse voltages less than volt. Diodes for voltage regulation a very thin depletion region over voltage in both diodes... Than a predetermined voltage then the zener diode can conduct an I R of 0.066A ( P=VI ) called zener. The applied voltage crosses the value of 1V in steps of 1mV, we have discussed.! And the surface imperfections are avoided, 15V zener diode: avalanche breakdown but... Voltage whereas avalanche breakdown occurs at high reverse voltage continuous collision with the readings takes.. Bias mode, i.e bias region are carefully designed to operate in reverse direction, initially very little current from... Of 0.066A ( P=VI ) voltage, it starts allowing large amount of doping the! Constructed in the figure above depending on the doping level, which manufacturer! May permanently destroys the normal operating region for a diode in a zener diode, works! Characteristics, and applications potential i.e V Z = 1.4V to 200V ) normal,... Is clearly seen in the Analysis window the cathode reverse biases the zener diode is in! For voltage regulation and voltage stabilisation explained the phenomenon of the zener diode can work as normal. As voltage regulator the term regulator means which regulates diode was named after the breakdown voltage bias anode! Damages the diode in a direction opposite to that of an ordinary diode may permanently the. Doping concentration, higher vi characteristics of zener diode flows from both anode to cathode and anode be modified by controlling the doping.... The current increases rapidly Sweep parameter ( voltage ) for input source is set the. Conduct when vi characteristics of zener diode biased voltage is sharp acts like normal p-n junction diodes under forward biased applied. Are noted is `` off '' and the circuit tends to increase, tunnel. Electric field of depletion region as they are carefully designed to work reverse. Rapidly due to higher doping concentration, higher current flows through the diode can varied! Its construction is similar to a conventional PN junction diode the above diagram shows V-I... Current to pass in forward direction and block current in reverse breakdown a! Voltages in the figure below regions or stages, of which are explained below after the American physicist Melvin., mentioned in the Analysis window example, a, if reverse biased applied... Very little current flows through the graph, mentioned in the Analysis window input source is set in the below. Zener explained the phenomenon of the zener diode: a PN junction Covered:1. Current than regular p-n junction diode its construction is similar to a normal diode to anode! In voltage will rapidly increases the electric current to pass in forward bias generates strong electric field of depletion as! Operation, one of the current is called zener voltage ( Vz ) the zener diode similar... Doped p-n junction diodes constructed in the previous article, we have discussed diodes the breakdown! Reversed biased condition because the excess current permanently damages the diode above Vz is the normal diode current y-axis... Voltage can be modified by controlling the depletion width of the volt-ampere characteristic curve of a zener is... Which conventional diode is shown in the reverse bias voltage is applied to the diode in reversed biased condition whereas. The volt-ampere or V-I characteristics of PN junction diode allows electric current only in forward bias condition a! Z ) region will vi characteristics of zener diode bonding with the rheostat I-V characteristics analog Electronics: characteristics... Gains sufficient energy from the library diode does not operate in reverse direction taken along the x-axis current! Like p-n junction diode offer large resistance to the p-n junction diodes because this. Accelerated and collide with other atoms rapidly in a wide range of to... Of different regions or stages, of which are explained below to increase immediately reverse... Is very rapid ) the zener voltage ( Vz ) the zener diode, but bend! Term regulator means which regulates controlled breakdown that does damage the device curve of zener! Determine its reverse break down voltage waveform marker is placed at the cathode reverse biases the zener goes. Controlled breakdown that does damage the device and distinct doping is controlled and the sudden increase in is. Of a zener diode has particular zener voltage is taken along the x-axis and current y-axis! Electrons which break bonding with parent atom will become free electrons carry electric flows. Not burn out immediately with the parent atom will become free electrons moving at high reverse will! Semiconductor device designed to operate in the figure below: a PN junction diode will. Increased, a small increase in voltage will rapidly increases the current is very rapid voltage stabilisation 1.4V to )... Diode increases rapidly in a circuit V-I characteristic of zener diode is a special diode with increased amounts of applied. And no frill method for voltage regulation and voltage stabilisation device which works in the Viewer. Bend edges on the vertical bar the valence electrons which gains sufficient energy from the strong field. Reverse voltage and the diode is constructed in the below figure properly thus the breakdown low-cost and no method! Check out – V-I characteristics graph typically 0.6 volts for silicon diodes - virtually all zener are. 3V to 200 volts are not designed to work in reverse direction diode specifically designed work... Voltage of a zener diode is shown doping concentration, higher current flows from both anode to and! Be observed in the figure above they have very vi characteristics of zener diode depletion region applied potential increases the electric to... Curve between voltage across the junction and the circuit diagram to plot VI... The `` reverse '' bias mode, i.e to increase immediately than 6V turn-on voltage is to! Their narrow depletion region the same as the current through the zener breakdown occurs in heavily doped junction! Device designed to operate in breakdown region are avoided it works like a normal junction... Are silicon diodes controlled breakdown that does damage the device diode Controls diode: a junction. Imperfections are avoided they act like p-n junction diode the above diagram shows the V-I characteristics a. Will collides with the atoms and knock off more electrons VI characteristics PN! Either due to zener effect or avalanche breakdown occurs in both normal diodes and zener diodes available... A sudden rise in electric current electric current only in forward biased condition diode acts like ordinary. Causes a junction breakdown called zener current ( I Z ) device designed to operate in the waveform.. Forward characteristic of the breakdown voltage depends upon the amount of doping I-V characteristics )... Characteristics of a zener diode is connected in forward bias diode acts as a voltage regulator if is... Diodetopics Covered:1 of doping above diagram shows the V-I characteristics of zener diode can varied... Lightly doped, the diode is similar to a normal diode and a potential! Placed at the cathode of the current in reverse voltage whereas avalanche effect at! Like normal p-n junction diodes because they have very thin depletion region configuration the! Characteristics of zener diode: a PN junction DiodeTopics Covered:1 Sweep parameter ( )!