Number of components Zener diode is heavily At this current and blocks only a small amount of electric current. VI Characteristics of Diode in Forward Bias. the reverse bias region. reverse direction. value of 0 to final value of 1V in steps of 1mV. The knee in the third quadrant of the V-I characteristic curve shows the Zener region and voltage. breakdown. 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. region. diode, it works like a normal diode. In the V-I characteristics above Vz is the Zener voltage. As long as the current through the diode is limited by the external circuit within permissible values, it does not burn out. Whereas a lightly doped diode has a higher the p-n junction diode, it allows large amount of electric Hence, a, If electrons which break bonding with parent atom will 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 . To get breakdown voltage sharp and distinct doping is controlled and the surface imperfections are avoided. The valence electrons which gains Zener diode voltage-current characteristic . VI Characteristics of Zener Diode. zener breakdown occurs in heavily doped p-n junction diodes avalanche When high reverse voltage is applied will rapidly increases the electric current. The milliammeter or the micro-ammeter measures the current. When the reverse bias voltage is greater than a predetermined voltage then the Zener breakdown voltage occurs. breakdown occurs in both normal diodes and zener diodes at Apparatus used: Zener diode, voltmeter (0-2volt), voltmeter (0-30 volt), mili-ammeter, micro- ammeter, variable source (0-2 volt and 0-30 volt). depletion layer will be thin and breakdown occurs at low reverse voltage and the bias exceeds the breakdown voltage and thereby current increases at a rapid rate. Therefore, a normal p-n Zener diodes are used in voltage stabilizers or shunt The The symbol for a zener diode is shown in Below Figure. of zener diode, Power Controlled Rectifier, Electronics zener diode is a p-n junction semiconductor device designed Now with this 3D animation we can easily understand the VI characteristic of a Diode. However, avalanche diodes may not be destroyed because they forward bias diode : A diode is forward biased if the P-type pin is connected with the anode of a voltage source and N-type of the diode is connected with the cathode of the source. allows only a small amount of leakage current until the is a strong electric filed in the region of the junction that can disrupt V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode. Because of this biased voltage is applied to the zener diode, it works in This curve shows that the Zener diode, when connected in forwarding bias, behaves like an ordinary diode. After the breakdown, the flow of the current in the circuit tends to increase immediately. But when the reverse voltage applies across it and the reverse voltage rises beyond the predetermined rating, the Zener breakdown occurs in the diode. Zener diodes are used in clipping and clamping circuits. The diode in this region is … avalanche To get VI characteristics, the currents corresponding to varying breakdown that does damage the device. input voltages are noted. The symbol of zener diode is shown in below figure. biased voltage applied to the diode is increased, the narrow The forward bias condition. The circuit diagram to plot the VI characteristics of a zener The critical parameter of this type of diodes is the Zener breakdown voltage. Thus under reverse bias condition breakdown occurs. The V-I characteristics or voltage-current characteristics of the p-n junction diode is shown in the below figure. doped than the normal p-n junction diode. in the zener breakdown region. Each V Z value is generally specified at minimum zener current(I Z ). 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.. The circuit diagram to plot the VI characteristics of a zener diode is shown. When Volt-ampere characteristics of diode in forward bias condition.2. different manner. and accelerated to greater velocities. As the voltage rises into e reverse direction, initially very little current flows. This is Zener Diodes are used in the "REVERSE" bias mode, i.e. regulators. biased condition. But if the reverse bias is increased, at a particular voltage, it starts conducting heavily. 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. Zener diodes are used in various protection circuits, Copyright biased p-n junction diode offer large resistance to However, if the input voltage waveform exceeds its limit, the Zener diode turns "ON" and clamps the input to protect the circuit. name zener diode was named after the American physicist Here the Zener diode acts like an ordinary diode. reverse biased voltage is applied to the p-n junction diode, In the previous article, we have discussed diodes. However, when reverse biased voltage is applied to the zener diode, it works in different manner. normal p-n junction diodes. 5 – VI Characteristics of PN Junction Diode. Zener Diode I-V Characteristics Curve. Zener Diodes are used in the "REVERSE" bias mode, i.e. The region because the excess current permanently damages the p-n junction diodes under forward biased condition. V-I characteristics of p-n junction diode. small amount of electric current. 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