ZENER DIODE

OBJECTIVE
Describe the characteristic of zener diode
and analyze its operation.
Explain how a zener diode is used in voltage
reference, regulation and limiting
applications.
Troubleshoot zener diode regulators.
 INTRODUCTION
Zener diode silicon pn-junction device
that is designed for operation in the
reverse-breakdown region.
The basic function of zener diode is to
maintain a nearly constant dc voltage
under proper operating condition.
Typically it is used to provide a stable
reference voltage for use in power
supplies, voltmeter and other equipment.
Zener diode symbol
 INTRODUCTION

Breakdown voltage set by controlling the

doping level during manufacture.
When diode reached reverse breakdown
voltage remains constant even though
current change drastically.
If zener diode is FB operates the same as
a rectifier diode.
A zener diode is much like a normal diode
but it is placed in the circuit in reverse
bias and operates in reverse breakdown.
Note that its forward characteristics are
just like a normal diode.
 INTRODUCTION

General diode V-I characteristic

 ZENER BREAKDOWN
Two types of reverse breakdown: avalanche breakdown &
zener breakdown

i) avalanche breakdown
- occurs in both rectifier & zener diodes at high
reverse voltage
- breakdown voltage greater than approximately 5V

ii) zener breakdown

- occurs at relatively low reverse voltage
- a zener diode is heavily doped to reduce
breakdown voltage
- this causes very thin depletion region
- as a result, intense electric field exists within the
depletion region
- Near zener breakdown voltage (Vz), the field have
enough energy to pull electrons from their valence
bands and create current.

CHARACTERISTIC CURVE
 BREAKDOWN CHARACTERISTIC
The reverse voltage (VR) is increased the reverse
current (IR) remains extremely small up to the
knee of the curve.
Reverse current called the zener current, IZ.
At that point, breakdown effect begin where zener
impedance (Zz) begin to decrease as IZ increases
rapidly.
At the bottom of the knee- the zener breakdown
voltage (VZ) remains constant although it increase
slightly as the zener current, IZ increase.
IZK min. current required to maintain voltage
regulation
IZM max. amount of current the diode can handle
without being damage/destroyed
IZT the current level at which the VZ rating of
diode is measured (specified on a data sheet)
ZENER EQUIVALENT
CIRCUIT

Zener impedance

Zener diode equivalent circuit model and t

Characteristic curve illustrating Zz
 ZENER EQUIVALENT
CIRCUIT
Since the actual voltage is not ideally vertical,
the change in zener current produces a small
change in zener voltage
By ohms law: VZ
ZZ
I Z

Normally -Zz is specified at IZT.

In most cases, assume Zz is constant over full
range of zener current values and is purely
resistive.
 Ex 3-1 A zener diode exhibits a certain change in VZ for a certain change in IZ on a
portion of the linear characteristic curve between I ZK and IZM as illustrated in Figure.
What is the zener impedance?

VZ 50 mV
ZZ 10
I Z 5mV
The amount and type
of information found on
Datasheets for zener
Diodes.

VZ: zener voltage

IZT: zener test current
ZZT: zener Impedance
IZK: zener knee current
IZM: maximum zener
current
Ex 3-2
 TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT
The zener voltage of a zener diode is very sensitive to the temperature of operation.
The formula for calculating the change in zener voltage due to a change in
temperature is
VZ VZ TC (T1 T0 )

The temperature coefficient (Tc) can be used to find change in Vz due to change in
Temperature using

VZ VZ
Tc 100% / C
o

T1 To
where, VZ = nominal zener voltage at the reference temperature of 25oC.
TC = temperature coefficient.
T1 = new temperature level.
T0 = reference temperature of 25oC.
The temperature coefficient specifies the percent change in zener voltage for each oC
change in temperature. For example, a 12 V zener diode with a positive temperature
coefficient of 0.01%/oC will exhibit a 1.2 mV increase in VZ when the junction
temperature increases one Celsius degree. VZ = VZ TC T
Where VZ is the nominal zener voltage at 25 oC, TC is the temperature coefficient, and
T is the change in temperature.

Ex 3-3 An 8.2 V zener diode (8.2 V at 25 oC) has a positive temperature coefficient of 0.05
%/oC. What is the zener voltage at 60 oC?

The change in zener voltage is

VZ = VZ TC T = (8.2 V)(0.05 %/oC)(60 oC 25 oC)
= (8.2 V)(0.0005/oC)(35 oC) = 144 mV
Notice that 0.05%/oC was converted to 0.0005/oC. The zener voltage at 60 oC is
VZ + VZ = 8.2 V + 144 mV = 8.34 V
 ZENER POWER DISSIPATION
Zener diodes are special diodes manufactured with adequate power
dissipation capabilities to operate in the breakdown region
The maximum current that may be carried by a given zener diode
depends on both the zener voltage and the maximum dc power
dissipation capability of the diode.
The dc power dissipation of the zener diode is given by the formula,

PD I ZVZ
 ZENER POWER DERATING
The maximum power dissipation of a zener diode is specified for
temperature at or below a certain value (50oC, for example).
Above the specified temperature, the maximum power dissipation is
reduced according to a derating factor. The derating factor is expressed
in mW/oC.
The maximum derated power can be determined with the following
formula:

PD ( derated) PD (max) (mW / C )T o

 Zener diodes are specified to operate at a maximum
power called the maximum dc power dissipation,
PD(max).
PD = VZIZ
The maximum power dissipation of a zener diode is
typically specified for temperature at or below a
certain value (50 oC, for example). The derating
factor is expressed in mW/oC. The maximum derated
power can be determined with the following formula:
PD(derated) = PD(max) (mW/oC)T
Ex 3-4 A certain zener diode has a maximum power rating of 400 mW at 50
o
C and a derating factor of 3.2 mW/oC. Determine the maximum power the zener
can dissipate at a temperature of 90 oC.
PD(derated) = PD(max) (mW/oC)T
= 400 mW (3.2 mW/oC)(90oC 50 oC)
= 400 mW 128 mW = 272 mW
 ZENER DIODE
APPLICATIONS

Zener diode can be used as:

Voltage regulator to provide stable
reference voltage.
Simple limiter or clipper
 ZENER REGULATION WITH A
VARYING INPUT VOLTAGE
As i/p voltage varies (within limits) zener diode
maintains a constant o/p voltage
As VIN changes, IZ will change proportionally, so i/p
voltage variations are set by the min. & max.
current value (IZK & IZM) with which the zener can
operate.
Resistor, R current limiting resistor
Ex 3-5: Determine the minimum and the maximum input voltages that can be
regulated by the zener diode in Figure below

Maintain o/p voltage

 From data sheet, 1N4740 10V zener diode
maintain regulation from IZK=0.25mA to
I ZK 0.25mA, PD (max) 1W , VZ 10V
IZM=100mA.
So, PD (max)
I ZM 100mA
VZ

For min. zener current, the voltage across the

R I resistor:
220Vohm ZK R ( 0.25)( 220 ) 55 mV
Since
V VR = VVIN V
- VZ,55mV 10V 10.055mV
IN (min) R Z

VR Izener
For max. ZM R (100
current, ) 22
mA)( 220the V
voltage across
resistor
V is: 22V 10V 32V
IN (max)

Thus
Zener diode can ideally regulate an input voltage from 10.055 V to 32 V and
maintain an approximate 10 V output

i/p vary from

10.055V 32V

Maintain o/p voltage

Ex 3-6 Determine the minimum and the maximum input voltages that can be
regulated by the zener diode in Figure.
 From the data sheet in Figure, the following information for the IN4733 is
obtained:
VZ = 5.1 V at IZT = 49 mA, IZK = 1 mA, and ZZ = 7 at IZT.
PD (max) 1W
I ZM 196 mA
VZ 5.1V
VOUT 5.1V VZ
= 5.1 V (IZT IZK)ZZ
= 5.1 V (48 mA)(7 )
= 5.1 V 0.336 V
= 4.76 V

VIN(min) = IZKR + VOUT

= (1 mA)(100 ) + 4.76 V = 4.86 V
VOUT 5.1V + VZ
= 5.1 V + (IZM IZT)ZZ
= 5.1 V + (147 mA)(7 )
= 5.1 V + 1.03 V
= 6.13 V
VIN(max) = IZMR + VOUT
= (196 mA)(100 ) + 6.13 V = 25.7 V
Exercise
Figure below shows a Zener regulator circuit with varying input voltage,V in.
By referring to the datasheet in Appendix A, evaluate:
a) output voltage, Vout at Zener knee current, IZK.
b) output voltage, Vout at Zener maximum current, IZM
c) minimum and maximum input voltages that can be regulated by the
Zener diode.
Follow these steps
Check datasheet for values of Vz, Zz and Iz
For MAXIMUM voltage,
Find Iz max using power value given in the
datasheet
Vout Vz Vz Vz ( Izmax Iz ) Zz
Find where
Find Vin using KVL
For MINIMUM voltage,
Find Vout
Izmin=VzIZK
Vz Vz ( Iz Izk ) Zz
Find where
Find Vin using KVL
 ZENER REGULATION WITH
A VARIABLE LOAD
In this illustration of zener regulation circuit, the
zener diode will adjust its impedance based on
varying input voltages and loads (RL) to be able to
maintain its designated zener voltage.
Zener current will increase or decrease directly with
voltage input changes. The zener current will
increase or decrease inversely with varying loads.
Again, the zener has a finite range of operation.
Note: The zener diode maintains a nearly constant
voltage across RL as
long as the zener current is greater than IZK and
less than IZM
 FROM NO LOAD TO FULL
LOAD
When output terminal of zener diode is open
(RL= ), the load current is zero.
All of the current is through the zener =>no-load
condition.
When RL is connected, current is flow through zener
and RL.
The total current through R is constant as long as
zener is regulating.
As RL decreases, load current IL increases, IZ decreases.
Zener diode continues to regulate the voltage until I Z
reaches its minimum value, IZK.
At this point, IL is maximum and full-load condition
exists.
Ex 3-7
Determine the minimum and maximum load
current for which the zener diode will maintain
regulation. What is the minimum RL that can be
used? VZ=12V, IZK=1mA and IZM=50mA. Assume
ZZ=0 and VZ remains a constant 12V over
range of current values.
Solution
Step 1: When IL=0A (RL= ), IZ is maximum and
equal to the total current, IT.
V in V Z 24 12
I z (max) I T 25.5mA
R 470
Step 2: IZ(max) is less than IZM, so 0A is min. value
for IL because zener can handle all of 25.5mA. RL
can be removed from the circuit. IL(min) = 0A
Step 3: The max value of IL occurs when IZ is min
I L(max) I T I ZK 25.5mA 1mA 24.5mA
(IZ=IZK)

VZ
12
R L(min) 490
Step 4: The minimum I L(max) value
24.5 of RL is:
Ex 3-8
Figure below shown a 1N4733 zener regulated
circuit. Given VZ = 10 V at IZT = 10mA,IZK = 5mA,
ZZ = 20 and IZM = 20mA. Determine the
maximum permissible load currents.
First step..
The change in zener voltage,
V Z I Z Z Z
The change in zener current,
I I I ZK @ I ZM I ZT
Z ZT
Zener voltage for min and max values are:
V Z (min) V Z V Z

V Z (max) V Z V Z

Maximum and minimum zener current:

Vin V Z (max) VR
I Z (max) I T
R R
Vin V Z (min) V
I Z (min) I T R
R R
I L(max) I T I ZK
Maximum and minimum load current:
I L(min) I T I ZM
From example 3-8
To find IL(max), let analyze the circuitzener diode
connected in parallel with load resistor, RL. For
parallel circuit, V same but I is different.
A certain amount of I from source will flow
through zener diode and RL. If I through zener
diode is max, I flow through RL is min. If I
through zener diode is min, I through RL is
max. V for both zener and RL is the SAME.
So, when current through zener diode, IZ is min,
V V Z V Z
VZ also min. On the other hand,Z I(min)
L will be max as
well as VL max.
Now, find VZ(min)
V Z from
I Z Zthe
Z I Z I ZT
formula. I ZK
Solution..
The change in zener current I Z I ZT
is: I ZK 10m 5m 5mA
Find VZ(min): VZ I Z Z Z 0.005 A(20) 0.1V
VZ (min) VZ VZ 10 0.1 9.9V

So, VZ(min)=9.9V. Then, we need to find total

current through the circuit, IZ(min). Using the
formula, Vin VZ (min) V R 24 9.9
I I
Z (min) T 0.141A 141mA
R R 100

Finally find IL(max) using the formula below. Given

L (max) I T IZK
in the Iquestion, 141mSo,
I ZK=5mA. 5m 136ismA
IL(max)
 ZENER LIMITING
Zener diode also can be used in ac
applications to limit voltage swings to desired
level
a) To limit the +ve peak of a signal
voltage to the selected zener voltage
During ve alternation, zener acts as FB
diode & limits the ve voltage to -0.7V
b) Zener diode is turn around
The ve peak is by FB zener action & +ve
voltage is limited to +0.7V
c) Two back-to-back zeners limit both
peaks to the zener voltage 0.7V
During the +ve alternation, D2 is
functioning as the zener limiter D1 is
functioning as a FB diode.
Basic zener limiting action with a
sinusoidal
input voltage
Example 4

Determine the output voltage for each

limiting circuit shown below.
Solution example 4
When one zener is operating in breakdown, the
other one is FB with approximately 0.7V across
it. For figure a, during +ve cycle, D1(3.3V) FB
while D2(5.1V) is zener limiter. For figure b,
D1(6.2V) is zener limiter and D2(15V) is FB
during +ve cycle.
 TROUBLESHOOT
Although precise power supplies typically use IC
type regulators, zener diodes can be used alone
as a voltage regulator. As with all troubleshooting
techniques we must know what is normal.

A properly functioning zener will work to

maintain the output voltage within certain
limits despite changes in load.
 TROUBLESHOOT
With an open zener diode, the full unregulated
voltage will be present at the output without a
load. In some cases with full or partial loading
an open zener could remain undetected.
no voltage dropped between
the filtered o/p of the power
supply & the o/p terminal

undetected
 TROUBLESHOOT

With excessive zener impedance the voltage

would be higher than normal but less than the
full unregulated output.

The zener has failed such that its

internal impedance is more than it
should be.
 SUMMARY

The zener diode operates in

reverse
A zenerbreakdown.
diode maintains a nearly
constant voltage across its terminals
over
Linearegulation
specified range of currents.
is the maintenance
of a specific voltage with changing
input
Loadvoltages.
regulation is the
maintenance of a specific voltage
for different loads.
 OTHER TYPES OF DIODE

Optical Diode
Current Regulator Diode
Schottky Diode
PIN Diode
Step-recovery Diode
Tunnel Diode
Laser Diode
 Varactor Diode
Varactor is a type of p-n junction diode that
operates in reverse bias. The capacitance of the
junction is controlled by the amount of reverse bias.
Varactor diodes are also referred to as varicaps or
tuning diodes and they are commonly used in
Fig.3-1: Varactor diode symbol
communication systems.
3.3.1 Basic Operation
The capacitance of a reverse-biased varactor
junction is found as:

A
C
d
where, C = the total junction capacitance.
A = the plate area. FIG: Reverse-biased varactor
= the dielectric constant (permittivity). diode acts as a variable
d = the width of the depletion region capacitor.
(plate separation).
The ability of a varactor to act as a voltage-controlled capacitor is
demonstrated in Fig. 3-10.

Fig.3-10: Varactor diode capacitance varies with reverse voltage.

As the reverse-bias voltage increases, the depletion region widens,

increasing the plate separation, thus decreasing the capacitance.
When the reverse-bias voltage decreases, the depletion region narrows,
thus increasing the capacitance.
 Varactor Application
A major application of varactor is in tuning circuits, for example, VHF, UHF, and
satelite receivers utilize varactors. Varactors are also used in cellular
communications.
When used in a parallel resonant circuit, as shown in Fig. 3-11, the varactor acts
as a variable capacitor, thus allowing the resonant frequency to be adjusted by
a variable voltage level.

Fig.3-11: A resonant band-pass filter.

 C1 prevents a dc path from potentiometer wiper back to the ac source through
the inductor and R1.
C2 prevents a dc path from cathode to the anode of the varactor through the
inductor.
C3 prevents a dc path from the wiper to a load on the output through the inductor.
C4 prevents a dc path from the wiper to ground.
R2, R3, R4 and R5 function as a variable dc voltage divider for biasing the varactor.
The parallel resonant frequency of the LC circuit is

1
fr (3-14)
2 LC

where, L = the inductance of an inductor (H)

C = the capacitance of a capacitor (F).
 Optical Diodes
There are two popular types of optoelectronic devices: light-emitting diode
(LED) and photodiode.

3.4.1 The Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

LED is diode that emits light when biased in the forward direction of p-n
junction.

Anode Cathode

(b) (c)

Fig.3-12: The schematic symbol and construction features.

 Fig.3-13: LED that are produced in an array of shapes and sizes.

LED characteristics:
characteristic curves are very similar to those for p-n junction diodes
higher forward voltage (VF)
lower reverse breakdown voltage (VBR).
The basic operation of LED is as illustrated in
Fig. 3-14:
When the device is forward-biased,
electrons cross the p-n junction from the n-
type material and recombine with holes in
the p-type material. These free electrons
are in the conduction band and at a higher
energy than the holes in the valence band.
When the recombination process takes
place, the recombining electrons release
energy in the form photons.
A large exposed surface area on one layer of
the semiconductive material permits the
photons to be emitted as visible light.
Fig.314:
This process is called electroluminescence. Electroluminescence in a
forward-biased LED.
Various impurities are added during the doping process to establish the
wavelength of the emitted light. The wavelength determines the color of visible
light.
 LED Semiconductor
Materials
The color emitted by a given LED depends on the combination of elements used to
produce the component. Some common element combinations are identified in Table 3-1.

TABLE 3-1: Common LEDs VF is measured at IF = 20 mA in each case.

Compound Forward Voltage (VF) Color Emitted

GaAs 1.5 V Infrared (invisible)

AlGaAs 1.8 V Red

GaP 2.4 V Green
GaAsP 2.0 V Orange
GaN 4.1 V White
AlGaInP 2.0 V Amber (yellow)
AlGaInN 3.6 V Blue
 Current-Limiting Resistor
When used in most practical applications, LED require the use of a series current-
limiting resistor, as shown in Fig. 3-15 (a). The resistor ensures that the maximum
current rating of the LED can not be exceeded by the circuit current.
The amount of power output translated into light is directly proportional to the
forward current, as indicated in Fig. 3-15 (b)

Fig.3-15: Basic operation of a LED.

The limiting resistor (RLIMIT) is determined using the following
question:

VBias VF
RLIMIT
IF
 Application
The seven segment display is an example of LEDs use for
display of decimal digits.

Fig.3-16: The 7-segment LED display.

 Photodiode
Photodiode is a p-n junction that can
convert light energy into electrical
energy. A light detector
It operates in reverse bias voltage (VR),
as shown in Fig. 3-17, where I is the
reverse light current.
It has a small transparent window that
allows light to strike the p-n junction. I
The resistance of a photodiode is
calculated by the formula as follows:

VR
RR
I
Fig.3-17: Photodiode.
When its p-n junction is exposed to light, the reverse current increases with the light
intensity as shown by the graph in Fig. 3-18 expressed as irradiance (mW/cm2).
When there is no incident light, the reverse current is almost negligible and is called
the dark current.

Fig.3-18: Typical photodiode characteristics.

Fig. 3-19 illustrates that the photodiode is placed in the circuit in reverse bias. As with most
diodes when in reverse bias, no current flows when in reverse bias, but when light strikes
the exposed junction through a tiny window, reverse current increases proportional to light
intensity.

Fig.3-19: Operation of photodiode.

 Other Types of Diodes
3.5.1 The Schottky Diode

A Schottky diode symbol is shown in Fig. 3-20(a). The Schottky diodes significant
characteristic is its fast switching speed. This is useful for high frequencies and digital
applications. It is not a typical diode in that it does not have a p-n junction. Instead, it
consists of a doped semiconductor (usually n-type) and metal bound together, as shown in
Fig. 3-20(b).

Fig.3-20: (a) Schottky diode symbol and (b) basic internal construction of a
Schottky diode.
 The Laser Diode
The laser diode (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation)
produces a monochromatic (single color) light. Laser diodes in conjunction
with photodiodes are used to retrieve data from compact discs.

Fig.3-21: Basic laser diode construction and operation.

 The PIN Diode
The pin diode is also used in mostly microwave frequency
applications. Its variable forward series resistance
characteristic is used for attenuation, modulation, and
switching. In reverse bias it exhibits a nearly constant
capacitance.

Fig.3-22: PIN diode

 Current Regulator Diode
Current regulator diodes keeps a constant current
value over a specified range of forward voltages
ranging from about 1.5 V to 6 V.

Fig.3-23: Symbol for a current regulator diode.

The Step-Recovery Diode
The step-recovery diode is also used for fast switching applications. This
is achieved by reduced doping at the junction.
The Tunnel Diode
The tunnel diode has negative resistance. It will actually conduct well
with low forward bias. With further increases in bias it reaches the
negative resistance range where current will actually go down. This is
achieved by heavily-doped p and n materials that creates a very thin
depletion region.

Fig.3-24: Tunnel diode symbol and characteristic curve.