DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH

Name : J.V. Suresh Babu,

Designation : Sr. Lecturer
Branch : Electronics and Communication
Institute : Govt.Polytechnic, Anantapur
Year/Semester : I year
Subject : Electronic Components and Devices
Sub. Code : EC 105,
Topic : Semiconductor Materials & Devices
Duration : 50 mts
Sub Topic : Zener Diode Characteristics (20/20)

Teaching Aids : Animations

EC105.130 1
 Recap

• Name different semiconductor diodes

• What is a Zener diode

• Where do you find the Zener diode

EC105.130 2
 OBJECTIVES

On completion of this period, you would

be able to understand :
 Characteristics of zener Diode

 Specifications of zener diode

 Applications of zener diode

EC105.130 3
 Diodes manufactured to operate in
breakdown region are called BREAKDOWN
diodes.

 Invented by “C.Zener”

EC105.130 4
 Known to ….
 We have already discussed PN junction
diode in previous lessons
 Present topic ZENER DIODE is similar to
conventional PN junction diode .
 It has different mechanism to work which
enables it to have its special applications
 We will now see these features
EC105.130 5
VI CHARACTERISTICS OF ZENER
DIODE

 Voltage versus current characteristics of zener

diode.

 Characteristics in forward bias.

 Characteristics in reverse bias.

EC105.130 6
FORWARD BIAS CHARACTERSTICS

Anode cathode

V
Fig 1. zener diode in forward bias

EC105.130 7
 FORWARD BIAS
CHARACTERSTICS
IF(mA)

VF(V)

Cutin voltage
Fig2. Forward bias charactersticas of zener diode

EC105.130 8
FORWARD BIAS CHARACTERSTICS

 Characteristics same as pn diode.

 Not operated in forward bias.

EC105.130 9
REVERSE BIAS CHARACTERSTICS

Anode cathode

V
Fig 3. Zener diode in Reverse bias

EC105.130 10
REVERSE BIAS CHARACTERSTICS

ZenerBreakdown

VR(V)

Vz

Reverse Bias

IR (uA)
Fig 4. Reverse Bias characterstics of zener diode
EC105.130 11
 REVERSE BIAS CHARACTERSTICS

 Always operated in reverse bias.

 Reverse voltage at which current increases suddenly
and sharply
 known as Zener break down voltage.
 Zener break down occurs lower voltages than avalanche
break down voltage.
 After break down the reverse voltage VZ remains
constant.

EC105.130 12
 VI CHARACTERISTICS

Fig 5. VI characteristics of Zener diode

EC105.130 13
 APPLICATIONS OF
ZENER DIODE

 Used as voltage regulator.

 Also used in clipper circuits

EC105.130 14
 SPECIFICATIONS OF ZENER DIODE
Specifications of 1n746 zener diode.

Zener Voltage: 3.3V

Tolerance range of
zener voltage: +5% to +10%
Test current IZT: 20 mA
Maximum zener
Impedance ZZT: 28 ohms

EC105.130 15
 SPECIFICATIONS OF ZENER DIODE
Specifications of 1n746 zener diode.

Maximum d.c. zener 110mA

current:
Reverse leakage 10uA
current Is:
Maximum power 500 mw up to 75 w
dissipation:

EC105.130 16
 QUIZ

1. Zener diode in forward bias is

a) works differently
b) works same as pn diode
c) enters in break down
d) none of the above

EC105.130 17
 QUIZ

2. Zener diode acts as a constant voltage

source

• Under forward bias

• Under reverse bias of less than VZ
• Under reverse bias of more than VZ
• Always

EC105.130 18
 QUIZ

3. Main application of zener diode is

• rectifier
• filter
• amplifier
• regulator

EC105.130 19
 QUIZ

4. Zener diode always operates in

• Reverse bias
• Forward bias
• Any way

EC105.130 20
 SUMMARY
We have discussed :

 Zener diode in forward bias

 Zener diode in reverse bias.
 Applications of zener diode
 Specifications of zener diode

EC105.130 21
Frequently asked questions

1. Draw the reverse characteristics of

zener diode and explain.

3. List the specifications of zener

diode.

5. List the applications of zener diode

EC105.130 22