What is a 12V zener diode?

A Zener diode works like a normal diode in the FORWARD direction, but when voltage is applied in the REVERSE direction it does something really useful. At a specified reverse voltage it starts to conduct. In other words, if you apply, say 12V (for a 12V Zener) across the diode it will start to conduct current.

Is a diode a regulator?

Since this breakdown voltage is also called Zener voltage, voltage regulator diodes are also called Zener diodes. This voltage may be used as a constant voltage power supply or a reference voltage for electronic circuits.

Can diode be used as voltage regulator?

Zener Diodes are widely used as Shunt Voltage Regulators to regulate the voltage across small loads. Zener Diodes have a sharp reverse breakdown voltage and breakdown voltage will be constant for a wide range of currents.

Are diodes voltage regulators?

Since this breakdown voltage is also called Zener voltage, voltage regulator diodes are also called Zener diodes. This voltage may be used as a constant voltage power supply or a reference voltage for electronic circuits. (Note: Generally, the Zener phenomenon is observed when the voltage is 6 V or less.

How does Zener diode works?

A Zener diode is a silicon semiconductor device that permits current to flow in either a forward or reverse direction. The diode consists of a special, heavily doped p-n junction, designed to conduct in the reverse direction when a certain specified voltage is reached.

What are the important specifications of a Zener diode?

Zener Diode Specifications:

• Zener/Breakdown Voltage – The Zener or the opposite breakdown voltage goes from 2.4 V to 200 V, at times it can go up to 1 kV while the greatest for the surface-mounted gadget is 47 V.
• Current Iz (max) – It is the greatest current at the evaluated Zener Voltage (Vz – 200μA to 200 A)

Where is photodiode used?

Photodiodes are used in consumer electronics devices such as compact disc players, smoke detectors, medical devices and the receivers for infrared remote control devices used to control equipment from televisions to air conditioners. For many applications either photodiodes or photoconductors may be used.

What is Zener diode experiment?

Once the reverse voltage reaches the Zener breakdown voltage, the voltage across the device remains constant at that level. Hence we can use Zener diode for voltage regulation. The graph of voltage vs current of a diode is called its characteristic. Below you can see the characteristic.