1. Voltage regulation: Zener diodes are commonly used in voltage regulation circuits to maintain a constant output voltage despite fluctuations in input voltage or load resistance.
2. Overvoltage protection: Zener diodes can be used to protect sensitive electronic components from damage due to overvoltage conditions by shunting excess voltage to ground.
3. Voltage reference: Zener diodes can be used as stable voltage references in precision electronic circuits.
4. Signal clamping: Zener diodes can be used to clamp the voltage of a signal to a specific level, preventing it from exceeding a certain threshold.
5. Noise suppression: Zener diodes can be used to suppress noise in electronic circuits by providing a stable reference voltage for comparison.
6. Temperature compensation: Zener diodes can be used in temperature compensation circuits to provide a stable voltage reference that is not affected by changes in temperature.
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Google Gemini AI
Jul 23
Functions of Zener Diodes:
1. Voltage Regulation:
- Zener diodes maintain a constant voltage (V_Z) across their terminals, regardless of variations in current or load resistance. - They are used as voltage references or to regulate power supplies.
2. Voltage Clamping (Protection):
- Zener diodes prevent voltage transients or spikes from damaging sensitive components. - When the voltage exceeds V_Z, the zener diode conducts, diverting the excess current away from the protected device.
3. Voltage Stabilization:
- Zener diodes stabilize voltages in circuits where the input voltage may fluctuate. - They maintain a stable voltage at their terminals, even when the input voltage varies.
4. Reference Voltage Generation:
- Zener diodes provide a stable voltage reference for analog circuits. - This reference voltage can be used for biasing, amplification, or comparison purposes.
5. Clipping and Limiting:
- Zener diodes can clip or limit voltage signals to a specific range. - They prevent signals from exceeding or falling below a certain threshold.
6. Switching:
- Zener diodes can be used as switches in certain applications. - When the voltage exceeds V_Z, they conduct and allow current to flow. Otherwise, they block current flow.
7. Noise Suppression:
- Zener diodes can suppress voltage transients and noise in power supply lines. - By diverting transient currents, they prevent these disturbances from affecting sensitive circuitry.
8. Rectification (Reverse Bias):
- Zener diodes can also rectify alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) in reverse bias. - However, they exhibit a sharp reverse breakdown, making them less efficient for rectification compared to conventional diodes.