DIODA ZENER

Objectives
• After completing this chapter, you will be
able to:
– Describe the function and characteristics of a
zener diode
– Draw and label the schematic symbol for a
zener diode
– Explain how a zener diode operates as a
voltage regulator
 Objectives
– Describe the procedure for testing zener
diodes
 Zener Diodes
 A zener diode is a special diode
that has been optimized for
operation in the breakdown
region.
 Voltage regulation is the most
common application of a zener
diode.
 Fig. 1 shows the schematic
symbol for a zener diode.

Fig. 1
 Breakdown Voltage
Nilai tegangan minimal pada dioda untuk dapat mengalirkan arus
listrik
The breakdown voltage is a function of the doping concentrations
in the n- and p-region of the pn junction.
Large doping concentrations result in smaller break-down voltage.

Reverse biased voltage – ET 

The electric field may become large enough for the covalent bond
to break, causing electron-hole pairs to be created.
So, electrons from p-type are swept to n-region by the electric
field and holes from the n-type are swept to the p-region
The movement will create reverse biased current known as the
Zener Effect.

© Electronics ECE 1231

 Zener Diode Characteristics
• Zener diode
– Operates at voltages that exceed (melebihi)
breakdown voltage
– Manufactured with a specific breakdown voltage (EZ)
– Packaged like PN junction diodes
• Power dissipation (Disipasi daya)
Adalah sebuah proses dimana listrik atau peralatan
elektronik menghasilkan panas (or other waste energy)
sebagai produk yang tidak diinginkan.
– Based on temperature and lead lengths
Zener Diode Characteristics

Figure 21-1. Zener diode packages.

Zener Diode Characteristics

Figure 21-2. Schematic symbol for a zener diode.

 Zener Effect and Zener Diode
 The applied reverse biased voltage cannot increase without limit since at
some point breakdown occurs causing current to increase rapidly.
 The voltage at that point is known as the breakdown voltage, VZ
 Diodes are fabricated with a specifically design breakdown voltage and are
designed to operate in the breakdown region are called Zener diodes. Circuit
symbol of the Zener diode:
NOTE: When a Zener diode is reverse-
biased, it acts at the breakdown region,
when it is forward biased, it acts like a
normal PN junction diode

 Such a diode can be used as a constant-voltage reference in a circuit.

 The large current that may exist at breakdown can cause heating effects and
catastrophic failure of the diode due to the large power dissipated in the device.
 Diodes can be operated in the breakdown region by limiting the current to a
value within the capacities of the device.

© Electronics ECE 1231

 Zener Diode Ratings
• Positive zener voltage-temperature
coefficient
– Breakdown voltage increases as temperature
increases
• Negative zener voltage-temperature
coefficient
– Breakdown voltage decreases as temperature
increases
Voltage Regulator
Voltage Regulator - Zener Diode

A voltage regulator supplies constant voltage to a load.

 The breakdown voltage of a Zener
diode is nearly constant over a wide
range of reverse-bias currents.
 This make the Zener diode useful in
a voltage regulator, or a constant-
voltage reference circuit.
3. The remainder
of VPS drops
across Ri

2. The load
resistor
sees a
constant
voltage
regardless
1. The zener diode holds of the
(menahan) the voltage current
constant regardless (tanpa
memperhatikan) of the
current
Voltage Regulation with
Zener Diodes

Figure 21-3. Typical zener diode regulator circuit.

Voltage Regulation with
Zener Diodes

Figure 21-4. Zener diode voltage regulator with load.

Testing Zener Diodes

Figure Setup for testing zener diode regulation.

 Summary
• Zener diodes are designed to operate at
voltages greater than the breakdown
voltage (peak reverse voltage)
• The breakdown voltage of a zener diode is
determined by the resistivity of the diode
• Zener diodes are used to stabilize or
regulate voltage
 Summary
• Zener diode regulators provide a constant
output voltage despite changes in the
input voltage or output current
• To determine whether a zener diode is
regulating at the proper voltage, a
regulation test must be performed