Zener,Diode,what Dif?

[Muhammad89]

a zener-diode is typically used as a regulator where a simple diode is used as a rectifier, what makes that difference?what is the sth in both junctions that creates this difference? can azener be used as a rectifier? and why cant a diode be used as a regulator?


Muhammad89

 

[audioguru]

A zener diode is designed to break down at its rated reverse voltage.
A rectifier diode has a high rated reverse voltage.

Both are diodes so both can be forward biased rectifiers if the voltage is low for the zener diode.

 

[Diver300]

In the forward direction a diode behaves just like a zener diode.

In the reverse direction a zener diode will conduct at the zener voltage. The zener voltage is known and within certain limits. The zener voltage does not change much with current and making the zener diode conduct like that won't damage it as long as it doesn't get to hot.

In the reverse direction and ordinary diode will not conduct up to its breakdown voltage. The breakdown voltage may vary a lot within one type of diode. It will also vary a lot with current, and making the diode break down may damage it.

In short, use diodes in the way that they were meant to be used.

I don't know what is inside a zener that makes it work the way it does.

 

[Willbe]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode

"In a 5.6 V [Zener] diode, the two effects occur together and their temperature coefficients neatly cancel each other out, thus the 5.6 V diode is the component of choice in temperature-critical applications."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalanche_breakdown

 

[crutschow]

what is the sth in both junctions that creates this difference?

A rectifier diode junction is doped in a manner to give a high breakdown voltage, and they are designed to break down above their rated value. A zener diode junction is doped to provide a controlled and lower voltage breakdown at a specified voltage. It's related to the doping profiles and magnitude of doping at the PN junction.

 

[Muhammad89]

A rectifier diode junction is doped in a manner to give a high breakdown voltage, and they are designed to break down above their rated value. A zener diode junction is doped to provide a controlled and lower voltage breakdown at a specified voltage. It's related to the doping profiles and magnitude of doping at the PN junction.

Ooooh, I can tel!

 

[architmh]

crutschow is right.the diff in characteristics are totally dependent on doping level... zener diode is a reverse biased heavily-doped PN junction diode operated in the breakdown region only...tats y it is not used as a regulator...