Zener Diodes

This video explains the general characteristics of zener diodes and describes a couple of ways that zener diodes are used. The first application of zener diodes is for voltage protection and this video shows an example of that. The second application is for voltage regulation and this video describes how zeners regulate voltage to a load. An in depth analysis is done on how a particular circuit maintains regulation as the load changes.

David Williams

[Saphrix]

About time we get some decent circuit analysis explanations without a thick Indian accent that is impossible to understand

[TemporalOnline]

Thank you very much for this explanation, the comparison with the rectifier diode side by side sold it to me. Thanks.

[pravinrajan]

You saved my life. Who else having exam tomorrow?

[Festus]

This is the first time I've heard any talk of a minimum CURRENT to turn on the Zener diode. All the videos I've seen just speak of the Zener VOLTAGE necessary to turn it on, in the reverse bias mode. Could you possibly explain this concept of minimum current eg. is this a minimum current for the diode to function AFTER the Zener voltage is achieved?

[PowerRangerTalk]

Great video but there is a math error. You said I_s = 342mA but, (10-6.8)= 3.2 and 3.2/10 = 320mA not 342mA, Therefore your resistor value would be < ~39.31ohms. SO for the other R value would have to be 21.32 ohms
21.31 < R < 39.31

[trevortjes]

If I have a piezo element and an input pin (for instance a digital input pin of an arduino), could I use the protection at around 4:00 to protect this pin with a zener diode rated at 5 volts? Or does the pin need more protection since a piezo element is able to create big voltage spikes.

[dalenassar]

Thank you for all of the valuable information on zeners...I have a question to which I can't find the answer:
I am using a 600v zener regulator (three 200v zeners in series with an 800v DC input) which works great, HOWEVER, I now need to input 800v --AC-- into the standard zener circuit at a few kHz. So...

Can an 800v --AC-- signal be used as the zener input through the input resistor??? I need a negative dip in order to turn off the circuit with an SCR.
MUCH THANKS!

[saikick]

Hi, may i know how can i calculate Iz and IL with zener impedence and knee/test currents?




Really need it for a test, thanks!

[JeremyDismukes]

What program are you using to draw all this digitally

[peacebewu]

on the graph of @4:42....wouldn't the positive have be like a square wave since the zener only conducts at 5v?

[Mixbag]

i am making a 5v usb charger maximum 5A from a LM1084IT ADJ. ... i want to protect the output to know more than 5.6v to obviously protect the phone thats being charged incase something goes wrong with the regulator..can i use a BZX84-C5V6 SMD 5.6V 250mW and would i need a resistor in series with the diode ? hope you can help

[electrosandy]

nice usefull video.
which software you used to make this tutorial?

[Jay]

Just so you know how good you are at teaching, I'm a french speaker, and i totally understood how to do my homeworks after watching you video.
Thank you

Could you just explain how you knew what Rs you had to use ?
You have chosen 10ohm for the safety resistance but if i take a power supply of 24volt, is 10ohm still enough to protect the zener ?

[DrHarryT]

The efficiency goes up the closer the source voltage is to the desired load or Zener voltage.

[HighestRank]

at 11:47 where is this "load resistor" that you spoke of, it is not labeled on the diagram.

[zakc]

is the zener diode essentially a short circuit when current is flowing through it? If so, why how does current flow through the load resistor when the zener diode is active for the last example?

[anticom]

Using I and V on the axis seems rather inconsistent. Still a good explanation.

[nityahvpn]

ptc resistor is called
thermistor
varistor?

[nityahvpn]

zener diode connection in a ckt always
series
forward
parllel
reverse