What is a zener diode?

A tutorial on zener diodes and how to use them as voltage clamps, voltage regulators, and how to create audio distortion circuits.

[Afrotechmods]

Interested in learning about wireless power? Subscribers can get up to 80% off Wireless Power to the People - Wireless Charging 101 on udemy using the coupon code "YOUTUBE"

[greatscottlab]

Are you planning on doing a kickstarter for your Fartduino. It sounds promising ;-)

[alico]

This is the video that best explains the operation of zener diodes throughout YOUTUBE!! ... THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[PrinceWesterburg]

I'd heard of diode distortion in modern guitar amps but didn't know where to start - thanks so much! :o)

[serenadawn]

Thank you thank you thank you! I was not grasping Zener diodes in my Introduction to Electronics class at all! You've helped clarify ALOT!

[mechguy]

i hope you come back one day its been a few years hope your ok bud, btw you taught my 10 year alot she going to take an electronics course one day.

[cbcdesign]

We use Zener diodes a lot. 0.4W for reference and clamping circuits drawing up to a few milliamps and larger 1.3W versions for regulating rail voltages on comparator circuits with loads up to 50mA in some cases. Zeners only handle the surplus current in a circuit where the load at a given voltage is continuous. It is a very useful component.

[CPOSTCPOST]

WOW, YOU REALLY MAKE A GREAT TUTORIAL... IF ONLY I HAD THESE VIDEOS IN MY EE CLASSES CIRCA 1976!

[Braeden]

I found you from your transistor video, and I'm so happy to see you have other fantastic tutorials You're channel is exactly what I was looking for.

[Abdullahjimmy]

Really appreciated the video :)
More easier to understand than what the proffesor said.

[bits]

THANK YOU I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FOR FOREVER

[zezeA]

Thanks for uploading the tutorial I have asked for!

[larrydixon]

The best electronics videos out there keep up the good work

[ChrisFredriksson]

Would you consider doing a followup to this video with more circuit "protection", with how to more completely protect an analog input from both negative and high voltage and high currents, for example from a magnet switch in an alarm system, which could be subject to sabotage of hundreds or thousands of volts/amps? How would you easily but very efficiently protect against that? Great video, as always, I love these! =)

[Azam]

the TL431 can be used as a programmable voltage regulator (reference). That means you can actually use a Voltage divider to get the output you want. I hope you make a small tutorial about the TL431 and its uses. great video
thanks

[AOK]

I like it...at 5min alligator clips on breadboard show previous "high voltage" or grounding experiments etc... NICE touch.

[douggale]

The description I've heard more often is, it is like a regular diode with a very low breakdown voltage, constructed in such a way as to allow the breakdown voltage to be exceeded without damage. I've wondered how accurate an analogy based description can be, though.

[calogiga]

Terrific ! This is very well explained ! I understand for the first time the Zener diode. Thanks !!!!

[zedlepplin]

Very clear, this video an be my whole analog ckt lab report for zener diodes. Thank yousir!

[stemmaster]

I have a fartduino...however when I received it in the package it smelled a bit... off.