what is a zener diode? why is it used? how does it work? what is the...

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Electrical Engineering

what is a zener diode? why is it used? how does it work? what isthe benefit of using a zener diode?

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A Zener diode is a particular type of diode that unlike a normal one allows current to flow not only from its anode to its cathode but also in the reverse direction when the Zener voltage is reached Zener diodes have a highly doped pn junction Normal diodes will also break down with a reverse voltage but the voltage and sharpness of the knee are not as well defined as for a Zener diode Also normal diodes are not designed to operate in the breakdown region but Zener diodes can reliably operate in this region The device was named after Clarence Melvin Zener who discovered the Zener effect Zener reverse breakdown is due to electron quantum tunnelling caused by a highstrength electric field However many diodes described as Zener diodes rely instead on avalanche breakdown Both breakdown types are used in Zener diodes with the Zener effect predominating under 56 V and See Answer

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