Zener Diode Flashcards
How does Zener Diode act?
a voltage regulator alone or in conjunction with other semi-conductor devices
True or False?
the overall forward and reverse characteristics of zener diode are similar to standard silicon diode
True
How does a Zener Diode normally operate ?
in reverse breakdown
What is the Zener Diode often called?
an avalanche diode
When a source voltage is applied to Zener Diode in the reverse direction what happens?
the resistance of PN Junction remains quite high and should only produce leakage of the microampere range
What were to happen if Reverse Voltage is increased?
the junction would reach critical voltage and an avalanche would occur
When avalanche resistance is reached, what happens to the PN Junction
the normally high resistance drops to a low value and the current increases rapidly
True or False?
the overall forward and reverse characteristics of Zener diode are similar to standard silicon diode
True
True or False?
the overall forward and reverse characteristics of Zener diode are similar to standard silicon diode
True
how are Zener diodes installed?
in series with a current-limiting resistor or
in parallel with the load(also called a shunt regulator)
What happens when the voltage across the Zener diode is increased?
resistance of the diode is decreased
Zener diodes are capable of limiting either positive or negative segments of an AC cycle when_____?
when supplied with alternating current and connected as a shunt
decreasing the voltage across the Zener diode causes what
the current through it decreases and R1 drops less voltage
as the load decreases or increases, the Zener diode(acting as a shunt) will_____?
will draw more or less current respectively
