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Electronic Circuits. VOLTAGE REGULATION. Electronic Circuits. THE ZENER REGULATOR;. Electronic Circuits. The zener diode is operated in its reverse bias mode (positive on its cathode) and relies on the reverse breakdown voltage occurring at a specified value.
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Electronic Circuits VOLTAGE REGULATION
Electronic Circuits THE ZENER REGULATOR;
Electronic Circuits • The zener diode is operated in its reverse bias mode (positive on its cathode) and relies on the reverse breakdown voltage occurring at a specified value. THE REMAINDER OF THE UNREGULATED VOLTAGE DROPS ACROSS THE RESISTOR “R” WITHIN THE DESIGN LIMITS THE LOAD RESISTOR “RL” SEES A CONSTANT VOLTAGE REGARDLESS OF CURRENT THE ZENER DIODE DROPS CONSTANT VOLTAGE
Electronic Circuits • When being used a voltage regulator, if the voltage across the load tries to rise then the Zener passes more current. • The increase in current through the resistor causes an increase in the voltage dropped across the resistor. • This increased in voltage across the resistor causes the voltage across the load to remain at a constant value.
Electronic Circuits • In a similar manner, if the voltage across the load tries to fall, then the zener passes less current. • The current through the resistor drops and the voltage across the resistor both falls, maintaining the correct voltage across the load RL. • Zenering current or Izt is the minimum current that must flow through the zener to maintain a fixed voltage.
Electronic Circuits • Also called the zener diode turn on current (Izt), it must not fall below a certain limit. At that point voltage regulation will cease. • Thus a zener diode makes is valuable in regulating the output voltage against both variations in the input voltage from an unregulated power supply or variations in the load resistance. • The current through the zener will change to keep the voltage to within the design limits.