how can we use zener diode as a voltage regulator.
In: Engineering
A zener diode is designed with a specific reverse breakdown voltage. Normal diodes will have a low forwarding voltage that is too low to be used as power regulators. However by using a zener diode in reverse you get a forward voltage that is close to the voltage used in electronic circuits. There is several ways of using a zener diode in a voltage regulator. The simplest way is a shunt regulator where you use a zener diode to short circuit the power if it becomes too high voltage. You may also use a zener diode to signal a transistor to reduce the current through the circuit, this way you only use the zener diode as a voltage referance.
A zener diode only wants to negitive voltage to equal it’s zener breakdown voltage. As you decrease the voltage beyond that point, it will draw more current to bring the voltage back to the point that it wants.
Think of it like one of those large circular drains in a pond. When the water level is below the lip of the drain, no water current flows. As you increase the water level above the lip of the drain, more water flows until the pond is at the lip level. Higher water above the lip, more current to bring it back to the expected point.
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