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.
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