Zener Diode application

Zener diode:

Zener diode,also sometime called the breakdown diode,is a P-N junction diode specially designed for operation in the breakdown region in reverse bias condition. the diode may use either zener breakdown mechanism or avalanche breakdown mechanism.

the breakdown diode may be silicon or germanium one but silicon is preferred over germanium because of higher operating tempature and current capability.

Zener Diode have numerous applications in transistor circuitry. some of their common applications are explained below. 

       1. zener Diode shunt Regulator(or voltage regulation).

 voltage regulation is a measure of a circuit's ability to maintain a constant output voltage even when either input voltage or load current varies.

electronic symbol of zener diode

Zener diode can be use a voltage regulator to provide a constant voltage from a source whose voltage may very  appreciably. 

2.Meter protection:

 Zener diodes can be used as meter protection. a zener diode protect a meter movement or circuit against damage from an accidental application of excessive voltage. in this arrangement zener diode is connected in parallel with meter.

3.Switching Operation:

Zener diode can produce a sudden change from low current to high current,so it is useful for switching operations. the use of zener diode in switching operation has made possible an extremely fast performance in computer applications.