Zener Diode - 12 Volt

Key Features:-

1. Voltage Regulation: A Zener diode, when properly biased in the reverse direction, maintains a nearly constant output voltage across its terminals, regardless of variations in the input voltage or load current. In this case, the Zener voltage is approximately 12V.

2. Reverse Breakdown: Unlike regular diodes that are designed to block reverse current, Zener diodes are designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region. When the reverse voltage applied across the diode reaches its Zener voltage, it starts conducting in the reverse direction.

3. Stable Reference: Zener diodes are often used as stable voltage references in circuits to provide a known, constant voltage for other components.

Functionality:

The primary function of a 12V Zener diode is to maintain a stable output voltage of approximately 12V across its terminals when operated in the reverse breakdown region. This voltage is known as the Zener voltage or Vz. The Zener diode conducts current in the reverse direction as long as the reverse voltage across it is greater than or equal to Vz.

Applications:

• Voltage Regulation: They are commonly used to regulate and stabilize voltage levels in power supplies, ensuring that the output voltage remains constant.

• Voltage Reference: Zener diodes serve as voltage references in analog circuits, providing a stable voltage for precision measurements and calibration.

• Overvoltage Protection: Zener diodes can be used to protect sensitive components from voltage spikes and overvoltage conditions.

• Signal Clipping: In signal processing circuits, Zener diodes can be used to clip or limit the amplitude of signals.

• Voltage Measurement: They are used in voltage measurement circuits and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) as known voltage references.