What is the range of voltage should i supply to a zener diode?

Answer 1

If you're using it as a voltage reference, you'll have a resistor in series with it to limit the current.

A zener conducts in the forward direction just like any other diode. But, in the reverse direction, its 'reverse breakdown voltage' is more closely controlled than a signal or power diode.

For the zener to regulate effectively it needs to have it's 'nominal' zener current flowing through it in reverse conduction (you can get that number from a data sheet). If one isn't given, use the 'test current' value.

You can calculate the resistor value from

R = (Vs - Vz)/Iz where

R = series resistance
Vs = supply voltage
Vz = Zener voltage
Iz = Zener current

And remember that the power dissipated by the diode is the product of the voltage across it (the Zener voltage) and the current through it. The power dissipated by the resistor is (Vs-Vz)*Iz.

Try not to fry anything


Doug

Answer 2

Zeners have two general uses. 1. as a reference voltage.
2. as a shunt type voltage regulator.
Either way the greater the voltage of supply, the more stable will be the zener voltage. This is particularly so if the function is a reference voltage. The voltage across a zener, once it has reached it's zener voltage will still vary dependant on the current going through the zener. So the closer that a constant current source to supply the zener, the better. One approximation of constant current is a very high voltage source. Another way of improving the stability of a reference zener is to incorporate a normal silicon diode in series with the zener in forward conduction mode. This will offer much better temperature stability and in fact one can purchase just such zeners termed reference diodes.
Naturally the resistor used to supply the voltage to the Zener needs to be selected such that the rated dissipation of the diode is not exceeded. Typical Zeners are 400mW, so an example is say 6.2 volt zener, maximum current would be 0.4/6.2=0.0645 Amps or 64.5 milliamps. It is not a good idea to run zeners at their maximum rated value, because that value assumes that the temperature will not exceed 25 deg C. Choose a low figure for reference, like 5 milliamps. So lets say an available source Voltage is 90 volts then choose 90/0.005= 18,000 ohms as your zener supply resistor. Good luck!

Answer 3

You need to check the manufacturer's specs. It could be a couple of volts, it could be hundreds of volts. Also, if you describe your own application or circuit then you're more likely to get a useful answer.

Answer 4

it is specified by the manufacturer(babablacksheep).commonly it is about 9V above this it gets breakdown