ESP Logo  Elliott Sound Products AN-008   How to Use Zener
Diodes Rod Elliott (ESP)  Share |  About Zeners Zener diodes are
very common for basic voltage regulation tasks. They are used as
discrete components, and also within ICs that require a
reference voltage. Zener diodes (also sometimes called voltage
reference diodes) act like a normal silicon diode in the forward
direction, but are designed to break down at a specific voltage
when subjected to a reverse voltage.  All diodes will do this,
but usually at voltages that are unpredictable and much too high
for normal voltage regulation tasks. There are two different
effects that are used in Zener diodes ...  Below around 5.5
Volts, the zener effect is predominant, with avalanche breakdown
the primary effect at higher voltages. While I have no intention
to go into specific details, there is a great deal of
information on the Net (See References) for those who want to
know more. Because the two effects have opposite thermal
characteristics, zener diodes at cl