Zener Diode

Problems

MENJANA MINDA KREATIF DAN INOVATIF

Zener Diodes
The analysis of Zener diodes can be divided into 3
categories:
Fixed Vi and RL
Fixed Vi, variable RL
Variable Vi, fixed RL
To make the analysis simple, the analysis will be
explain directly from the examples

Example 1a (Fixed Vi and RL)

Determine VL, VR and IZ

Example 1a (Fixed Vi and RL)

To check whether VZ is in the on or off mode, the
value of VL must be determine first
To do that, take out the Zener diode from the diode
The circuit become:

Example 1a (Fixed Vi and RL)

By doing a nodal analysis for the node VL

16 VL
VL
=
1k
1. 2 k
VL = 8.73 V
As we can see, the value of VL is smaller than VZ, so the Zener
diode is in the off mode
Which will result in:

IZ = 0 A

And:

Vi = VR + VL
VR = 16 8.73 = 7.27 V

Example 1b (Fixed Vi and RL)

Repeat Example 1a with RL = 3k

3 k

Example 1b (Fixed Vi and RL)

The same analysis is repeated from Example 2.26a where the
Zener diode is taken out to examine the value of VL
The circuit becomes:

Example 1b (Fixed Vi and RL)

By doing a nodal analysis for the node VL

16 VL VL
=
1k
3k
VL = 12 V
As we can see, the value of VL is larger than VZ, so the Zener
diode is in the on mode
When the Zener diode is in the on mode, it will maintain the
voltage of 10V. Because of that VL becomes:

VL = VZ = 10 V

And VR becomes:

VR = 16 10 = 6 V

Example 1b (Fixed Vi and RL)

Using current divider theory:
I Z = Ii I L
=

VR VL

R RL

6 10
=
1k 3k
= 2.67 mA

Example 2 (Fixed Vi , Variable RL)

Determine the range of RL and IL that will result in VL being
maintained at 10 V

Example 2 (Fixed Vi , Variable RL)

To maintain VL at 10 V, the Zener diode must be in the on
mode
For IZM = 32 mA, the current at load:

I L (min) = I R I ZM
50 10
32m
1k
= 8 mA
=

The load would be:

VL 10
RL (max) =
=
= 1.25 k
I L 8m

Example 2 (Fixed Vi , Variable RL)

For IZ(min), the Zener diode are assume off but the voltage VZ
are maintained at 10 V
The load current would be:

IL = IR
50 10
=
1k
= 40 mA
The load would be:

RL =

VL
10
=
= 250
I L 40m

Example 2 (Fixed Vi , Variable RL)

Use given minimum value of zener voltage, VZ as a load

voltage, VL
The load would be:

RL (min) =

VL (R ) 10(1k )
=
= 250
Vi VL 50 10

The load current would be:

VL
I L (max) =
RL (min)
10
=
250
= 40 mA

Example 2 (Fixed Vi, Variable RL)

Retrieve back all the IL and RL value:

IL (min)

RL (max)

I L = 8 mA

RL = 1.25 k

I L = 40 mA

RL = 250

IL (max)

RL (min)

Example 3 (Variable Vi, Fixed RL)

Determine the range of Vi that will maintain the Zener diode in

the on mode

Example 3 (Variable Vi, Fixed RL)

To maintain Zener diode in on mode, VZ must equal to VL:

VZ = VL = 20 V
Taking the maximum current of the Zener diode, input current
becomes:

I R = I ZM + I L

20
1.2k
= 76.67 mA
= 60m +

The input voltage will become:

Vi (max) 20 = I R R = (76.67m)(220)
Vi (max) = 36.87 V

Example 3 (Variable Vi, Fixed RL)

For IZ(min), the Zener diode are assume off but the voltage VZ
are maintained at 20 V
Using nodal analysis at node VL:

Vi 20
20
=
220
1.2k
Vi (min) = 23.67 V
Retrieve back all the value of Vi:

Vi = 36.87 V Vi = 23.67 V

Vi (max)

Vi (min)