Talk:Zener diode
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[edit] Diode destruction
IIs the reason that a normal diode "destroys itself" due to avalanche breakdown? If so, then we should say this explicitly. Also, a diode doesn't ever really destroy itself, unless it is connected to a very low resistance path. In this case, a diode can destroy itself in reverse bias as well as forward bias, can it not? So, we should remove this vagueness I think, and be a bit more clear. I can make the changes, I just want to check with the other authors first. I guess I could also check a textbook, but I don't have one with me right at this moment. --User:Dgrant
- Sort of. Avalanche breakdown in itself doesn't damage the device; in fact the effect is used a lot for small current amplification in devices like p-i-n avalanche photodiodes. What really destroys the device is the excessive current flow. If that current flow is limited by external circuitry, the diode could remain operational in its avalanche breakdown region. So yes, as you said, the diode can just as easily be destroyed at high forward bias because of excessive current. -- uberpenguin
@ 2006-06-25 13:14Z
[edit] Zener breakdown
We should also have a diagram to show how Zener breakdown occurs. Without a diagram showing the mechanism and/or the I-V relationship, this article is sadly, fairly useless. I will draw one homemade using Xfig, unless someone beats me to it. --User:Dgrant
[edit] pronunciation
There seems to be disagreement on whether Zener is pronounced like "zeener" or "zenner," possibly a British/American distinction. Authoritative comments on this would be helpful. --teejaydub
- The Chambers Dictionary (British) says "zeener", which is annoying, because I have always pronounced it "zenner". Perhaps "zenner" is more natural for Brits because of the "zed"/"zee" thing. --Heron 20:22, 29 July 2005 (UTC)
[edit] unneccessary statement
"Zener diodes are widely used in electronic circuits." - when the hell else are diodes used? I'm totally deletizing that one. Fresheneesz 21:34, 2 February 2006 (UTC)
[edit] uses
I've been studying this topic, and am wondering what the effect of the resistor in the shunt voltage regulator is. Does the remaining voltage lie across it? What values are reasonable, etc? --Drewnoakes 22:38, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Transwiki note
Most or all of this article was transwikied to wikibooks 18:37, 16 August 2006. Anyone know why? The user (IP only) did not copy the edit history or talk... I'll be happy to do that if there's a reason it was sent over. --SB_Johnny | talk 23:55, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Zener Breakdown
More information on the Zener Diode Breakdown would be great!!
- A very thin energy barrier due to large reverse bias and allowed energy states on both sides of the barrier gives rise to a high probability of quantum tunneling, a.k.a. Zener breakdown. -- mattb
@ 2006-09-19T17:17Z
[edit] Behaviour at low current
"If insufficient current flows through D, then UOUT will be unregulated, and could rise as high as UIN." - could someone provide a reference for this claim. A zener diode can be modelled as a perfect zener diode with a resistor in series and a resistor in parallel. Whilst the output is unregulated at low currents (heavily dependent on the current flow through the diode), the output voltage will always be less than the nominal zener voltage. --PeterJeremy 00:50, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
In view of the lack of comments, I have corrected the statement, adding a reference to the behaviour of Voltage regulator tubes - which do behave as was previously written. --PeterJeremy 09:01, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
