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Is TVS diode a Zener diode?
One common misconception is that TVS diodes and Zener diodes are the same thing, and I often hear TVS diodes referred to as “Zeners”. TVS diodes and Zener diodes are engineered for very different applications. Zener diodes are designed to regulate voltage and therefore operate in the breakdown region (Figure 2).
What is a bidirectional zener diode?
Technically a single zener diode is bi-directional , however the functionality of the Zener diode in unidirectional and is therefore called unidirectional. That being said there are Bi-Directional Diodes. These devices are actually made using two diodes.
When does a Zener diode act as a normal diode?
Zener Diode acts as a normal diode when the applied voltage is less than the Zener breakdown voltage . Hence it is widely used in Clipping Circuits. Clipping Circuits could be designed to clip the signal in the positive, negative or both regions.
What are the ratings of a Zener diode?
Zener Diode Ratings Zener Voltage (Vz) Tolerance of Zener Diode Effect of Temperature on Zener Diode Power Ratings (P ZM) of Zener Diode Maximum Current Ratings (I ZM) Zener Resistance (R ZT)
What is varistor vs TVS diode?
Chip varistors are ceramic semiconductor products based mainly on zinc oxide. As the illustration below shows, chip varistors have a laminated structure, with breakdown voltage and capacitance being controlled by the number of layers and the interlayer design. TVS diodes on the other hand are a combination of P-type and N-type semiconductors.
What is the purpose of a Zener diode?
Zener diodes are widely used in electronic equipment of all kinds and are one of the basic building blocks of electronic circuits. They are used to generate low-power stabilized supply rails from a higher voltage and to provide reference voltages for circuits, especially stabilized power supplies.