A Zener diode exhibits almost the same properties, except the device is specially designed so as to have a reduced breakdown voltage, the so-called Zener voltage. Unless this current is limited by circuitry, the diode may be permanently damaged due to overheating. When the reverse bias breakdown voltage is exceeded, a conventional diode is subject to high current due to avalanche breakdown. Temperature coefficient of Zener voltage against nominal Zener voltage.Ī conventional solid-state diode allows significant current if it is reverse-biased above its reverse breakdown voltage. They are also used to protect circuits from overvoltage, especially electrostatic discharge (ESD). 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. Zener diodes are widely used in electronic equipment of all kinds and are one of the basic building blocks of electronic circuits. Both breakdown types are used in Zener diodes with the Zener effect predominating under 5.6 V and avalanche breakdown above. However, many diodes described as "Zener" diodes rely instead on avalanche breakdown. Zener reverse breakdown is due to electron quantum tunnelling caused by a high-strength electric field. The device was named after Clarence Melvin Zener, who discovered the Zener effect. Also normal diodes are not designed to operate in the breakdown region, but Zener diodes can reliably operate in this region. Normal diodes will also break down with a reverse voltage but the voltage and sharpness of the knee are not as well defined as for a Zener diode. Zener diodes have a highly doped p-n junction. A Zener diode is a particular type of diode that, unlike a normal one, allows current to flow not only from its anode to its cathode, but also in the reverse direction, when the Zener voltage is reached.
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