Hello, friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today’s tutorial, we will discuss the Difference Between PN Junction & Zener Diode. The main difference between the Pn junction diode and Zener diode is that in Pn junction diode current can flow in only a single direction while in the Zener diode can both forward and reverse biased conditions. Pn junction diode is used as a rectifier that transforms ac into dc. It is a switching device that permits to flow of current in forward biasing conditions.
While in Zener current can pass in both reverse and forward biasing conditions. Zener diode is used as a voltage regulator since in electronic circuitry it delivers the constant value of voltage from the input to the output. In today’s post, we will have a detailed look at both pn junction and Zener diode and compare them to find their differences. So let’s get started with the Difference Between PN Junction & Zener Diode.
Difference Between PN Junction & Zener Diode
Pn Junction Diode
- It is an electronic component that is used to the conversion of ac into the dc or causes current to flow only in the forward-biased condition is called pn junction diode.
- It does not operate in reverse biased condition and reversing current can damage this device.
- It needed less doping level than the Zener diode.
- It is designed with the use of silicon and germanium. Generally, silicon is used more than germanium
- Silicon is preferred since it can withstand high value of temperature
- Its breakdown occurs at a large value of voltage.
- There are two modes of biasing for diode the first one is forward biased and the second one is reverse-biased
- Its operation is according to Ohm’s law.
- Its common application is rectifier circuits where it converts ac in dc.
Zener Diode
- The category of diode through which current can pass in both forward and reverse biased directions is called a Zener diode.
- Contrary to the PN junction diode there is no effect of reverse current on the Zener diode.
- It required a higher doping level than the PN junction diode.
- Its design can high value of more zener voltage and can be varied according to applications.
- Its pn junction is highly doped having less Zener voltage
- Due to Zener effect reverse current flows in these diodes.
- There is an avalanche and Zener breakdown that exists in this diode at the same time in low volts Zener effect work and for high voltage avalanche work
- it is the among part of all electronic devices circuits.
- Their main work is to maintain the voltage level needed for the circuitry or device where it is used.
- They also offered device protection from over-voltage and ESD
- The working of the diode relies on the level of doping. the deletion region in the Zener is small has a value of less than one micrometer and high field is given then electrons cross the valence band and start conduction
PN Junction Diode vs Zener Diode
PN Junction Diode
- This diode comes with a combination of P semiconductor with N semiconductor materials
- The doping level of P and N materials defines the structure of the PN junction diode.
- Diodes that have low doping levels come with high depletion layers.
- It is affected due to reverse current then zener diode.
- It has high breakdown voltages
- It works only in a forward-biased state and current flows from anode to cathode.
- Its working is based on Ohm’s law. P=VI
- It is made with the use of silicon and germanium
- Forward-biased state act like a closed switch and reverse bias works as an open switch
- Its uses are in rectifiers circuit for ac to dc conversion
Zener Diode
- The zener diode is a special type of diode that has two terminals and operates in a breakdown region.
- It has a low depletion region since has a high doping level
- It is not affected by the reverse current.
- It has a low breakdown voltage
- Its function is to operate in the reverse-biased state
- It does not follow Ohm law and the material used for this diode is based on voltage
- In forward biased state works like a normal diode but for reverse biased state also it works
How many pn junctions are in a Zener diode?
- The Zener diode is like a normal PN junction diode with different that accurately doped with sharp breakdown voltage. There are two pins and a single PN junction it has
Does a Zener diode occur in a pn junction?
- Zener breakdown exists in a heavily doped PN junction diode. High-doped PN junction diodes have narrow depletion regions and narrow depletion layer widths cause high electric field that result in p-n junction breakdown
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That all about the difference between pn junction and Zener diode if you have any query ask in comments. Thanks for reading. Have a good day.
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