Zener diode
Zener diodes are a special kind of diode which
permits current to flow in the forward direction. What makes them different
from other diodes is that Zener diodes will also allow current to flow in the
reverse direction when the voltage is above a certain value. This breakdown
voltage is known as the Zener voltage. In a standard diode, the Zener voltage
is high, and the diode is permanently damaged if a reverse current above that
value is allowed to pass through it. Zener diodes are designed in a way where
the Zener voltage is a much lower value. There is a controlled breakdown which
does not damage the diode when a reverse current above the Zener voltage passes
through a Zener diode.
Types
of Zener Diodes
There are many different kinds of Zener
diodes. At Future Electronics we stock many of the most common types
categorized by power dissipation, nominal working voltage, forward (drive)
current, forward voltage, packaging type and maximum reverse current. The
parametric filters on our website can help refine your search results depending
on the required specifications.
The most common values for nominal working
voltage are 5.1 V, 5.6 V, 6.2 V, 12 V and 15 V. We also carry Zener diodes with
nominal working voltage up to 1 kV. Forward (drive) current can have a range
from 200 uA to 200 A, with the most common forward (drive) current being 10 mA
or 200 mA.
Zener
Diodes from Future Electronics
Future Electronics has a full Zener diode chip
selection from several manufacturers when designing a circuit and looking for a
Zener diode regulator, low voltage Zener diode, high voltage Zener diode, power
Zener diode, Zener diode rectifier, 3v Zener diode, 5v Zener diode, 12v Zener
diode, 18v Zener diode, 24v Zener diode or for any Zener diode circuits. Simply
choose from the Zener diode technical attributes below and your search results
will quickly be narrowed in order to match your specific Zener diode
application needs.
If you have a preferred brand, we deal with
several semiconductor manufacturers such as Fairchild, NXP, Diodes Inc., ON
Semiconductor or Vishay, among other chip manufacturers. You can easily refine
your Zener diode product search results by clicking your preferred Zener diode
brand below from our list of manufacturers.
Applications
for Zener Diodes:
Zener diodes can be found in several
applications. Some of these are: voltage stabilizers or regulators (in shunt
mode), surge suppressors for device protection, peak clippers, switching
operations, reference elements and in meter protection applications. The
constant reverse voltage of a Zener diode renders it a very useful component in
regulating the output voltage against variations in the load resistance or variations
in the input voltage from an unregulated power supply. The current through the
Zener diode will change in order to keep the voltage within the threshold
limits of Zener action and the maximum power that it can dissipate.
Choosing
the Right Zener Diode:
When you are looking for the right Zener
diodes, with the FutureElectronics.com parametric search, you can filter the
results by various attributes: by Forward (Drive) Current (200 uA, 10 mA, 200
mA, 250 mA, 1A,…), Forward Voltage (700 mV, 900 mV, 1.1 V, 1.2 V, 1.5V,…) and
Power Dissipation (from 100 mW to 1.5 kW) to name a few. You will be able to
find the right semiconductor chip when designing a circuit that requires a
Zener diode regulator, power Zener diode, 5v Zener diode, 12v Zener diode, 18v
Zener diode, 24v Zener diode, high voltage Zener diode, low voltage Zener
diode, Zener diode rectifier, 3v Zener diode or for designing any Zener diode
circuits.
Zener
Diodes in Production Ready Packaging or R&D Quantities
If the quantity of Zener diodes that you
require is less than a full reel, we offer customers many of our Zener diode
products in tube, tray or individual quantities that will help you avoid
unneeded surplus.
In addition, Future Electronics offers clients
a unique bonded inventory program that is designed to eliminate potential
problems that could arise from an unpredictable supply of products containing
raw metals and products with long or erratic lead times. Talk with your
nearest Future Electronics branch and find out more on how
you and your company can avoid possible shortages.
