3EZ17D5/TR8

Diodes - Zener - Single

The 3EZ17D5/TR8 diode is a Zener diode, which is a type of rectifier that provides a low-voltage breakdown of an applied alternating or direct current. It is designed to handle energy between 5 and 187 volts and can be used in varying applications due to its uniqueness.

Application Fields

• Galvanic Isolation – Used to provide electrical insulation between two points and prevent the signal from any one point affecting the other.
• Constant Current Sources – Used to reduce the fluctuation of the current in DC circuits.
• Overvoltage Protection – Used to protect electrical circuits from high voltage spikes.
• Voltage Regulation – Used to keep the voltage of an electrical system at a required value.
• Signal Shaping – Used to adjust the waveform of a signal so that it can be accurately measured.
• Clipping – Used to limit the range of alternating or direct current.
• Waveform Generation – Used to generate a waveform of a given frequency and amplitude.

Working Principle

As a Zener diode, the 3EZ17D5/TR8 functions via avalanche breakdown. When a Zener diode is forward biased, the electrons and holes that make up the current flow through the diode separately. If a sufficiently large reverse bias is applied to the diode, the electric field will become large enough, to weaken the covalent bond of the semiconductor’s atoms within the junction. When this happens, the positive charge carriers (holes) and electrons become so energized that they “break down” the reverse-biased junction and recombine. This results in the generation of electrical current, which is why the diode is referred to as “avalanche-mode”. The Zener diode will then begin to function as a voltage regulator, allowing only a small amount of current to flow through the diode while still controlling the voltage. Since the Zener diode is reverse biased, it is capable of conducting large currents as well as voltages without any damage to the device.

Conclusion

The 3EZ17D5/TR8 diode is an incredibly versatile device that can be used for many different applications. It functions by utilizing the avalanche breakdown principle, which enables the diode to function as a voltage regulator and a current source. This makes it an ideal device for applications such as galvanic isolation, overvoltage protection, constant current sources, voltage regulation, signal shaping, clipping, and waveform generation.