3EZ9.1D10E3/TR12

Diodes - Zener - Single - 3EZ9.1D10E3/TR12 Application Field and Working Principle

A 3EZ9.1D10E3/TR12 is a single Zenner diode with a voltage rating of 1.4V and a power rating of 300mW. It is typically used to control the flow of current between a source of power, typically from a battery, and a load in an electronic circuit. This type of diode can also be used as a voltage reference, supplying a steady, fixed voltage independent of load or line conditions.

A 3EZ9.1D10E3/TR12 is designed such that current flows through the device only if the applied voltage is above the zener voltage (1.4V). When reverse biased, it behaves like a traditional diode, blocking the flow of current. If the voltage is the same or lower than the zener voltage, a very small amount of current, called leakage current, can flow through the diode. This makes it a useful voltage reference and voltage limiter device.

Applications

3EZ9.1D10E3/TR12 diodes are ideal for use in low voltage, low current applications. Common uses for these types of diodes include:

• Controlling current flow in DC power supplies.
• Simple voltage regulation in low voltage circuits.
• Voltage clamping to protect sensitive components from high voltage.
• Isolating power and signal lines in logic circuits.
• Using as a reference number to measure voltage changes.

Working Principle

The basic operating principle of a Zenner diode is that it has a defined breakdown voltage, or zener voltage, at which point the movement of electrons in one direction from the anode to the cathode begins to decrease as the voltage increases. This decrease is due to the fact that the electrons start to move in the reverse direction from the cathode to the anode, thus increasing the impedance of the diode.

Once the voltage reaches the breakdown voltage, or zener voltage, the impedance of the diode suddenly drops, allowing a large amount of current to flow in both directions. This sudden decrease in impedance is called the zener breakdown. This breakdown voltage is set according to design and determined by the zener voltage rating of the diode.

Once the zener breakdown occurs, the diode acts like a voltage reference, regulating the voltage across it to a constant level. If the applied voltage across the diode exceeds the zener voltage, the forward current will increase to the point where the zener breakdown is no longer present, thus limiting the voltage available across the diode.

When the applied voltage drops below the zener breakdown voltage, the diode behaves as a normal diode and will block the current. The 3EZ9.1D10E3/TR12 diode also has a reverse breakdown voltage, however it is significantly higher than the forward breakdown voltage.

Conclusion

3EZ9.1D10E3/TR12 diodes are ideal for use in low voltage, low current applications such as DC power supplies and voltage regulation. They can also be used to protect sensitive components from high voltages and to measure voltage changes. The diode has a fixed breakdown voltage which allows it to act as a voltage reference and to limit the amount of applied voltage.