BZD27B5V1P-E3-08

Diodes - Zener - Single application field and working principle

BZD27B5V1P-E3-08 is a single zener diode with a maximum “reverse voltage” of 5.1V, a “forward current” of 250mA, and a “thermal resistance” of 400K/W. It is generally used for the protection of electronic circuits in electronic equipment subject to short-term voltage transients.

Zener diodes are the most commonly used options for protection from overvoltage. Its name comes from the fact that during zener breakdown, there is a voltage that remains constant, referred to as the zener voltage, made possible by the particular design of the semiconductor inside the diode.

The Operating Principle of a Zener Diode:

When the conventional diode is reverse-biased, a large voltage drop usually occurs. When the reverse bias voltage reaches the breakdown voltage (VBR), the diode turns on and current passes through the diode. This breakdown phenomenon is known as Zener breakdown. Zener diodes are specifically designed to use Zener breakdown for a practical purpose.

Zener diode allows current to flow in the reverse direction when the reverse voltage reaches the breakdown voltage. From the graph, we can see that at breakdown voltage (VBR), the reverse current increases rapidly and the voltage of the diode is maintained at a constant, the Zener voltage (VZ). After the diode has reached the Zener voltage, the current does not increase significantly because the junction has already reached the strong avalanche.

Applications of Zener Diodes

Zener diodes are mainly used to construct Voltage regulators and Reference sources.

The voltage regulator circuits can maintain stable voltage across equipment/circuits/power supplies, protecting them against voltage spikes. In other words, Zener diodes act as a “clamping device” and provide protection against during overvoltage or undervoltage conditions. They are especially useful when a stable voltage over a long duration is required.

Zener diodes are also popular in the construction of high power audio amplifiers and oscillators. In addition, they can also be used in the construction of peak detectors and voltage samplers and in signal clamping applications.

Zener diodes are also used for signal level measurement and conversion, level detection, high powered switching, as well as temperature measurements related to silicon devices and integrated circuits.

Conclusion:

BZD27B5V1P-E3-08 is a single zener diode with a maximum “reverse voltage” of 5.1V, a “forward current” of 250mA, and a “thermal resistance” of 400K/W. It is generally used for the protection of electronic circuits in electronic equipment subject to short-term voltage transients. Zener diodes are mainly used to construct Voltage regulators and Reference sources, as well as for signal level measurement and conversion, level detection, high powered switching, as well as temperature measurements related to silicon devices and integrated circuits.