BZX384-B20,115

Diodes - Zener - Single

Application Field

The BZX384-B20,115 Zener diode is useful in a range of applications, including noise dampers, voltage stabilisers, over–voltage protection and digital to analog converters. Its wide range of electrical and physical characteristics makes it a feasible and cost–effective alternative to other diodes, and makes it suitable for a range of applications.

Working Principle

A Zener diode operates like a traditional rectifier diode, in that it passes current in one direction when forward biased and blocks current in the opposite direction when reverse biased. But when the Zener diode is forward biased to a certain voltage, the junction breaks down and allows current to flow in both directions, limited to the reverse leakage current rating. The junction breakdown voltage is specific and set to the “Zener voltage”, usually marked on the diode.

The Zener diode also functions as a voltage regulator when connected in reverse bias to a limiting resistor and a voltage supply with a voltage greater than the “knee” of the diode. This allows the diode to maintain a constant voltage across a load, independent of load resistance or input voltage. This allows the device to protect connected devices from over-voltage situations and to provide a stable output voltage.