GDZ12B-G3-08

GDZ12B-G3-08 Application Field and Working Principle of Single Zener Diode

The GDZ12B-G3-08 is a single Zener diode manufactured by ON Semiconductor. It was developed to regulate and control the current in power supplies and other electric circuits. It is also used as a voltage-clamping device, primarily in electric devices.

Unlike standard diodes, which provide current in only one direction, a Zener diode doesn’t just provide current in one direction, but also in the reverse direction, when the voltage is greater than its threshold. So, it makes the current across the diode remain constant, hence providing a regulation of the current.

The GDZ12B-G3-08 single Zener diode has a maximum current capacity of 200 mA, a maximum power dissipation of 500 mW, and a peak inverse voltage of 12V. The device comes in a DO-213AC package.

How Does the Single Zener Diode Work?

A Zener diode is a semiconductor device that uses reverse breakdown voltage to regulate currents in electronic circuits. When you apply a voltage in the reverse direction of the current, the diode will start conducting and the voltage will remain constant. This process is called Zener breakdown.

A single Zener diode works by having a p-n or n-p structure, this means the device contains an anode and a cathode. When a negative voltage is applied to the anode, the electric field intensity increases while the width of the depletion region decreases. This results in current flow due to Zener breakdown. In reverse bias, the voltage on the diode’s anode becomes negative with respect to its cathode, meaning no current should flow.

However, if high enough voltage is applied, electrons at the anode become excited and leave the p-n structure, which then causes the p-n structure to break down and become a conductor across the entire diode, thus allowing current to flow. This process is called Zener breakdown, and it results in maintaining the voltage on the anode at a constant, known as the reverse breakdown voltage.

Applications of the Single Zener Diode

The single Zener diode has a wide variety of applications due to its ability to maintain the voltage on the anode at a constant. It is used to regulate or stabilize voltage in electric power supplies, voltage clamps, radio frequency level detection, voltage switching, voltage multiplier circuits and voltage regulation.

The GDZ12B-G3-08 Zener diode can be found in various electronic devices such as laptop charger, camera chargers, and battery chargers, as well as circuit protection devices. It is also used in high accuracy analogue and digital circuits, power supply circuits, switching circuits, and current limiting circuits, which require stabilization and voltage control.

Conclusion

The GDZ12B-G3-08 single Zener diode is a useful device due to its ability to regulate current, maintain voltage and provide circuit protection. It is an essential part of electronic devices such as laptop chargers, camera chargers, and battery chargers. The device can also be found in a variety of circuits, from voltage regulation and stabilization to current limiting and switching circuits.