PLZ15A-G3/H

The PLZ15A-G3/H is a single Zener diode that belongs to a class of semiconductor devices that allow current to flow in only one direction and regulate the voltage across them. As such, it is widely used in a variety of applications, such as protecting circuits from voltage spikes, voltage regulation in power supplies, and controlling static currents.

A Zener diode is a PN-junction diode that operates in the breakdown region, where negative current is allowed to flow from the anode (the positive terminal) to the cathode (the negative terminal). The maximum allowed reverse current for the PLZ15A-G3/H is 400mA, and the maximum allowed forward current is 1.3A. The diode has a breakdown voltage of 15V, and its peak power dissipation is 1 watt.

In normal operation, the Zener diode is a non-conductive device, meaning that no current can flow through it. When the reverse-biased voltage across the PN-junction reaches a certain value known as the Zener voltage or breakdown voltage, the Zener diode enters into the breakdown region and a small current flows. This current is used to regulate the voltage across the diode, maintaining it at or near the Zener voltage.

The primary benefit of using a Zener diode for voltage regulation is that it has low noise and is relatively immune to thermal drift. This makes the PLZ15A-G3/H an ideal choice for sensitive electrical equipment, such as PCs, where low noise levels are desirable. In addition, due to its low maximum power dissipation, the diode is suitable for use in power-sensitive applications, such as controlling static currents in power supplies.

The PLZ15A-G3/H is also often used as a protection device against voltage spikes. In this application, the Zener diode is connected across a voltage line and is reverse-biased, which means that no current flows through it until the voltage spike exceeds the diode’s breakdown voltage. When this happens, current will flow through the diode to prevent the voltage spike from having a damaging effect on the circuit components.

Overall, the versatility, low noise operation and immunity to thermal drift make the PLZ15A-G3/H a viable choice for a wide range of voltage regulation, static current control and voltage spike protection applications. This single Zener diode is a great option for any electronic system that requires precision voltage regulation or protection from voltage spikes.