#1726

[@ChrisSmith-tc4df]

Zeners have their unique place in discrete circuits, but with the advent of cheap linear IC regulators such as the AMS1117, it often costs more for a zener plus surrounding passives than for the IC regulator that’s more precise and higher power for the price.

[@ChrisSmith-tc4df]

“I think people underestimate how hot resistors get.” - Truth. I’ve seen so many brown/charred PCB’s due to expected normal use.

[@costa_marco]

10V * 100mA on short. 1W dissipation

[@hbengineer]

I agree ;-)

[@IMSAIGuy]

yes, it doesn't do well short circuit.

[@JackIT123]

Maybe add a little note at the 8:30 minute mark, it might confuse some people otherwise :) Keep up the good work, I really enjoy your content.@@IMSAIGuy

[@davidjones9730]

P=V²/R =10²/101.9 =1W (approx)

[@ebones6957]

Wonderful tutorial on Zener diodes. When the zener itself is limiting the current output of a supply a pass transistor can be added. A tutorial on adding a power transistor bjt or mosfet would be helpful. Particularly on how you select a proper transistor from a data sheet; gain, Vce, etc.

[@fmashockie]

i am really enjoying this series on the zener diode! I've had a few SMPS repairs where the zener part of the feedback circuit was the primary failure. Would love to see a circuit example with the zener used in this application!

[@ChrisSmith-tc4df]

One trick for extending zener power dissipation without jumping up to a higher wattage device is to divide up the voltage between 2 or more zeners in series with each only dissipating their share of the power. This also naturally disperses the heat over more area to hopefully prevent PCB browning/burning.

[@SkyhawkSteve]

Voltage regulators based on a zener can be handy when working with higher voltages too. If you have to deal with input voltages that may range from 10 to 100vdc, then the typical three terminal regulator is probably not going to work. It's not uncommon to need to use a pass transistor to handle the voltage and power, so there are some interesting circuits built around the zener to handle these requirements.

[@ChrisSmith-tc4df]

The regulated current source equivalent is the JFET used as a 2 terminal device. In addition to the limited selection of JFET binned currents, there are purpose built Current Regulator Diodes offered with a much broader choice of currents. Both are comparatively expensive, so in many cases it may be better/cheaper to derive the current source from a circuit composed of a voltage reference which could be a zener diode. But sometimes a simple CRD fits the use case best.

[@Homer19521]

Nicely done. 👍

[@TheAcidicMolotov]

What thermal camera is that? Id like to buy one

[@IMSAIGuy]

camera: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaXJlaSpmL-Hoq8si=iyRt9lwNxzRox84T

[@TheAcidicMolotov]

Thank you sir.@@IMSAIGuy

[@jnc5255]

Thanks sir nice video

[@stamasd8500]

I hope this series will include zener diodes as noise sources.

[@Peter_S_]

I'll 2nd that. I've noticed that multiple synthesizer makers switched to Zeners for noise sources as the supply of choice selected noise transistors dried up and/or couldn't match production volume.

[@IMSAIGuy]

not this series, I've done RF noise source and AF noise source videos using 'zeners' actually you need to use >7V zener diodes as they are actually avalanche and not zener effect. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6etlI2ah69-ipIsi=E5ML8b9Vuy86zma5 kzbin.info/www/bejne/haicq4SOhb6gacksi=xYKlsdgLgBg9KdKH

[@Peter_S_]

Any time I come across a Zener regulator I just swap the source resistor with an LM317/trimpot and lift the Zener. The chances of the LM317 failing open and dumping full V+ into the load is much lower. For backup I'll replace the existing Zener with the next higher voltage one as a soft limiter. The russians were bit fans of Zener regulators and they're often powering chips in synths which are now pure unobtanium, thus the extra protection.

[@fer_fdi]

Nice and useful, thank you! I have a question: it is OK to use the zener as just a voltage limiter? I have a circuit (headphones amp) that will *usually* be powered by 12V or 15V, but it *ocasionally* could be powered from a 18V source. I'm using a 470R and a 15V zener (both 3W just in case) followed by a "reservoir" capacitor, to limit the incoming voltage down to 15V. Is this a correct practice?

[@davidahmad6090]

Very informative video, as usual sir, to reduce ripple, could one place a small cap in between resistor and zener, does this not form some kind of rc filter to mitigate ripple? Thankyou.

[@Edisson.]

Hi, you explain it very well, it makes one feel like an idiot even if they know it 😂 Nice day 🙂 Tom

[@paulstaf]

Who makes your infrared camera attachment?

[@IMSAIGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaXJlaSpmL-Hoq8si=vnBJbjf1ESdOYiZb

[@paulstaf]

@@IMSAIGuy Cool! Thanks! I have a FLIR One, but people are always asking me where to get something cheaper and that one is a little cheaper than the FLIR.

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

Zener Diodes with a 3 leg Regulator?

[@IMSAIGuy]

yes, I showed that on another video. if you put a 5V zener under a 7805, it turns into a 10V regulator.

[@Manigo1743]

Use a normal calculator instead of that garbage.

[@IMSAIGuy]

somebody doesn't like RPN

[@mr1enrollment]

Argh,... pet peeve == power does not go thru a component, a component dissipates power,... Sorry I know it is picky. It is just me - the guy that does not like 'chip-of-the-day'.

[@IMSAIGuy]

ok, and the electrical company does not generate power either. does power go though the power lines?

[@mr1enrollment]

well LOL I suppose.@@IMSAIGuy

[@Peter_S_]

@@IMSAIGuy 😂🏆