Practical example of Zener Diode as a Voltage Regulator | Intermediate Electronics

We did a conceptual video on zener diodes but for this video we created a practical demo using a Zener diode as a voltage regulator. Zener diodes can easily and inexpensively act as a voltage regulator, but in this practical overview we see the complications inherent in this seemingly simple setup. If you have any mathematical or conceptual questions, go check out our conceptual video and the accompanying write-ups on circuitbread.com. Check out the transcript of this practical example on the CircuitBread website - www.circuitbre...
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Table of Contents:
0:02 Overview of other zener diode and rectifier diodes we've done and introduce this practical example
0:41 Complications of using a zener diode as a voltage regulator.
2:03 The balance of factors needed in designing the voltage regulator
3:02 Figuring out efficiency versus wide variation in loads.
6:22 How zener diode and voltage regulator design encapsulates what it means to be an engineer
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[@formerastronaut]

Okay I'm still convinced zeners are magic. I'm right there with you on trying to do maths and conversions on the spot in my head.

[@williammabote6312]

I like this guy is explanation.most of all i like his personality 💕

[@erticyusa5928]

I wish you had a camera from above. So I could have a clear look about the circuit or the items you were pointing

[@CircuitBread]

Thanks for the feedback! We only have two cameras for our non-client work so we struggle when we need three angles. The hope is to improve our equipment and processes for this eventually, if it ever makes us money. We're working on it!

[@alfaltamar]

@@CircuitBread Hey, I was just about to give the same feedback!... I will keep my fingers shut then.

[@epicwhaleburger]

quality is awesome I hope to see more

[@CircuitBread]

Thanks! Since most of these videos are done in Josh's basement office (like this one) instead of the studio, we've actually still been able to shoot in lockdown - we're still going.

[@turpialito]

Excellently explained! Your enthusiasm is contagious, too! Cheers!

[@CircuitBread]

Thank you! Have a great one!

[@farhanhusen3003]

This video deserve more views

[@CircuitBread]

I'm not going to disagree 😉 thanks!

[@great__success]

I always put multiple 1/4W resistors when I don't have high power one :D

[@CircuitBread]

Fortunately, they're so cheap, they're basically disposable. "Burned another out!" "Alright, swap it out..." terrible way to design but it's fine when experimenting :-)

[@Blake_Guajardo]

I love your work station if only I was as clean as you lol

[@CircuitBread]

Ha! Thanks! I actually feel like I'm not nearly as well organized and clean as the other engineers here at CircuitBread. If you look at any of the written tutorials that JB has done, he amazes me with his cleanliness, thoroughness, and attention to detail.

[@planker]

Good stuff. Trying to decide on Zener or 7805 for a small audio pre-amp. 2s lipo pwr source, LM358 x2 , some resistors and caps for a load. Now the comparative power loss... This is a bench project exploring op-amps. I'm thinking the Zener with a 10ohm 1w resistor. however, the 2s is 8.4v, could the diode handle a 3s?

[@mike75479]

I have 2007 Camry hybrid it has up top 40 cells, how I can use zener diode to regulate all the cells to have same voltage all the time when car is off and when it’s running… can you make video or sent picture of how is done The hybrid cell is from 6.3v to 8.3v max I would use 5 zener diode and 5 resistors per cell but I have no idea how to setup this

[@vishwarajgatkul9517]

Make video on capacitive dropper circuit:-)

[@squiddymute]

umm i was wondering if i can use one of those zener diodes 3.8v to drop the voltage from a standrad usb power supply (5v) by connecting it to the powerline cable (Red one) without having to use a resistor. My goal is to connect the 3.8v output to an old mobile phone battery pins (the phone has no battery) in order to power it up and use it as a mini monitor next to my desktop pc.

[@CircuitBread]

If you don't have the resistor, you'll almost certainly burn up the zener diode. If you have a stable load that you know exactly what it will be and you never provide power to the circuit without that load, you can dial it in fairly well with an appropriately sized resistor.

[@vishwarajgatkul9517]

I change the voltage of smps by changing the zener diode from 12v to 5v .is proper value wattage of zener diode necessary in smps i used 250 mw value:-)

[@CircuitBread]

I think the wattage rating of the zener diode will depend a lot on how much current you're planning on outputting with your SMPS, just as much as the voltage drop. It's been awhile since I'm looked into an SMPS, though, it seems like a good design would actually make it so the zener diode wattage and the power supply wattage *wouldn't* be related.

[@vishwarajgatkul9517]

Can i use zener diode in capacitive dropper circuit?:-)

[@CircuitBread]

Yeah, it seems like you use the zener diode as the regulator. This does seem like it would be a fun practical project to do a video on. I'll put it in the queue!

[@kukurei]

How do I select a zener diode for Max input voltage of 6.5V, regulated voltage of 3.7V and Load current of 300mA?

[@CircuitBread]

Susie put together a conceptual tutorial covering this: www.circuitbread.com/tutorials/zener-diode-as-voltage-regulator-conceptual-overview but she doesn't go into the details or have any examples (something I'm realizing we should do). But the key portion of your calculations will be the series resistor. Your zener diode will just need to have a breakdown voltage of 3.7V and be capable of 300mA+ of current. Getting a series resistor in there which will protect the zener diode while not burning too much power is the real challenge.

[@khaiyacharadae-agri-news2701]

Only talk not showing multimeter

[@yxpt2227]

Menos cháchara por favor ..

[@CircuitBread]

Lo siento, cuando tengo nervios, hablo demasiado.

[@yxpt2227]

@@CircuitBread jajajajaha...

[@yxpt2227]

Hello, can you help me please?, I need to interpret datasheet from relay, (only two frades), I don't understand the google translation. Thanks.

[@CircuitBread]

Sure, I'm actually going to be unresponsive for the next week, but I hope to check comments tomorrow. Or you can jump on our Discord channel, so others are more likely to help as well.

[@yxpt2227]

@@CircuitBread Is the next: It's a relay Omrom, 6gs-2 model, the datasheet say: Rated voltage = DC 12 (ok). Rated current (mA) = 11,7 (ok). Coil resistance = 1028 Ohms (ok). But here, I is not understand: "Must operate voltage(V)" = 75% max.". "Must release voltage(V)" = 10% min.". "Max. Voltage(V)" = 200% (at 23°C)" Thanks.

[@bhell8461]

#Begie azar👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿