Understanding Zener Diodes & when they are not Zener diodes

[@mikestokes235]

Thank you Ian

[@ElectronicsNotes]

Really glad you liked the video. I am planning a few more like it. I’ve a number of ideas in planning, but if you have any requests for more compost to cover, I would love to hear about them. No promises as I need to be very familiar with them before I attempt a vid.

[@SlyerFox666]

Nice, can you use a resistor to help dissapate the power if the zener is not rated high enough ?

[@ElectronicsNotes]

Typically a resistor is used as a series current limiter / constant current device as shown in the video. The Zener diode has a fixed voltage across it and the current flowing through it is determined by the series resistor and the load. Often an emitter follower circuit is used if a higher current capacity is needed. There was an example of this in the video. Hope this helps.

[@SlyerFox666]

​​@@ElectronicsNotesYes, I think that helps, so you can use the series resistor to limit current flowing to the zener and as it has it's own internal resistance it has it's own volt drop so it must be able to dissipate the power for that but the series resistor will also limit the current to the load so that's when the emitter follower is used. 👍

[@Pilot_engineer_19]

When using these devices care should be taken especially around the "knee" on the curve of the device. It can vary quite a bit.

[@ElectronicsNotes]

I agree, it’s necessary to ensure that sufficient current flows through the device to keep it away from the knee point.

[@PaulJones-td9lm]

1:33: It there any good video about Shunt Regular Circuit(s)?

[@ElectronicsNotes]

I confess I don’t know if any in particular - may be a more in-depth video about shunt regulators would be a good idea for the future for this channel?

[@Meme1man]

❤

[@ElectronicsNotes]

Thanks.

[@Meme1man]

@@ElectronicsNotes ❤️

[@ElectronicsNotes]

@@Meme1man Thanks - glad you liked it.

[@ArlGrmes]

Bill Cipher in the thumbnail.