Tagged Questions

1
vote
1answer
90 views

Zener doesn't seem to be working

So I'm trying to use a zener diode to limit the voltage across a capacitor - specifically, to 2.2V. As you can see, I'm using a 9v supply. The zener is in series with a resistor - either 100 or ...
1
vote
3answers
113 views

Charging a low-voltage high-C capacitor. Efficiently

I'm currently upgrading my wind-up torch - upon opening it, I found the manufacturers had been quite sneaky in that the circuit is EITHER windup OR battery powered - worse, the batteries are ...
4
votes
1answer
79 views

Does the line on a zener diode correspond with the line in the symbol?

For a normal diode, the thin line on the component corresponds with the line of the symbol. Is this the same for a zener diode?
5
votes
1answer
222 views

Using a Zener diode as voltage reference

I want to use a zener diode as a voltage reference to the the PIC18F2550, as the analog V+ reference. I am planning to use this zener diode, but I am not sure how to calculate its values. I am ...
1
vote
2answers
219 views

v-usb, zener diodes and circuit

I've toying with V-USB for a few days and got a circuit working in a breadboard with a Attiny85 and 3.6 Zener diodes. However, when I tried to get it done in a stripboard, it doesn't work. Assuming ...
7
votes
1answer
378 views

How to decide between a TVS or Zener diode for overvoltage protection?

I'll leave my specific circuit out of this for a more broad question: What criteria does one use when deciding whether to use a Zener diode or a transient voltage suppressor, for overvoltage ...
0
votes
3answers
331 views

Zener diode forward voltage

I'm trying to learn how Zener diodes work and I think I get the overall concept (regulating voltage to the zener voltage level), but there's one thing I don't understand. I'm looking at this diode ...
-4
votes
1answer
155 views

Zener Diode three terminal application

I am looking for a three terminal zener diode that can handle at least 125V (DC). Please post links to where I can check out a spec sheet of this component, if it exists.
3
votes
3answers
2k views

What happens after a zener diode breaks down?

I've strapped a 6V zener diode across the 5V/GND rails of my circuit, and I want to know what will happen if my supply were to somehow fail pass 12V straight to the rest of my board. The zener will ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views

When/why would you use a Zener diode as a flywheel diode (on the coil of a relay)?

I have just been cogitating on the tutorial at http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/io/io_5.html, and in the discussion of flywheel diodes it includes this sentence without further elaboration: As ...
-1
votes
3answers
1k views

Zener Diode for Minimum Voltage Regulator

I forgot the name of it, but I remember one post where it said that you can use a zener diode as a "minimum voltage regulator". I don't think I used the right term for it, but here's what I'm doing. ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views

What happens after a diode is used in breakdown region?

If a diode is operated in breakdown region and if it is used again will it lose its characteristics or work normally?
2
votes
2answers
727 views

Is there such a thing as a Schottky zener?

I was thinking about this when I was looking for over- and undershoot protection. If you use a zener you can clip the overshoot at a defined level (ignoring the slowness of the zener), but the ...
7
votes
2answers
950 views

zener diode voltage regulator

(Sorry, my workplace blocks access to the website for the Java based circuit simulator that everyone uses to put helpful schematics in their posts.) I'm having trouble understanding the simple ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views

Electronic circuit switch for arduino

Is there anything I can use to replace this circuit? Its a very simple electronic switch circuit, (transistor+zener diode+resistor) The circuit is connect to a remote control, the remote control is ...
5
votes
2answers
620 views

LM335 doesn't seem to work

I'm relatively new to electronics, and I'm trying to make a thermometer using a LM335 temperature sensor. By reading the datasheet I thought it was simple, connect up 5V to a resister, then to the V+, ...