Which diode is designed to maintain a stable voltage across a load when reverse breakdown occurs?

Which diode is designed to maintain a stable voltage across a load when reverse breakdown occurs?

• A. Schottky Diode
• B. Varactor Diode
• C. Zener Diodes
• D. Signal Diode

Answer: (C)

Voltage regulation with a reverse-biased device relies on a diode that clamps the voltage at a precise, predictable value. Zener diodes are designed to conduct in reverse when the applied voltage reaches their specified Zener voltage. Once that point is reached, the diode conducts enough current to hold the voltage across itself—and thus across the load—nearly constant, even as the input voltage or load current varies (within the device’s rated current range). This stable voltage is achieved because the Zener breakdown provides a defined reference point, and the diode’s impedance in that breakdown region is low enough to limit voltage changes. Other diodes aren’t built to provide that steady reverse-regulated voltage. A regular rectifier diode doesn’t have a well-controlled breakdown voltage for regulation, varactor diodes are used for changing capacitance with voltage, not to stabilize voltage, and Schottky or signal diodes are geared toward switching, fast recovery, or low forward drop, not reverse-voltage regulation.

Voltage regulation with a reverse-biased device relies on a diode that clamps the voltage at a precise, predictable value. Zener diodes are designed to conduct in reverse when the applied voltage reaches their specified Zener voltage. Once that point is reached, the diode conducts enough current to hold the voltage across itself—and thus across the load—nearly constant, even as the input voltage or load current varies (within the device’s rated current range). This stable voltage is achieved because the Zener breakdown provides a defined reference point, and the diode’s impedance in that breakdown region is low enough to limit voltage changes.

Other diodes aren’t built to provide that steady reverse-regulated voltage. A regular rectifier diode doesn’t have a well-controlled breakdown voltage for regulation, varactor diodes are used for changing capacitance with voltage, not to stabilize voltage, and Schottky or signal diodes are geared toward switching, fast recovery, or low forward drop, not reverse-voltage regulation.