How Do You Identify A Zener Diode?
Zener diodes are silicon diodes that are specifically constructed to operate in what is known as the breakdown region. Normally, diodes self-destruct if the current is too high when they are reverse-biased. Zener diodes are optimized to conduct when they are in this region, and their breakdown voltages can range from 2 to 200 V. They are able to maintain constant output voltages throughout current changes in the circuit, and so are also referred to as voltage-regulator diodes. Examine the casing on the diode. Some zener diodes have a copper colored coating with a white or black or blue stripe. Some, however, have the same coloring as that of other diodes, and so they cannot be distinguished by appearance alone. Record the number that is on the casing. For example, it may be 1N5231 or 1N751. Go to a manufacturer’s website such as Fairchild Semiconductor or National Instruments, and do a component search. If the diode is soldered to a circuit board so that you are unable to see the numbe
