ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
vOn Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:55:28 +0100, David wrote:
>To add a spanner into the works regarding the direction of current, I don't
>know
>why these things are call zener diodes, since all the high voltage ones work
>on
>avalanche breakdown.
>
>Dave, G8WRB
REPLY:
Zener diodes are different from regular diodes because they are designed to pass
current in the reverse direction and survive. All silicon diodes have a zener
point where they begin reverse conduction, but unless they are specifically
designed for it, most of them will immediately self-destruct.
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode
73, Bill W6WRT
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