[Amps] Large Zeners Follow-up.
peter.chadwick at Zarlink.Com
peter.chadwick at Zarlink.Com
Thu Aug 12 03:10:35 EDT 2004
Worth remembering that the forward drop of a silicon diode decreases by
2mV/degree C. Zeners go one way below about 5.6 volts, and the other way
above 6, and I can never remember which it is - I think the volts go up
below 5 , but it could be the other way round. Around 5.6 to 6 volts, they
have a very low temp co - this is because the mechanism changes from
Zener breakdown below 5.6 to avalanche breakdown above. Since the two
mechanisms have opposite temperature coefficients, about 6 volts or just
below is where they cancel.
Depending on the operating temperature of the equipment and the cricuit,
this voltage drift may or may not be a problem.
73
Peter SM/G3RZP
More information about the Amps
mailing list