• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Homemade Circuit Projects

Get free circuit help 24/7

New Projects | Privacy Policy | About us | Contact | Disclaimer | Copyright | Videos 

You are here: Home / Electronic Components / High Current Zener Diode Datasheet, Application Circuit

High Current Zener Diode Datasheet, Application Circuit

Last Updated on January 1, 2020 by Swagatam 4 Comments

Zener diodes that are normally available are mostly 1/4 watt or 1/2 watt types. And it is quite valid since the basic function of zener is to create stabilized reference voltage. Zener diodes are not designed for current regulation directly.

However, for some applications where shunting excess voltage and current is necessary a high current or high watt zener diode becomes useful.

The 1N53 series provides a complete range of high watt zener diodes specially created for high current and voltage regulation.

The maximum power is 5 watt and voltage is upto 200V. Dividing the wattage with the voltage rating of the diode gives its effective current handling capacity.

The pinout and marking diagram are shown below:

caution electricity can be dangerous

Main Features can be studied as given below:

Voltage Range − 3.3 V to 200 V

ESD Rating of Class 3 (>16 kV) per Human Body Model

Surge Handling Capacity of up to 180 W for 8.3 ms

Maximum Steady State Power Dissipation @ TL = 25°C, Lead Length = 3/8 in Derate above 25°C is 5 watts

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The following list gives the various symbols used for indicating the electrical parameters and tolerance levels of the device. (TA = 25°C unless otherwise noted, VF = 1.2 V Max @ IF = 1.0 A for all types).

  • VZ = Reverse Zener Voltage @ IZT
  • IZT = Reverse Current
  • ZZT = Maximum Zener Impedance @ IZT
  • IZK = Reverse Current
  • ZZK = Maximum Zener Impedance @ IZK
  • IR = Reverse Leakage Current @ VR
  • VR = Breakdown Voltage
  • IF = Forward Current
  • VF = Forward Voltage @ IF
  • IR = Maximum Surge Current @ TA = 25°C
  • VZ = Reverse Zener Voltage Change
  • IZM = Maximum DC Zener Current 

By referring to the above symbols we can easily check the voltage and current specifications of the high power zeners diodes from the following table. This table can be used for selecting the preferred zener diode as per our requirements:

TOLERANCE AND TYPE NUMBER DESIGNATION: The JEDEC type numbers shown above symbolize a tolerance of ±5%.

ZENER VOLTAGE (VZ) and IMPEDANCE (IZT and IZK): The zener voltage test condition and its impedance can be learned from this data:

Current IZ is applied 40ms ±10% before the measurements.

Mounting terminals are positioned 3/8″ to 1/2″ above the inner margin of mounting clips to the diode case (TA = 25°C +8°C, −2°C).

SURGE CURRENT (IR): Surge current is defined as the maximum peak, non−recurrent square−wave current having a pulse width, of 8.3 ms that can be tolerated by the device.

The information available in the following image can be referred to identify the maximum surge current for a square wave of any pulse width between 1 ms and 1000 ms.

This may be implemented by plotting the relevant points on logarithmic paper. The above figure shows an example result for a 3.3 V and 200 V zener.

VOLTAGE REGULATION (DVZ): The voltage regulation specifications for this series can be studied as given below:

VZ measurements are established at 10% and subsequently at 50% of the IZ max value as per the info provided in the electrical characteristics table. The time duration for the test current for each VZ reading was recorded as 40 ms ±10%.

How to Identify Maximum Current Handling Capacity

MAXIMUM REGULATOR CURRENT (IZM): This can be calculated by referring to the maximum voltage of a 5% type unit. Meaning this is applicable only to the B−suffix device.

The effective current handling capacity IZM for any of these high current zener diodes cannot be exceeded the over 5 watts divided by the actual VZ of the device. With a condition where TL = 25°C at 3/8″ for the device body.

Meaning, suppose you are using a 3.3V zener, then the maximum tolerable current for this device can be calculated by dividing 5 with 3.3. That's equal to around 1.5 amp.

† The “G’’ suffix tells us about Pb−Free package or Pb−Free packages that are presently available.

High Current Zener Diode Application

As stated earlier a high current diode can be used in applications where power dissipation may be OK and not a factor to be considered.

Solar Panel Output Control

For example it can be used for controlling a solar panel output effectively without involving complex and expensive controllers. The following image shows the bare minimum setup required for implementing a panel output control using a high power zener diode.

High current zener for solar panel control application

Simple LED Driver

A high current diode can be also effectively used for manufacturing cheap yet highly reliable LED drivers, as shown below:

simple led driver using high current zener diode

Over to You

OK so this was a short description regarding the specifications of high watt zener diode IN53. The tutorial explained us regarding the electrical features, tolerance, and how to use this type of zener diodes in practical application designs. I hope you liked. If you have any further doubts or suggestions, you may express them through comments below.

You'll also like:

  • 1.  BJT 2N2222, 2N2222A Datasheet and Application Notes
  • 2.  LM311 Datasheet, Circuit Applications
  • 3.  400V 40A Darlington Power Transistor Datasheet Specifications
  • 4.  IC MP1584 Datasheet and Circuit Diagram
  • 5.  Build Simple Transistor Circuits
  • 6.  40A Diode with Reverse and Overvoltage Protection

About Swagatam

I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials.
If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!

New Posts

  • Sound Activated Remote Control Circuit
  • High Voltage DC Motor Speed Regulator Circuit
  • High Efficiency Solar Charger Circuits using Switching Regulators
  • Mobile Signal Vibrator Circuit
  • AC 220V Over Current Monitor and Cut OFF Circuit

Have Questions? Please Comment below to Solve your Queries! Comments must be Related to the above Topic!!

Subscribe
Notify of
4 Comments
Newest
Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments


Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • 3-Phase Power (15)
  • 324 IC Circuits (19)
  • 4017 IC Circuits (52)
  • 4060 IC Circuits (26)
  • 555 IC Circuits (99)
  • 741 IC Circuits (20)
  • Arduino Engineering Projects (83)
  • Audio and Amplifier Projects (118)
  • Battery Chargers (83)
  • Car and Motorcycle (96)
  • Datasheets (77)
  • Decorative Lighting (Diwali, Christmas) (33)
  • Electronic Components (101)
  • Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory (36)
  • Electronics Tutorial (120)
  • Fish Aquarium (5)
  • Free Energy (34)
  • Fun Projects (14)
  • GSM Projects (9)
  • Health Related (20)
  • Heater Controllers (30)
  • Home Electrical Circuits (106)
  • How to Articles (20)
  • Incubator Related (6)
  • Industrial Electronics (28)
  • Infrared (IR) (40)
  • Inverter Circuits (98)
  • Laser Projects (12)
  • LED and Light Effect (95)
  • LM317/LM338 (21)
  • LM3915 IC (25)
  • Meters and Testers (67)
  • Mini Projects (152)
  • Motor Controller (68)
  • MPPT (7)
  • Oscillator Circuits (25)
  • PIR (Passive Infrared) (8)
  • Power Electronics (35)
  • Power Supply Circuits (81)
  • Radio Circuits (10)
  • Remote Control (49)
  • Security and Alarm (64)
  • Sensors and Detectors (127)
  • SG3525 IC (5)
  • Simple Circuits (75)
  • SMPS (29)
  • Solar Controllers (62)
  • Timer and Delay Relay (54)
  • TL494 IC (5)
  • Transformerless Power Supply (8)
  • Transmitter Circuits (41)
  • Ultrasonic Projects (16)
  • Water Level Controller (45)

Calculators

  • AWG to Millimeter Converter
  • Battery Back up Time Calculator
  • Capacitance Reactance Calculator
  • IC 555 Astable Calculator
  • IC 555 Monostable Calculator
  • Inductance Calculator
  • LC Resonance Calculator
  • LM317, LM338, LM396 Calculator
  • Ohm’s Law Calculator
  • Phase Angle Phase Shift Calculator
  • Power Factor (PF) Calculator
  • Reactance Calculator
  • Small Signal Transistor(BJT) and Diode Quick Datasheet
  • Transistor Astable Calculator
  • Transistor base Resistor Calculator
  • Voltage Divider Calculator
  • Wire Current Calculator
  • Zener Diode Calculator

© 2023 · Swagatam Innovations

wpDiscuz