What is the difference between rectifier diode and zener diode

I need to caution: I'm absolutely beginner in electronics! When I search for diodes on aliexpress there are always difference in how the parameters of rectifier and zener diodes are specified by provides that sell them. When it comes to zener diodes, they specify only watts and voltage eg 0. As I understand the principle differences are 1 Zener diod can conduct current in opposite dirrection without damaging, when Vz is reached and 2 the maximum reverse voltage of rectifier diod before it will burn out or conduct and burn out anyway is much higher.

I'll try to answer this simply, I'm no expert myself so it's likely some of the comments will correct me little. As mentioned in the comments above, the specification values for rectifier diodes refer to the maximum current they can pass in the forward direction and the maximum voltage that can be applied in reverse before the diode begins to breakdown. Zener diodes prove useful for regulating voltage in different circuits when there's too much or too little.

The simplicity of their design and use makes them ideal candidates for converting voltage. Like Zener diodes, rectifiers use P-N junctions, semiconductor materials that let current flow in only one direction. These are engineered using p-type semiconductors next to n-type semiconductors with a "p" side that has extra holes, places of no electrons, that are positively charged. In contrast, the "n" side has more electrons in its outer shells, making it negatively charged.

These semiconductor materials are made of metals like gallium or metalloids like silicon, the primary material that comprises Zener diodes, mixed with other elements like phosphorous. The placement between these atoms allows current to flow, and you can find bridge rectifiers controlling a wide range of currents through these designs. After studying physics and philosophy as an undergraduate at Indiana University-Bloomington, he worked as a scientist at the National Institutes of Health for two years.

He primarily performs research in and write about neuroscience and philosophy, however, his interests span ethics, policy, and other areas relevant to science. How to Connect Diodes. How to Measure the Ohm Value for an Inductor. How to Read Transistors. How to Design an RC Snubber. How to Calculate the Value for the Vce in a Transistor.

The zener diode can be understood by an equivalent circuit consisting of the voltage source and a resistor. The zener diode performs the same function. The higher the doping the narrow will be depletion width and the lower will be zener voltage. Thus, we can modify the width of the zener diode by appropriate doping and thus, the breakdown voltage can be modified.

Thus, we can prevent the diode from breakdown by controlling the breakdown voltage. At the breakdown voltage, the diode does not burn out suddenly because the external resistance protects the current from flowing through the diode. Diode and Zener diode , both are two terminal semiconductor device, but the crucial point which differentiates both is the ability to operate in reversed biased mode. Zener diodes are designed in a way so that they can operate in a reversed biased mode without getting damaged.

On the contrary, a normal PN junction cannot be used for this purpose. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Key Differences Between Diode and Zener Diode The direction of the current that the device allows creates a major difference between diode and zener diode. The diode conducts uni — directionally while the zener diode conducts bi — directionally in forward biased as well as in reverse biased.

The doping characteristics of diode and zener diode are also different from each other. The zener diode is sharply doped while the conventional diode is moderately doped.

The breakdown voltage in case of zener diode is sharp.