|
||
|
American Microsemiconductor, Inc. - TEMPERATURE COMPENSATED ZENER DIODES BY AMS
Print
|
|
The zener diode temperature coefficient is a most important zener diode consideration.
Usually specified in parts per 10,000 per degree C, it can be more important than a initial zener diode tolerance.
To begin with the true zener breakdown ends at about 5.6 Volts. "So called" higher voltage zeners depend upon the intrinsic avalanche breakdown characteristics of a diode rather than true zener breakdown. So a 10V zener diode or a 50 zener diode depend upon an avalanche breakdown , nonetheless they are still referred as zener diodes.
Quick Links:
Now to continue with temperature coefficients : zener voltages below 5.6 volt have a negative coefficient and voltages above 5.6 volts have a positive TC. The exact TC depends upon the doping level of the diode which also determines,the breakdown (zener) voltage.
To obtain a lower TC, a composite of two or more zener diodes may be used in series to reduce the overall TC effect. One having a positive TC and the other a negative. Also since the Vf of a standard diode has negative temperature, it is frequently used in series with a positive TC zener in order to reduce the resultant TC.
Finally to show the effect of say a 100 degree rise of a zener diode that has a TC of .08%/degreec C: the breakdown voltage will increase by 8%, far outweighing an 5 % initial tolerance.
Did you Know...
AMS has been servicing the semiconductor industry for more than 40 years as an leader in component manufacturing and distribution. We now can custom test and manufacture parts to your specifications. Give us a call today at (973) 377-9566 to find out how we can help your business!
To access our online store for the following products, click on the products:
Our Inventory Database which contains various components ranging from the early 1950's transistor technology up to the present state-of-the-art chips is made searchable via this website for your convenience. Our Spec Sheet Databases are made available for online searching completely free of charge.
Part Saved
Save part
