Zener barriers are passive devices that contain Zener diodes, resistors, and fuses to limit excess voltage and current. These are the basic building blocks which are contained in all other intrinsically safe barriers There is always a voltage drop across Zener barriers because of resistance. Proper selection of the Zener barriers is required as well as a ground connection. The Zener diode barrier works by diverting potentially dangerous energy to ground before it can reach the hazardous area. They limit the fault voltage to the hazardous area. The barrier must protect against dangerous energy and allow the loop to function normally.


Products & Services
Intrinsic Safety Barriers
Intrinsic safety (IS) barriers are devices that limit the current, voltage, and total energy delivered to a sensor in a hazardous area or flammable environment in order to prevent an explosion.
Zener Diodes
Zener diodes are PN junction devices that are designed to operate in the reverse-breakdown region.  
High Voltage Diodes
High voltage diodes are designed for use in high-voltage applications.
Voltage Reference Chips
Voltage references are electronic circuits that produce a constant output voltage (reference) that is used to compare other voltages in a system.
Diodes
Diodes are electronic components that conduct electric current in only one direction, functioning as a one-way valve. Diodes are manufactured using semiconductor materials such as silicon, germanium or selenium and are used as voltage regulators, signal rectifiers, oscillators and signal modulators / demodulators.

Product Announcements
American Microsemiconductor, Inc. - ZENER DIODE 1N5221B - 1N5267B 500mW EPITAXIAL
ZENER DIODE 1N5221B: 500 milliwatts, glass package, DO-35, silicon zener diode, voltage 2.4V. Features: 500mW Power Dissipation, High Stability, Surface Mount Equivalents Available, Hermetic... (read more)
American Microsemiconductor, Inc. - TEMPERATURE COMPENSATED ZENER DIODES
Is Zener tolerance enough? THE TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION IS A VERY IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IN ZENER DIODE SELECTION The zener diode temperature coefficient is a most important zener diode... (read more)
RDP Electrosense - Compact LVDT
Compact LVDT from RDP Group RDP's DCTH series of DC-DC LVDTs offers ranges up to 0.8 inches (20mm) in a short body length with outputs of 0-10 and +/- 5 volts. Improved linearity and other standard... (read more)
Kingbright Corporation - Enhanced Mid-Power 0.5W SMD LEDs (AA3535 package)
Kingbright Corporation presents our enhanced 0.5W SMD LED package. Kingbright AA3535 package can be driven up to 150mA and embedded with zener diode to enhance ESD protection. This package is... (read more)
Rotronic Instrument Corp. - ROTRONIC HYGROCLIP-EX Intrinsically Safe
The ROTRONIC HygroClip Ex probes provides combined measurement of humidity and temperature when used together with any HygroFlex transmitter it is designed for hazardous applications. The probes can... (read more)
 

Topics of Interest

Although Zener diodes may sound different then silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs), they are both found where voltages must be controlled or regulated. This chapter describes how Zener diodes operate...

The basic parameters of a zener diode are:...

13.1 Introduction The zener diode was the first discrete semiconductor device to be used as a basic voltage reference. It was created in the late 1950s by its inventor Clarence Zener, a Westinghouse...

Z The symbol for impedance, measured in ohms. ZAK Zero Administration Kit ZAWS Zero Administration For Windows ZBTSI See: Zero Byte Time Slot Interchange Zener Breakdown...

In electronics, a diode is a component that restricts the direction of movement of charge carriers. Essentially, it allows an electric current to flow in one direction, but blocks it in the opposite...