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Explain the behaviour of Zener diodes in reverse breakdown and how it differs from ordinary diodes. When would you use each type?.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Zener diodes exhibit reverse breakdown at a specific voltage, allowing them to conduct in reverse without damage, which is useful for voltage regulation.
- Ordinary diodes, however, do not conduct in reverse until a high reverse voltage causes breakdown, which can damage them.
- Zener diodes are used in applications requiring stable reference voltages, while ordinary diodes are used for converting AC to DC.
- The key difference lies in their ability to safely conduct in reverse.
Explanation
Why this works
This response clearly distinguishes the operational characteristics of Zener and ordinary diodes, emphasizing their applications. It demonstrates an understanding of when to use each type based on their unique properties.
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