A Zener diode is a special type of semiconductor device that allows current to flow in the reverse direction when a specific voltage, known as the Zener voltage, is reached. This property makes it useful for voltage regulation in electronic circuits, helping to maintain a stable output voltage despite variations in input voltage or load conditions.
Zener diodes are commonly used in power supplies and reference voltage applications. They are designed to operate in the breakdown region, where they can safely dissipate excess voltage. This makes them essential components in protecting sensitive electronic devices from voltage spikes.
