Difference between Ordinary Diode and Zener Diode

In electric circuits the diode’s play a very important role. The Diodes are of many types of diodes are divided into parts because of different factors like materials used in making the diode and it also depends on the functionality of the diodes. Different type of diodes has different functionality. Even in the LED bulbs they use the light emitting diode. There are different types of diodes namely PN junction diode, Light emitting diode, Zener diode, Avalanche diode, Laser diode. All the following are the different types of diodes having different functionality. The diodes are represented using symbols in the electric circuits. In this article we will be focusing on what are the factors bringing differences in between an Ordinary diode and a Zener diode.

What is Ordinary Diode?

Ordinary diode is build using the semiconductor materials like silicon. The Ordinary diode is widely used in the electric circuits. The ordinary diode only allows the current to flow in only one direction. The Ordinary diodes are mainly built using the material named silicon. Ordinary diodes are usually forward biased that the current flow can only be possible in single direction. These types of diodes are mainly used in the electrical rectifiers that are used in the electrical circuits. The Ordinary diodes are simply the crystals of silicon material. The Ordinary diodes are represented using a triangle and a line and the direction of the triangle will be pointed towards the flow of the current in the electric circuits. If the current is flown in the opposite direction, it will be short-circuited and the flow of the electric current throughout the circuit will be blocked.

What is Zener Diode?

Zener diode is a different type of diode, and a lot of factors are different from the standard diode or an ordinary diode. The Zener diode works as similar to an ordinary diode, but the Zener diode have the specified reverse voltage, or a reverse breakdown point when the Zener diode is reverse biased. The main functionality of a Zener diode is when the Zener diode is reverse biased. At first it prevents the flow of the current until the breakdown point. When the voltage crosses the breakdown point the electricity will start flowing through the Zener diode. The Zener diode is used in the over voltage protection in the electrical circuit. Using the Zener diode voltage reference of an electric circuit can be created. The Zener diode works like the ordinary diode when it is forward biased. Zener diode posses very high level of power dissipation capability. The Zener diode uses its high-powercapability, and it is easily works under the breakdown condition. Th properties of the Zener diode will not be degraded even when the diode is reversed biased.

Applications of Ordinary Diode

The Ordinary diodes are used in different varieties of electrical circuits. The Ordinary diode is used in Clipper circuits, Clamping circuits. The Ordinary diodes are also used in the electrical rectifiers. The Ordinary diodes are used in logic gates for the computer systems.

Applications of Zener Diode

Zener diodes are mainly used as the voltage regulators. The Zener diode protects the circuit from the over voltage. It stops the flow of current, so they are broadly used in the clipping circuits. The Zener diodes are reusable after the breakdown point also.

Differences between Ordinary Diode and Zener Diode in tabular form

Ordinary Diode	Zener Diode
The Ordinary diode is a semiconductor, and it is only forward biased.	The Zener diode is a special type of diode, and it can be biased in both the directions with some exceptions.
The Ordinary diode allows the current to flow only in one direction in the electrical circuits.	The Zener diode allows the current in both the directions but when it is reversed biased the voltage in the electric circuit should be greater than the breakdown point.
Usually, ordinary diodes get damaged when the diode is used in the reversed bias.	Their will be no effect or damage caused to the Zener diode when it is used in the reversed bias.
The power dissipation capability of an ordinary diode is very less.	The power dissipation capability of the Zener diode is very when compared to ordinary diode.
The property of the diode is degraded when an ordinary diode is reversed biased.	The properties of the diode are not degraded when the Zener diode is reversed biased.