Zener diodes or “Breakdown Diode”, as they are sometimes referred to, are a special kind of semiconductor diode which permits current to flow in the forward direction. What makes them different from other diodes is that Zener diodes will also permits current to flow in the reverse direction when its "Zener voltage" is reached. The zener diode consists of a special, heavily doped p-n junction.
They also look different than other elements on circuit board and are beautifully laminated. Since they work in break down or avalanche conditions, they are usually placed separately from other passive components. There is a controlled breakdown which does not damage the diode when a reverse current above the Zener voltage passes through a Zener diode. And while that sounds a bit esoteric, they’re widely used in electronic equipment of all kinds and are one of the basic building blocks of electronic circuits.
They are used to generate low power stabilized supply rails from a higher voltage and to provide reference voltages for circuits, especially stabilized power supplies. They are also used to protect circuits from overvoltage, especially electrostatic discharge and providing great solutions to a number of common needs in circuit design. Please refer to below WEET product list of Silicon Planar Zener Diodes.
