Zener Diode as a Voltage Regulator

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06:36:57

The 3V lamp represents the load. Its power was calculated to 300mW so that the required current is 100mA.

W = V * I
W = 3 * 0.1
W = 0.3

R1 was calculated to allow the load current, 100mA.

First, we need to find the R1 voltage, in this case, it's the source voltage (5V) - Zener breakdown voltage (3V).

So R1 has a drop voltage of 2V. Knowing that V = I * R:

R = V / I (amperes)
R = 2 / 0.1
R = 20 Ohms

Note that the circuit will consume approximately 100mA even if the load is off. 

Toggle the switch to see the current over the load and the zener diode.

published 5 years ago

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