1N53 Series

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6

100

10

1

0.1

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

Figure 9. Zener Voltage versus Zener Current

APPLICATION NOTE

Since the actual voltage available from a given Zener

diode is temperature dependent, it is necessary to determine

junction temperature under any set of operating conditions

in order to calculate its value. The following procedure is

recommended:

power dissipation.

temperature and may be found from Figure 4 for a train of

power pulses or from Figure 1 for dc power.

from Figures 2 and 3.

Under high power-pulse operation, the Zener voltage will

vary with time and may also be affected significantly by the

zener resistance. For best regulation, keep current

excursions as low as possible.

Data of Figure 4 should not be used to compute surge

capability. Surge limitations are given in Figure 5. They are

lower than would be expected by considering only junction

temperature, as current crowding effects cause temperatures

to be extremely high in small spots resulting in device

degradation should the limits of Figure 5 be exceeded.