A Zener diode, having breakdown voltage equal to 15 V, is used in a voltage regulator circuit shown in figure. The current through the diode is [figure]
- 5 mA
- 10 mA
- 15 mA
- 20 mA
Answer
(1) 5 mA
Solution
The Zener diode is in breakdown, so the voltage across it and across the 1 kΩ load is 15 V.
Current through the load: IL = 151000 = 15 mA
Voltage across the 250 Ω resistor = 20 - 15 = 5 V
I = 5250 = 0.02 A = 20 mA
IZ = I - IL = 20 - 15 = 5 mA
Answer: (1)