Noun
Zener diode (plural Zener diodes)
(electronics) A semiconductor junction device through which current flows normally in the forward direction, and in the reverse direction if a large voltage is applied.
Although LED forward voltage is far more current-dependent than a Zener diode, Zener diodes with breakdown voltages below 3 V are not widely available. Source: Internet
An exception is when a diode reverse-conducts, either by accident (breakdown of a normal diode) or by design (breakdown of a Zener diode, photo-current of a photodiode). Source: Internet
Diode Light-emitting diode (LED) Photodiode Schottky diode Transient-voltage-suppression diode (TVS) Tunnel diode Varicap Zener diode Typical diode packages in same alignment as diode symbol. Source: Internet
Like a typical diode, there is a fixed anode and cathode in a Zener diode, but it will conduct current in the reverse direction (electrons flow from anode to cathode) if its breakdown voltage or "Zener voltage" is exceeded. Source: Internet
The forward voltage drop (e.g. about 1.7 V for a normal red LED) can be used instead of a Zener diode in low-voltage regulators. Source: Internet
The term Zener diode is colloquially applied to several types of breakdown diodes, but strictly speaking Zener diodes have a breakdown voltage of below 5 volts, whilst avalanche diodes are used for breakdown voltages above that value. Source: Internet