Advantages and disadvantages of Zener diode shunt voltage regulator

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Zener Diode and Its working, Characteristics and Applications.

How Zener diode work as a voltage regulator.

Advantages of Zener diode shunt regulator are given below:

• For wider range of load currents and input voltages the Zener diode shunt regulator provide a better regulation.
• It gives higher current capability.
• The Zener voltage regulator is very economic.
• It requires only two or three components.
• It has a very simple circuit.

Disadvantages of Zener diode shunt regulator are given below:

• Internal impedance of the Zener shunt voltage regulator circuit is high.
• The voltage regulation is poor.
• The output voltage in Zener shunt voltage regulator is not adjustable because the output power of Zener shunt regulator is depending on Zener voltage. It means V_{O ­}= V_Z.
• The Zener shunt voltage regulator cannot be used for large load current.
• Zener shunt voltage regulator has poor efficiency for heavy loads because a large amount of power is wasted in Zener diode resistance (R₂) and series resistor (R_S) in comparison with load power.
• The output voltage of Zener regulator slightly changes due to Zener resistance
• In Zener shut regulator changes in load current produce changes in Zener current. As a result, the output voltage also changes.