Differences Between Avalanche.docx 4m4o63

Differences Between Avalanche & Zener Breakdown S. No. 1

2 3

4 5 6 7 8

9 10

Avalanche Breakdown

Zener Breakdown

The breakdown which occurs because of the collision of the electrons inside the PN-junction is called avalanche breakdown The avalanche breakdown occurs in the thick region After the avalanche breakdown, the junction of the diode will not regain its original position The avalanche breakdown produces the pairs of electrons and holes because of the thermal effects The avalanche breakdown occurs in low doping material The avalanche breakdown voltage causes because of high reverse potential because it is lightly doped The temperature coefficient of the avalanche breakdown is positive In avalanche breakdown, the mechanism of ionisation occurs because of collision of electrons The avalanche breakdown voltage is directly proportional to the temperature

The Zener breakdown occurs when the heavy electric field is applied across the PN- junction.

The existence of the electric field is less on the avalanche breakdown

The Zener breakdown occurs in the thin region. After the Zener breakdown the junction regains its original position. The Zener diode produces the electrons The Zener breakdown occurs in high doping material. The Zener breakdown is because of low reverse potential. The temperature coefficient of Zener breakdown is negative. In the Zener breakdown ionisation occurs because of the electric field. The Zener breakdown voltage is inversely proportional to the temperature. The existence of the electric field is more on the Zener breakdown

Full Wave Bridge Rectifier In Full Wave Bridge Rectifier, an ordinary transformer is used in place of a center tapped transformer. The circuit forms a bridge connecting the four diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4. The circuit diagram of Full Wave Bridge Rectifier is shown below.

Operation of Full Wave Bridge Rectifier When an AC supply is switched ON, the alternating voltage Vin appears across the terminals AB of the secondary winding of the transformer which needs rectification. During the positive half cycle of the secondary voltage, the end A becomes positive, and end B becomes negative as shown in the figure below.

The diodes D1 and D3 are forward biased and the diodes D2 and D4 is reversed biased. Therefore, diode D1 and D3 conduct and diode D2 and D4 does not conduct. The current (i) flows through diode D1, load resistor RL (from M to L), diode D3 and the transformer secondary. The waveform of the full wave bridge rectifier is shown below.

During the negative half cycle, the end A becomes negative and end B positive as shown in the figure below.

From the above diagram, it is seen that the diode D2 and D4 are under forward bias and the diodes D1 and D3 are reverse bias. Therefore, diode D2 and D4 conduct while diodes D1 and D3 does not conduct. Thus, current (i) flows through the diode D2, load resistor RL (from M to L), diode D4 and the transformer secondary.

The current flows through the load resistor RL in the same direction (M to L) during both the half cycles. Hence, a DC output voltage Vout is obtained across the load resistor.

Peak Inverse Voltage of Full Wave Bridge Rectifier When the secondary voltage attains its maximum positive value and the terminal A is positive, and B is negative as shown in the circuit diagram below.

At this instant diode, D1 and D3 are forward biased and conducts current. Therefore, terminal M attains the same voltage as that A’ or A, whereas the terminal L attains the same voltage as that of B’ or B. Hence the diode D2 and D4 are reversed biased and the peak inverse voltage across both of them is Vm. Therefore,

Advantages of Full Wave Bridge Rectifier   

The center tap transformer is eliminated. The output is double to that of the center tapped full wave rectifier for the same secondary voltage. The peak inverse voltage across each diode is one-half of the center tap circuit of the diode.

Disadvantages of Full Wave Bridge Rectifier  

It needs four diodes. The circuit is not suitable when a small voltage is required to be rectified. It is because, in this case, the two diodes are connected in series and offer double voltage drop due to their internal resistance.