250+ TOP MCQs on Zener Diode and Answers

Electronic Devices and Circuits Multiple Choice Questions on “Zener Diode”.

1. Zener diodes are also known as
A. Voltage regulators
B. Forward bias diode
C. Breakdown diode
D. None of the mentioned

Answer: C
Clarification: Zener diodes are used as voltage regulators but they aren’t called voltage regulators. They are called breakdown diodes since they operate in breakdown region.

2. Which of the following is true about the resistance of a Zener diode?
A. It has an incremental resistance
B. It has dynamic resistance
C. The value of the resistance is the inverse of the slope of the i-v characteristics of the Zener diode
D. All of the mentioned

Answer: D
Clarification: All of the statements are true for the resistance of the zener diode.

3. Which of the following is true about the temperature coefficient or TC of the Zener diode?
A. For Zener voltage less than 5V, TC is negative
B. For Zener voltage around 5V, TC can be made zero
C. For higher values of Zener voltage, TC is positive
D. All of the mentioned

Answer: D
Clarification: All of the mentioned are true for the TC of a zener diode.

4. Which of the following can be used in series with a Zener diode so that combination has almost zero temperature coefficient?
A. Diode
B. Resistor
C. Transistor
D. MOSFET

Answer: A
Clarification: If a Zener diode of TC of about -2mV is connected with a forward diode (which has a TC of about +2mV) in series, the combination can be used to obtain a very low (close to zero) TC.

5. In Zener diode, for currents greater than the knee current, the v-i curve is almost
A. Almost a straight line parallel to y-axis
B. Almost a straight line parallel to x-axis
C. Equally inclined to both the axes with a positive slope
D. Equally inclined to both the axes with a negative slope

Answer: B
Clarification: Note that the curve is v-I curve and not an i-v curve.

6. Zener diodes can be effectively used in voltage regulator. However, they are these days being replaced by more efficient
A. Operational Amplifier
B. MOSFET
C. Integrated Circuits
D. None of the mentioned

Answer: C
Clarification: ICs have been widely adapted by the industries over conventional zener diodes as their better replacements for a voltage regulators.

7. A 9.1-V zener diode exhibits its nominal voltage at a test current of 28 mA. At this current the incremental resistance is specified as 5 Ω. Find VZ0 of the Zener model.
A. 8.96V
B. 9.03V
C. 9.17V
D. 9.24V

Answer: B
Clarification: V_Z = V_Zo + M_Z I_ZT
9.1 = V_Zo + 5 * 28 * 10^-3
V_Zo = 8.96v
V_Z = V_Zo + 5I_Z = 8.96 * 5I_Z.

8. A shunt regulator utilizing a zener diode with an incremental resistance of 5 Ω is fed through an 82-Ω resistor. If the raw supply changes by 1.0 V, what is the corresponding change in the regulated output voltage?
A. 72.7 mV
B. 73.7 mV
C. 74.7 mV
D. 75.7 mV

9. A designer requires a shunt regulator of approximately 20 V. Two kinds of Zener diodes are available: 6.8-V devices with r_z of 10 Ω and 5.1-V devices with r_z of 30 Ω. For the two major choices possible, find the load regulation. In this calculation neglect the effect of the regulator resistance R.
A. -30mV/mA and 120mV/mA respectively
B. 30mV/mA and 60mV/mA respectively
C. -60mV/mA and +60mV/mA respectively
D. -30mV/mA and -120mV/mA respectively

Answer: D
Clarification: Three 6.8v zeners provide 3*6.8 = 20.4v with 3 * 10 =30Ω Resistance, neglecting R, we have
load Regulation = -30mV/mA.
For 5.1 Zeners we need 4 diodes to provide 20.4v with 4 * 30 =120Ω Resistance.
load Regulation = -120mV/mA .

10. Partial specifications of a Zener diode is provideC. V_Z = 10.0 V, V_ZK = 9.6 V, and I_ZT = 50 mA. Assuming that the power rating of a breakdown diode is established at about twice the specified Zener current (I_ZT), what is the power rating of each of the diodes described above?
A. 1.04 W
B. 0.104 W
C. 10.4 mW
D. 1.04 mW