Forward Biased Diodes as a Substitute Zener Voltage Regulator

Forward biased rectifier diodes can be used to set a reference voltage instead of a reverse biased zener diode.

Forward biased silicon rectifier diodes used as a reverse biased zener diode voltage regulator substitute schematic diagram by electronzap electronzapdotcom
Forward biased silicon rectifier diodes used as a reverse biased zener diode voltage regulator substitute schematic diagram by electronzap electronzapdotcom
  • It takes approx. 0.6V to get most forward biased rectifier diodes to conduct.
  • That voltage builds up across the diode, and can be output as a signal voltage for other circuitry.
  • Putting diodes in series adds up their forward voltages.
  • Current must be limited enough to prevent damage to the diode(s), and still be able to maintain the voltage across the diode if the circuit fragment output has to provide some current.

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