Can a normal diode act like a zener?

Hi - This is probably a dumb question... but can you use a normal silicon diode as an inaccurate zener diode? I mean, if you can, I suspect it won't be nearly as accurate as a zener, but for my application I don't care. Or when a normal silicone diode breaks down is there actual damage occurring to the part? Is it the same effect as is happening on a zener, or something different?

Thanks!

HI,
a reverse biased diode is at the break-down voltage similar as a zener, but not the same...
You can not have it at the specific (from you wished) voltages & these break-down charactaristic is a "lavina effect"_ not equivalent with a Zener stabiilizing, its practically unconrtrollable, and so very dangerous for the semiconductor. :-(
K.

The avalanche voltage would probably be higher than
you want, but yeah.

In lightly doped diodes you may see some charging effects,
walk-in /walk-out / softening of the low current breakdown
knee. Manufacturers are unlikely to rate, guarantee or
control this, and the breakdown voltage is liable to have a
one-sided limit.

Diodes above about 4-5V are really avalanche, not Zener,
mode.

karesz said:

HI,
a reverse biased diode is at the break-down voltage similar as a zener, but not the same...
You can not have it at the specific (from you wished) voltages & these break-down charactaristic is a "lavina effect"_ not equivalent with a Zener stabiilizing, its practically unconrtrollable, and so very dangerous for the semiconductor. :-(
K.

Click to expand...

By dangerous you mean that the diode might get damaged?

Thanks!

Added after 2 minutes:

dick_freebird said:

The avalanche voltage would probably be higher than
you want, but yeah.

In lightly doped diodes you may see some charging effects,
walk-in /walk-out / softening of the low current breakdown
knee. Manufacturers are unlikely to rate, guarantee or
control this, and the breakdown voltage is liable to have a
one-sided limit.

Diodes above about 4-5V are really avalanche, not Zener,
mode.

Click to expand...

I was figuring I'd test a bunch of parts to find the correct voltage. This is a low volume project so if I have to test 100 parts to find one suitable one - that is fine.

I'm not sure what you mean by walk in/walk out/softening of the knee. Do you mean that the IV curve would change if you operated the diode in this mode for an extended period of time? Also, what do you mean a one sided limit? Just that the avalanche voltage would be at the breakdown voltage or higher?

Thanks!