[SOLVED] Zener diode instead of voltage regulator

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Cecemel

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Hey!
Can someone explain me why people don't use Zener diodes instead of voltage regulators (for ex. With an lm317?)
 

Because zener diode is very bad voltage regulator. The output voltage strongly depends to the load current, temperature and supply changes. Also ripple rejection, PSRR, output resistance, etc are poor.
 

zeners are not efficient nor stable compared to bandgap reference diodes used in all LDO's (LM317 type and many others)

Zeners must draw more than the worst case load to ensure when loaded there is still enough current to get past the knee in the zener. Then when no load, that current * voltage can lead to thermal problems for high power.

So zeners are rarely used these days for new designs with only a few exceptions.

But if you want a simple quick & dirty 3.3V regulator, you can use a white LED diode and accept the 10% tolerance and inefficiency
 

as well, using zener diode is not as practical if there is a wide range in the input voltage
 

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