Differences Between Avalanche & Zener Breakdown

S.
Avalanche Breakdown
No.
The breakdown which occurs because of
the collision of the electrons inside the
1
PN-junction is called avalanche
breakdown
The avalanche breakdown occurs in the
2
thick region
After the avalanche breakdown, the
3 junction of the diode will not regain its
original position
The avalanche breakdown produces the
4 pairs of electrons and holes because of
the thermal effects
The avalanche breakdown occurs in low
5
doping material
The avalanche breakdown voltage causes
6 because of high reverse potential
because it is lightly doped
The temperature coefficient of the
7
avalanche breakdown is positive
In avalanche breakdown, the mechanism
8 of ionisation occurs because of collision
of electrons
The avalanche breakdown voltage is
9 directly proportional to the temperature
The existence of the electric field is less
10
on the avalanche breakdown
Zener Breakdown
The Zener breakdown occurs when the
heavy electric field is applied across
the PN- junction.
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.