You don't get zener diodes that low. What you have is a normal diode intended to operate in forward direction, sold as a "zener diode".
I'm guessing it's a 1 Watt rated zener diode and 1V is just a typo for 1W
Well this is odd I tested all 5 of the 'zener' diodes I ordered, but one of them actually had a break down voltage of 900mV! This is kinda odd. If there are no zener diodes rated for 1V then conrad is just being naughty because they literally stated it had a 1V breakdown...
I'm assuming you're measuring the reverse (break-down) voltage and not the forward voltage drop? Just checking.
Yes, I'm testing the reverse breakdown voltage. I guess this wasn't the best order I did on conrad. Do you guys know if it's a good idea to get a decent voltage reference by just forward biasing the diode?
Just to clarify, this is literally what you see when you browse the zener diodes on conrad...
Yes, I'm testing the reverse breakdown voltage. I guess this wasn't the best order I did on conrad. Do you guys know if it's a good idea to get a decent voltage reference by just forward biasing the diode?
They are meant to be operated in forward direction, and will typically exebit the behavior as specified in the data sheet. If that specified behavior matches your definition of "decent" the answer is yes.
The "1V" is a silicon diode run in forward conduction. Tip is the voltage drop is the same as a lightly doped diode. The one breaking at a low reverse voltage is probably a faulty one that has contaminants on the die causing this. Not found in test as they are not tested at any reverse voltage at all.
They are meant to be operated in forward direction, and will typically exebit the behavior as specified in the data sheet. If that specified behavior matches your definition of "decent" the answer is yes.
Oh I'm sorry, what I meant to say was... Is it possible to use a regular diode as a voltage reference by just forward-biasing it...
They are meant to be operated in forward direction, and will typically exebit the behavior as specified in the data sheet. If that specified behavior matches your definition of "decent" the answer is yes.
Oh I'm sorry, what I meant to say was... Is it possible to use a regular diode as a voltage reference by just forward-biasing it...
Sure, done all the time and there is no magic behind it. Same thing with LEDs. If the resulting regulator is "decent" depends on the requirements for that regulator.
Too bad my german isn't that great! I guess I'll have to read the datasheet more carefully next time instead of relying on conrad's data.
Many thanks to everyone that responded, my next zener purchase won't be a fail 
It is the same datasheet you linked to in your first post. On the first page there is a footnote (3) behind the ZPY 1. If you look at the footnote it says: "Die ZPY 1 ist eine in Durchlassrichtung betriebene Silizium-Diode". That should not be too difficult to understand for a Dutch speaking person"
("De ZPY 1 is een in doorlaatrichting gebruikte Silicium Diode")
That should not be too difficult to understand for a Dutch speaking person"
You think? I find German quite difficult to understand while both languages probably sound very similar to people not speaking either one of them.
This particular sentence wasn't too difficult though
Unfortunately german isn't really my thing, I only like to learn the naughty words
We probably have left the US and UK, along with the Australian readers wondering what we were discussing........
If you want a 1V reference you can use something like a TL431 this is a 2,5V Vref and you can use a voltage divider to get 1V. They can not deliver power. In that case you need some more electronics behind it ( like an opamp and power transistor)
Also do some reading about the difference between diodes and zeners. It is in every basic electronics book.
The TL431 can't be easily configured for anything below it's internal 2.5 V reference.
Hmm, maybe if you are at one time bored at work you can read the application notes, datasheet and a book bout opamps
( just kidding)
I made several at 1V. But it depends wat you find easy
Yeah, indeed, very complex, two opamps and for a dollar worth of resistors. You are right, very heavy analog voodoo stuff. Is the modern EE afraid of everything more then one part ( most times named atmel or pic) ? They make the most simple things with an overload of digital stuff but two opamps and some resistors is heavy. I'm afraid f the future of anlog design. It takes me more time to type this than to build it.
But i'm just ranting ;-)
All depends on what the topic starter wants to do. If he just wants 1V and not much accuracy he can use two resistors. If he wants to make a moderate accurate Vref he can use one TL and one sinple opamp and less then 10 resistors. If he wants to make 1.000,000V he just has to forget t for now
And there are many more options
Unfortunately I live in the Netherlands and I don't have that many resources when it comes to IC's and stuff. (except ebay and stuff like that)
That is why I usually like to build everything from analog parts because I don't feel like waiting 2 weeks for an IC to arrive.
