A Zener diode circuit is a special type of diode that is designed to have a greatly reduced breakdown voltage compared to conventional diodes. The breakdown voltage is the minimum reverse voltage that will make a diode conduct electricity in reverse. Zener diode protection is used to regulate the voltage across a circuit, conducting electricity when the voltage reaches the Zener diode reverse breakdown voltage and keeping the voltage at that level.

Use Zener diodes to generate reference voltages for amplifier stages or as voltage stabilizers for low-current processes. The application of Zener diodes is varied, but you can find a number of options from online suppliers, including:

1. Compare Zener diode info in online catalogs.
2. Request online quotes for Zener voltage diode products.
3. Save money on wholesale Zener diodes.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the right Zener diode regulator in an online catalog

Comparison shopping is a great way to find what you're looking for by seeing the attributes and prices of a variety of different products. The simplest way to do this is by looking through online catalogs where you can narrow down a list of Zener diode circuits with the properties your business requires.

I recommend: Jameco is an electronics supplier with thousands of Zener diodes for sale from multiple manufacturers. Browse their full listing of Zener diode circuits or narrow down the list by specifying search parameters based on price, configuration, number of terminals and more. Littelfuse has an online catalog of Zener diodes with readily available technical information so you can find the product with the specs you need.

Request a free quote on Zener diodes

Another great way to shop around for Zener diodes is to request quotes from multiple manufacturers. If you know the technical specifications for a Zener diode you need or you find a standard product online that meets your requirements, ask multiple electronics manufacturers for price quotes to find the best deal.

I recommend: Amps Abundant offers a variety of standard Zener diode models. Request a quote on each product directly from their website, or if you don't see the model you need, contact their team of engineers about finding the right diode for your application. 1-Source Electronic Components has a huge inventory of all kinds of electronic components. Search for Zener diodes by product number or use their quote request form to find information on any electronic component you need.

Save when you buy in bulk or from wholesale Zener diode suppliers

If you're looking to save money on Zener diodes, turn to a distributor offering wholesale prices or deals on bulk orders.

I recommend: Q Components is a wholesale distributor of all kinds of electronic parts, including Zener diodes. View listings of available inventory and request price quotes from their website. Surplus Sales of Nebraska offers hard-to-find and surplus electronics, and offers reduced prices on bulk orders of Zener diodes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's important to know that you have Zener diodes that work as expected. Whether you're working in a lab or producing and installing electronics, you can test Zener diode current properties by creating your own Zener diode tester. If you're not sure how to go about this, look for a web Zener diode tutorial with a diagram of how to set up a Zener diode test.