CORRECT Capacitor connection parallel to a Zener

[arupg]

Can someone be kind enough to guide me as to

what is the correct way to connect an electrolytic capacitor across a Zener diode?

Do I connect the +ve of cap to ANODE OF ZENER & -ve or cap to CATHODE OF ZENER

OR

Vice Versa??

Thanks in advance!

[anatech]

Hi arupg,

Do I connect the +ve of cap to ANODE OF ZENER & -ve or cap to CATHODE OF ZENER

No, you don't want to do that.

Vice Versa??

Much better.

A zener will develop a positive potential from its anode (neg) to its cathode (pos). They are designed to break down in reverse. Just like a regular diode except that the breakdown is undefined in the case of the standard diode.

When you reverse the applied voltage, the highest potential you will attain is one diode drop, and most capacitors can tolerate that just fine.

-Chris

[arupg]

Thank you Chris for clearing the doubt with your detailed explanation.
Much obliged!!

Arup