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