Hello. Is there a electronical component that is a voltage regulator like a zener diode except it allows current and voltage flow until that voltage or current meets the breakdown voltage and or current then it regulates how much flow is allowed unlike a zener diode which you have to meet the reverse bias breakdown voltage before it allows current to flow and regulate that current. This allows current to flow till it meets the breakdown voltage and or current then regulates it from that point. Thanks and have a good day.

 

There's no single component to do that.
You need a circuit.

 

There are current regulators and then there are voltage regulators... As Crutschow says they don't work without a circuit to put them in. What are you trying to do? What voltages and currents?

 

sounds complicated.
Do you ever wander why laws of physics are not complicated?

 

I don't follow or understand your question. I need short sentences.

 

Do you ever wander why laws of physics are not complicated?

No.
But I tend to wander a lot.

 

Isn't a diode like a one way valve ? Just asking cause that's how I understood it.

Brzrkr

 

Isn't a diode like a one way valve ? Just asking cause that's how I understood it.

Brzrkr

Until you exceed the absolute maximum reverse voltage <evil grin> then it acts like a fun popper... But yes, that's how I explain diodes to folks with PhDs /duck

 

Until you exceed the absolute maximum reverse voltage <evil grin> then it acts like a fun popper... But yes, that's how I explain diodes to folks with PhDs /duck

I was fixing to say the same thing
@Drmario5237
So YES it is a voltage regulator! I would just buy alot of them cause your going to need them.

Brzrkr

 

Hello. Is there a electronical component that is a voltage regulator like a zener diode except it allows current and voltage flow until that voltage or current meets the breakdown voltage and or current then it regulates how much flow is allowed unlike a zener diode which you have to meet the reverse bias breakdown voltage before it allows current to flow and regulate that current. This allows current to flow till it meets the breakdown voltage and or current then regulates it from that point. Thanks and have a good day.

Speaking strictly of voltage regulation, you can accomplish what you're describing with a zener and a resistor. The resistor limits current while the zener is conducting. The zener is in parallel to your load. Below the breakdown voltage, the zener does nothing. At or above the breakdown, the zener will shunt current to ground, holding the voltage fairly steady, up until the current limit of the zener is approached. The resistor prevents crossing that line and seeing an over-current in the zener.

This arrangement is crude and has limited range, but it could work in the right scenario. Hence the questions you are getting about what you really want to do. If you want a voltage-limited and/or current limited bench power supply, one or two components aren't going to achieve that.

 

A very common and simple component to generate a constant voltage at up to about 1.5A is an LM317 regulator.
It's voltage can be adjusted using two resistor from 1.25V to about 3V below its supply voltage.
It inherently limits the output current to about 1.5A.
It also limits the current if it overheats, (from an inadequate heat-sink) so it won't be damaged.
If you want a lower current limit, you can add additional components to provide that function.

.

 

Isn't a diode like a one way valve ?

In general.
But a Zener diode, for example, is designed to conduct with a constant voltage in the reverse direction when its breakdown voltage is reached.

 

In general.
But a Zener diode, for example, is designed to conduct with a constant voltage in the reverse direction when its breakdown voltage is reached.

So once reached the voltage will go into reverse (?)
won't that destroy something (?)
I want to understand.

Brzrkr

 

So once reached the voltage will go into reverse (?)
won't that destroy something (?)
I want to understand.

It will destroy the zener if the current is not limited to stay below its specified level. Same as a forward conducting diode. It has a limit and you don't want to get close or exceed that.

 

So once reached the voltage will go into reverse (?)

It will start to conduct current in the reverse direction (cathode to anode) at the breakdown voltage.

won't that destroy something (?)

It will destroy the Zener if the current is not limited so that its dissipation (Vzener * Izener) stays belows its maximum rating.

 

So once reached the voltage will go into reverse (?)
won't that destroy something (?)
I want to understand.

Brzrkr

That's correct. Zerers are reverse biased and have a specified breakdown voltage. So if you want a certain voltage the zener will breakdown at the specified voltage and limil the circuit voltage. I prefer the LM or L7 IC because they will "regulate" the voltage and not just limit it like a zener does.

 

Thanks all I was hoping I would get clarification on how I thought it worked.
Hey look OBW a like and a Trophy
Wonder how that works ?
Brzrkr

 

sounds complicated.
Do you ever wander why laws of physics are not complicated?

Really, when one investigates and understands the laws of physics, including thermodynamics, they are complicated when you understand what they mean and why. Just simple to state in the general form.