This is a link from a recent thread:
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=70148&d=1403743624
It talks about picking a zener based on voltage required to protect the downstream circuit. However, it does not mention zener current. In my case I want a 20VDC zener to protect a MPSA06 transistor. The relay coil will be passing about 170mA. I understand that when the coil is de-energized, the initial voltage from the collapsing magnetic field will be high but the current will never be higher than the 170mA. In looking at the zener data sheets, I do not see a spec for max reverse bias current. How do I know if a 20V DC zener will handle the 170mA transient current? Thanks.
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=70148&d=1403743624
It talks about picking a zener based on voltage required to protect the downstream circuit. However, it does not mention zener current. In my case I want a 20VDC zener to protect a MPSA06 transistor. The relay coil will be passing about 170mA. I understand that when the coil is de-energized, the initial voltage from the collapsing magnetic field will be high but the current will never be higher than the 170mA. In looking at the zener data sheets, I do not see a spec for max reverse bias current. How do I know if a 20V DC zener will handle the 170mA transient current? Thanks.