Hello I am trying figure out the differences between these wiring situations,
I've normally wired things the top pictured way, but as I learn more I'm watching people show wiring done on the bottom part of the image.
What's the differences ?
My confusion lies in with series vs parallel with a Zener diode.
Attached is the 2 wiring diagrams aforementioned.

 

The first drawing subtracts the zener voltage from the supply voltage.
The second drawing sets the voltage to the load as equal to the zener voltage.

 

Thank you, that makes sense!