A semiconductor P-N junction diode that has a controlled reverse-bias breakdown
voltage, and is used to supply (clamp) a specific voltage for other protected components
(for example in an IC). The Zener effect describes a tunnel breakdown phenomenon that is
restricted to less than 5V. However, Zener diodes are traditionally used to describe any
reverse-bias P-N junction device used to supply a specific voltage, even those of several
hundred volts.
