SPICE model of a real Zener diode tested at room

temperature
1st Marius-Florin Staniloiu
Electrical Engineering Faculty as
PHD student
Politehnica University of Bucharest
2022 International Conference and Exposition on Electrical And Power Engineering (EPE) | 978-1-6654-8994-2/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/EPE56121.2022.9959813
2nd Horatiu-Samir Popescu
Electrical Engineering Faculty as 3rd Georgiana Rezmerita
PHD student Electrical Engineering Faculty
Politehnica University of Bucharest Politehnica University of Bucharest

marius.staniloiu@yahoo.com horatiupopescu76@yahoo.com georgiana.rezmerita@upb.ro

4th Ionela Vlad 5th Mihai Iordache

Electrical Engineering Faculty as Electrical Engineering Faculty
PHD student Politehnica University of Bucharest
Politehnica University of Bucharest mihai.iordache@upb.ro
ionela.vlad@gmx.com

Abstract — In this work the study will start from the real
equivalent circuit of a Zener diode and a model in SPICE will
be created whose voltage varies with temperature and current.
SPICE model verification will be studied at the temperature of
25ºC. The study of the behavior of the SPICE model, taking into
account the variation with temperature will be presented in a
future paper. The behavior result of the proposed SPICE model
is compared with the behavior of the real Zener diode and with
the SPICE behavior of the Zener diode made in the SPICE
library by the component manufacturer.
Keywords — SPICE model, Zener diode, the equivalent circuit
for a real Zener diode, worst case.
The working point of the Zener diode starts in VZ (where VZ
is the design stabilization voltage of the diode) where it also
has a minimum operating current (IZMIN). The Zener diode
stabilizes up to a maximum current (IZMAX). This current is
limited by a maximum possible power on the diode (PMAX)
for which it is designed. The region between the minimum
operating current and the maximum operating current is the
stabilization region of the Zener diode.
Considering, these areas of operation and that the diode is
not ideal, Fig 3 shows the model of a real Zener diode.

I. INTRODUCTION
The SPICE ("Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit
Emphasis") is one of the most used programs in designing
circuits and simulating electrical circuits [1].
Currently, almost all major components manufacturers
offer SPICE models for their components. SPICE being very
simple to use and quick to learn. Another great advantage of
this tool is that it is easy to create your own SPICE model if
it is not available in the standard library or from the library of Fig. 2 Current variation as o function of voltage drop across the diode
component manufacturer. In the present work, ideal DZReve rse VDReverse

components, such as ideal voltage-controlled sources and

ideal current-controlled sources are used to create a model for DZIdeal
VZ
the Zener diode. A
RZSe rie s
K

II. A PROPOSED EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT FOR A REAL ZENER CDZ

DIODE
Fig. 1 represents the symbol of a Zener diode. DZREAL

Fig. 3 A proposed equivalent circuit of a real Zener diode

A K
Fig. 1 The symbol of a Zener diode
Fig. 2 shows the current-voltage characteristic of a Zener
diode. Three areas of operation can be observed: in the first
quadrant (right side of the Y coordinate, between 0V and
0.7V) it is observed that for voltages smaller than 0.65V (or
0.7V) the current is very small. For a voltage VD>0.7 V a
voltage drop across the diode is observed depending on the
variation of the current through the Zener diode (the behavior
being that of a rectifying diode). In quadrant III (between 0V
and VZ) it is observed that when applying a reverse voltage,
the diode is blocked up to a maximum value of the applied
voltage which depends on the construction of the diode. For
VD>VZ, the diode has a stabilizing behavior with respect to
voltage, hence the name of stabilizing diode or Zener diode.
The following components are highlighted in this circuit:
RZSeries - represents a parasitic resistor that is inserted in
series with the ideal Zener DZIdeal, it represents the losses due
to the copper wire of the Diode and the internal configuration
of the Diode.
CDZ - represents a parasitic capacitance in parallel with
the ideal Diode DZIdeal, this represents the parasitic
capacitance of the diode.
DZReverse - represents the ideal diode, used to achieve the
reverse current.
VDReverse - represents a controlled current source, which
depends on the temperature variation and the current

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variation through the ideal Diode, used to simulate direct
voltage on diode. Current [mA] vs Voltage [V]
VZ – represents a controlled voltage source, which 300
-25C˚
depends on the temperature variation and the current
variation through the ideal Diode, used to simulate reverse 0C˚
voltage on diode. 25C˚ 200
DZIdeal - represents an ideal Zener diode, used to simulate 75C˚
the direct voltage. 100C˚
100
III. THE VARIATION OF THE CURRENT DEPENDING ON THE

Current [mA]
VOLTAGE AND TEMPERATURE OF THE ZENER DIODE (IN
DIRECT AND REVERSE CONDUCTION) 0
Fig. 4 reprezents the voltage variation of a Zener diode -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
(BZX84_SERIES – 5.1V), all results are obtained
experimentally, where a current is applied through a Zener -100
diode, between 0mA and 250mA in different temperature
conditions (in direct and in reverse conditions). On the left
side of the graph it can be seen that the Zener diode opposes -200
voltages up to a certain value, around 5.1V (functioning as a
Zener diode). It can be seen that when a current of 50mA is
applied at an ambient temperature of -25ºC, the voltage drop Voltage [V] -300
across the diode is about 5.1V (see Fig. 4 mauve color)
compared to the same current applied to the diode but at an Fig. 4 Voltage variation of a real Zener diode
ambient temperature of 100ºC the voltage drop across the
diode will be about 5V (see Fig. 4 blue color). A temperature Next, considering the real model of the Zener diode, a
deviation of approximately 2% can be observed. This model SPICE of the real Zener diode will be proposed. In this
deviation is greater as the current increases through the diode. model, the variation of the current with voltage and
When a current of 200mA is applied at an ambient temperature is considered (fig. 5).
temperature of -25ºC the voltage drop across the diode is In Fig.5, H1 and H2 are a current controlled voltage
approximately 5.2V (see Fig. 4 mauve color) compared to the sources, in these sources, their property of varying the output
same current applied to the diode, but at an ambient voltage according to an integrated expression is used:
temperature of 100ºC, the voltage drop across the diode will
be less than 5V (see Fig. 4 blue color). In this case the = (1)
deviation with temperature is around 5%.
On the right side it is observed that the Zener diode = (2)
opposes voltages up to around 0.7V (functioning as a rectifier
diode). It can be observed that when applying a current of In formulas (1) and (2) the following parameters as
50mA at an ambient temperature of -25ºC the voltage drop highlighted: K1 and K2 are parameters that represents the
across the diode is about 0.9V (see Fig. 4 blue color) percentage variation of the voltage depending on the
compared to the same current applied to the diode but at an temperature and current. iD is a parameter that represents the
ambient temperature of 100ºC the voltage drop across the current through the diode as a function of time.
diode will be about 0.8V (see Fig. 4 mauve color). Can be
F1 and F4 are ideal controlled current sources whose
observed a deviation with temperature with around 10%. This
output value depends on the variation of the voltage with the
deviation is even greater as the current trough the diode
temperature and current.
increases. When a current of 200mA is applied at an ambient
temperature of -25ºC, the voltage drop across the diode is =% ×% (3)
about 1.05V (see Fig. 4 blue color) compared to the same
current applied to the diode but at an ambient temperature of =% ×% (4)
105ºC the voltage drop across the diode will be less than 0.9V
(see Fig. 4 mauve color). In this case, the deviation with
In formulas (3) and (4) the following parameters as
temperature is around 17%.
highlighted: KDI and KDZI represents the percentage change
in voltage with change in current (direct and reverse
conduction).
KDTemperature represents the variation in percentage of the
voltage taking into account the temperature variation.
F2 and F4 are ideal controlled current sources, whose
output values depend on the manufacturer’s stated percentage
variation of the voltage component with current, the sources
input depending on the diode current value (direct and reverse
conduction).
= → (! ) (5)

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 = # → (! ) (6)

F3 and F6 are ideal controlled current sources, whose TABLE II. APPROXIMATE VALUES OF THE ZENER DIODE VOLTAGE
output values depend on the manufacturer’s stated percentage DEPENDING ON TEMPERATURE AND CURRENT THROUGH THE DIODE
(REVERSE CONDUCTION) [16]
variation of the voltage component with temperature, the
sources input depending on the diode current value (direct Tempe The The The The The The The
and reverse conduction). The
rature current voltage current voltage current voltage current
voltage
applied applied drops applied drops applied drops applied
$ = → (! ) (7) to the through on the through on the through on the through
drops
on the
diode diode diode diode diode diode diode diode
% = → (!# ) (8) [֯C] [mA] [mV] [mA] [mV] [mA] [mV] [mA]
diode
[mV]
25 0.1 500 1 600 10 750 100 900
50 0.1 450 1 550 10 710 100 890
70 0.1 400 1 500 10 670 100 875
90 0.1 350 1 450 10 640 100 860
110 0.1 300 1 400 10 610 100 840
130 0.1 250 1 300 10 580 100 820
150 0.1 200 1 350 10 550 100 800

V. COMPARISON OF THE SPICE MODEL OF THE ZENER DIODE

WITH THE REAL ZENER DIODE AND WITH THE SPICE MODEL OF
THE COMPONENT MANUFACTURER
Next, to verify the performance of proposed SPICE
model, the proposed SPICE model of the Zener diode, the real
Zener diode, the SPICE model of the Zener diode proposed
by component manufacturer will be studied and the behavior
of the three models will be compared.
A. SPICE model validation – direct voltage (I=5mA)
Fig. 6 shows a circuit diagram of a direct conducting
Zener diode made with a Zener diode, a resistor and a power
supply, which was studied experimentally.
Using an oscilloscope, it is measuring the voltage drop at
the VD_Real point (oscilloscope used is Tektronix
DPO5104D)
The waveform will be saved in .CSV format for later used
Fig. 5 SPICE model of a real Zener diode. in SPICE.
IV. APPROXIMATE VOLTAGE AS A FUNCTION OF CURRENT In Fig. 6, is represented a step voltage source (V1) with
AND APPROXIMATE VOLTAGE AS A FUNCTION OF an increase from 0V to 10V (TDK-Lambda voltage source).
TEMPERATURE
In Fig.6, D_Real is a Zener diode (BZX84_C5V1) and R1
Next, the correctness of the SPICE model will be a 1kOhm resistor.
checked, the voltage variation of the diode with the applied
Fig. 7 shows an operating circuit of a conduction Zener
current will be studied. A Zener diode BZX84 5V1 will be
diode modeled in SPICE.
used.
V1 is a step voltage source with an increase from 0V to
TABLE I. APPROXIMATE VALUES OF THE ZENER DIODE VOLTAGE 10V.
DEPENDING ON TEMPERATURE AND CURRENT THROUGH THE DIODE (DIRECT
CONDUCTION) [16] D_Spice is a Zener diode in the SPICE library, a model
that is proposed by the component manufacturer.
Tempe The The The The The The
rature current voltage current voltage current voltage D_Nonlinear is a real Zener diode modeled in SPICE with
applied applied drops applied drops applied drops a variation of voltage depending on the current through the
to the through on the through on the through on the diode.
diode diode diode diode diode diode diode
[֯C] [mA] [mV] [mA] [mV] [mA] [mV] R1 and R2 are ideal resistors from the library (library
from SPICE).
25 1 5.1 100 5.2 200 5.4
50 1 5.1 100 5.18 200 5.36 U1 is a source from the SPICE library that allows the
70 1 5.07 100 5.15 200 5.33 voltage waveform to be loaded in .USR format (a user form).
90 1 5.04 100 5.12 200 5.25 The voltage waveform was taken from an oscilloscope
110 1 5 100 5.08 200 5.21 (Tektronix DPO5104B), which measured the voltage drop
130 1 4.95 100 5.03 200 5.17 across a real Zener diode.
150 1 4.9 100 5 200 5.1

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 Following the results of the circuit simulation in Fig. 7
using SPICE, the graph in Fig. 8 was obtained, where the
variation of the voltage can be seen.
Fig. 6 Circuit to study voltage drop on a real Zener diode - circuit made
practically.
Fig. 7 Circuit modeled in SPICE to study voltage drop on a Zener diode
(Nonlinear, Spice, Real).
Fig. 8 Voltage drop on a real Zener diode compared to a nonlinear Zener
diode modeled in SPICE and a SPICE model Zener diode.
The red graph shows the voltage drop across the SPICE
Zener diode, the blue graph and the black graph indicates the
voltage drop across the Zener diode modeled in SPICE and
the green graph indicates the voltage drop across the real
diode (measured using an oscilloscope).
Comparing the graphs, it can be seen, that the model of
the real diode modeled in SPICE is very close to the behavior
of the real Zener diode and represents a more unfavorable
case than the real Zener diode. This SPICE proposed model
can be used easily in the worst-case calculation. These
calculations are widely used in the automotive industry,
where the functioning of the component at the limit (lower or
upper) is much more important than normal functioning.
B. SPICE model validation – reverse voltage
Fig. 9 represent the diagram of a circuit of operation of a
Zener diode in reverse conduction, which was studied
experimentally, and the variation of the voltage on the diode
at point VD_Real was measured with the help of an
oscilloscope (Model Tektronix DPO5104B). The waveform
has been saved in .CSV format for later use in SPICE.
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In Fig. 9, V1 is a rectangular voltage source from 0V to
10V (TDK-Lambda voltage source). D_Real is a diode
(BZX84_C5V1) and R1 a 1kOhm resistor.
Fig. 9 Circuit to study voltage drop on a real Zener diode (reverse voltage) -
circuit made practically.
Fig. 10 Circuit modeled in SPICE to study voltage drop (reverse voltage) on
a Zener diode (Nonlinear, Spice, Real).
Fig. 10 shows an operation circuit of the Zener diode in
reverse conduction, circuit modeled in SPICE, D_Spice is a
diode in the SPICE library, a model proposed by the
component manufacturer. V1 is a rectangular voltage source
from 0V to 10V
D_Nonlinear is a real rectifier diode modeled in SPICE with
a variation of voltage depending on current.
U1 is a source from the SPICE library that loads your voltage
waveform in .USR format.
Voltage measured with an oscilloscope (Tektronix
DPO5104B), which was used to measure the voltage drop on
a real diode.
Following the circuit simulation in Fig. 10 in SPICE, the
graph from Fig. 11 was obtained, where the voltage variation
on the diodes can be seen.
The red graph shows the voltage drop across the SPICE Zener
diode, the blue graph shows the voltage drop across the Zener
diode modeled in SPICE, and the green graph shows the
voltage drop across the actual Zener diode (measured using
an oscilloscope).
Comparing the three graphs, the real diode model made in
SPICE is very close to the behavior of the real diode and
represents a worse case than the real Zener diode. These
calculations are widely used in the automotive industry,
where the functioning of the component at the limit (lower or
upper) is much more important than normal functioning.

Fig. 11 Voltage drop on a real Zener diode compared to a nonlinear Zener
diode made in SPICE and a SPICE model Zener diode
VI. CONCLUSIONS
In the word, the most used SPICE circuit simulators have
a large library of electrical and electronic components, plus
almost all-important component manufactures offer a SPICE
model for their components. But from the tests done, these
proposed SPICE models do not seem to be complete, as the
simulators are focused on the operating in the middle limits
for the Zener diode. Given the model for a real Zener diode,
this study proposes a SPICE model that includes the voltage
drop across on the Zener diode with diode current, series
parasitic resistor (RSeries) with Zener diode, series parasitic
capacitance (CDZ) and influence reverse voltage on the diode
(via VDBreakdown and DZBreakdown). The validation of
the model and the model proposed by the component
manufacturer was carried out by comparing the results from
the SPICE simulation with the results from real circuits. The
results presented show that the proposed SPICE model for the
Zener diode appear to be better than the SPICE model
proposed by the component manufacturer and represents a
worse case than the real Zener diode (for reverse conduction).
For direct voltage, the proposed SPICE model for the Zener
diode has the possibility to obtain the worst possible case for
the studied circuit (lower in upper). These are widely used in
the automotive industry, where the functioning of the
component at the limit is much more important than normal
functioning.
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voltage variation” (EPE2020), Date of Conferences: 22-23 October 2020,
Added to IEEE Xplore: 18 February 2021, DOI:
10.1109/EPE50722.2020.9305554
[20] Marius Florin Staniloiu, Horatiu Samir Popescu, Bogdan Glod, Mihai
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variation” (EPE2020), Date of Conferences: 22-23 October 2020, Added to
IEEE Xplore: 18 February 2021, DOI: 10.1109/EPE50722.2020.9305677