Can an ordinary diode be used as a zener diode? Justify your answer.
Ans
Ordinary diode can't be used as a Zener diode, since ordinary diodes aren't operated in the reverse bias breakdown region to avoid them from damaging. These diodes are generally operated in forward region and never operated in reverse region, as small signal and rectifier diode are never operated in breakdown (or reverse region). Zener diode is a specially designed silicon diode that is optimized to operate in the breakdown region.