The BZV55-B18,115 is an 18V 500mW Zener diode from Nexperia (formerly NXP) in miniMELF (SOD-80C, LL-34) package, with 2% tolerance (B suffix). The Zener diode operates in reverse breakdown: when reverse-biased above the Zener voltage (VZ = 18V +/- 2%), the diode conducts and maintains a nearly constant voltage across its terminals regardless of current changes. The Zener impedance (ZZ) is 25 ohms typical at IZT = 5mA, meaning a 1mA current change produces only 25mV voltage change (0.14% regulation). The temperature coefficient is approximately +9mV/C for 18V Zener (positive, as Zeners above 5.6V have positive tempco). The 500mW power rating at 25C ambient limits the maximum Zener current: IZ(max) = 500mW / 18V = 27.8mA. A series resistor (RS) must be used: RS = (VIN – VZ) / IZ, where IZ is chosen to be 5-10mA for good regulation plus the load current. The miniMELF (Miniature MELF) package is a cylindrical glass-body SMD package, 3.5mm long and 1.5mm diameter, providing better voltage stability than flat SMD packages because the glass body has lower mechanical stress on the die. The -B suffix specifies 2% tolerance (vs 5% for C suffix). The ,115 suffix specifies tape-and-reel (52mm, 5000 pcs). The 115 is the Nexperia packing code. Applications include: voltage reference, voltage clamping, overvoltage protection, and level shifting.