Any better alternative to a zener?

[JMG]

I have a varying 0 - 24v input signal but I can only use 0 - 10v. I need to hold at 10v, anything higher than 10v, but I still need to allow everything from 0 to 10v to reach the rest of the circuit.
A simple zener and 2.6K resistor will do the job but is it stable? Anything a bit more robust or accurate that can do this? Current requirement is a couple of mA.

 

[pauloynski]

Depends on the precision you need.

 

[Prototyp_V1.0]

What about making a current source and a simple resistor or pot?
That way you'll keep the voltage over the pot steady.

 

[dick_freebird]

A zener has the virtue of simplicity. It is the basic shunt
regulator. You can get IC shunt regulators which are better
for line/load regulation but act the same. You could
boost the zener with a NPN (and base shunt resistor)
and get nearer to flat tempco.

Series regulators are likely to be better at higher current
but tend to have a destructive voltage limit, while a shunt
style could work with 1kV at the head end, provided you
used a series resistor sized to limit current to a safe value
for all parties concerned.

Some of National's 3-terminal adjustable regulators have
higher than 40V ratings, and I've seen app notes about
using them as shunt regulators as well.

 

[JMG]

Precision is not really important on this design. The zener will work fine, I was just wondering what others would do.
Thanks for the responses!

 

[biff44]

I would recommend this. Slightly more elegant than a zener and resistor. Zener wants to be around 9.3 volts. NPN power transistor, heat sink it if you are taking out significant current. If you need low output noise, put a .1 uF in parallel with the zener.