A 6.2 V Zener is rated at 1 watt. The maximum safe current the Zener can carry is

CONCEPT:

•  The special kind of diode, which permits current to flow not only in the forward direction but also allows current to flow in the reverse direction is called Zener diode.

Power of a Zener diode is given by:

P_max = V_z I_max

Where V_z is potential drop across diode and I_max is the maximum current in the diode.

CALCULATION:

Given that: Potential drop (V_z) = 6.2 V 

P_max = 1 W

In Zener diode, the max rated power is given by \({{\rm{P}}_{\max }} = {V_Z}{I_{max}}\)

\({I_{max}} = \frac{{1W}}{{6.2V}} = 161\;mA\) so option 2 is correct.