What is a TVS array?

What is a TVS array?

TVS Diode Arrays (SPA devices) Littelfuse TVS Diode Arrays (SPA® silicon protection arrays) are designed to protect electronics from very fast and often damaging voltage transients, such as lightning and electrostatic discharge (ESD). At 6,000 static volts, an ESD event will be painful to a person.

What is low capacitance diode?

Low forward voltage and ultra high-speed switching in addition to very low capacitance, makes them ideal for a variety of RF applications like RF detectors. They are available in both leaded gull-wing packages and leadless DFN options with side-wettable flanks for AOI inspection.

What does a transorb do?

A transient voltage suppression diode (commonly known as a “transorb”) is an electronic component used to protect sensitive electronics from voltage spikes induced by another source. A transorb will shunt excessive current when the voltage across the transorb exceeds a certain level.

When would you use a TVS diode?

The TVS diodes fast response time and low clamping voltages make them ideal for use as board level protectors for semiconductors and other sensitive components. Applications include data and signal lines, microprocessors & MOS memory, AC power lines, and telecommunication equipment.

What is the purpose of a varistor?

Varistors are used to protect a circuit from high voltage surges. When a high voltage surge is applied to a circuit, the outcome is usually catastrophic to the circuit. A capacitor may be installed across the signal lines. However, this capacitor cannot suppress voltage surges.

Can I replace a varistor with a capacitor?

broken capacitor You can replace it with a new one provided it is for the same voltage levels that it triggers.

What happens when a varistor fails?

Under different current conditions, failure modes include electrical puncture (see Figure 4), physical cracking (see Figure 5), and thermal runaway. Cracking happens because varistors are basically a ceramic material, and hitting them with a sharp high-amplitude surge is like hitting a dinner plate with a hammer.

Where should a TVS diode be placed?

Place TVS diode near the edge of the PCB. To enable the excessive surge current to be channeled to chassis ground before damaging the transceiver, the placement of the TVS diode is also important. It is a good practice to place TVS diodes as close to the edge of the board as possible.

How does a TVS diode fail?

TVS devices will fail in one of three modes. These are shorts, opens, and degraded devices. In most applications, the preferred method of failure is a short. A short is defined when the TVS device has a resistance value of less than 1 Ω at a DC voltage of 0.1 V (ref.

How do I know if my varistor is bad?

Open the case with the screwdrivers and locate the varistor. It is usually a brightly coloured disk the size of a coin. The varistor will likely be wired to a fuse holder. If the varistor is visibly burnt through or broken, it is bad; replace it.

How do I identify a TVS diode?

TVS diodes will usually be located near the power connector, but not always. Since TVS diodes in HDD applications are surface mounted devices, they will be identified with an abbreviated marking code rather than a full part number. Some common marking codes for 12V diodes are LE, LEM, LEK, BUX, KVP, 13L.

Which is the best low capacitance TV product?

Products Number Name RClamp0532T Low Capacitance RailClamp® 4-Line Surge RClamp0582N RailClamp® Low Capacitance TVS Diode Arr RClamp2594N Low Capacitance RailClamp® 4-Line Surge RClamp3346P Low Capacitance RClamp® 6-Line ESD prote

Which is Microsemi TVs arrays have low capacitance?

Microsemi’s Low Capacitance TVS Arrays Array families include the the traditional TVS Arrays using SO8 and SO16 packages, as well as the USB TVS Arrays, with ultra Low Capacitance and supporting high frequency and low attenuation, as well as a low clampign voltage and options with multiple die stacks and arrays. Micronote 103 – What is a TVS?

Why do we need Semtech low capacitance TVs?

Semtech offers a broad portfolio of low-capacitance TVS arrays to safeguard high-speed data interfaces from transient voltage threats. Our low-capacitance TVS arrays are optimized to arrest ESD and surge transients on the industry’s highest speed digital interfaces, while also presenting minimal capacitive loading to preserve signal integrity.