This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the TVS Diodes category on DigiKey.com
TVS Diodes are a semiconductor device designed to limit or stop surges in a specific voltage level. The items in this family are designed using diodes (a component that conducts in just one direction). TVS is an acronym for Transient Voltage Suppression (Suppressor). The types are steering (rail to rail) or Zener with the characteristics of unidirectional channels, bidirectional channels, voltage – reverse standoff, voltage – breakdown, voltage – clamping, current – peak pulse, power – peak pulse, and power line protection.
SelectionCharacteristics
Type: Defines the primary construction style of the device, indicating which type of part it is and determining its general usage.
Unidirectional Channels: The number of distinct circuits for which a device provides protection against over-voltage of a specific polarity.
Bidirectional Channels: The number of separate circuits a single device can protect, in a polarity-independent or symmetric manner.
Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ): The maximum working voltage of a device in normal operation, usually specified for a device temperature near 25°C.
Voltage - Breakdown (Min): The minimum voltage required to force a test current of manufacturer-defined amplitude through an over-voltage protection device.
Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp: The maximum voltage appearing across a device when subject to a test waveform described by the indicated peak pulse current.
Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs): The maximum non-repetitive current that a device is rated to conduct. Data shown reflects peak values for an IEC 10/1000us test waveform unless otherwise indicated.
Power - Peak Pulse: The maximum allowable power dissipation during a transient event, based on the same test waveform as the ‘Current-Peak Pulse’ parameter.
Power Line Protection: Indicates whether or not device contains connections for a power supply rail and an internal voltage clamp, providing protection for the power supply as well as individual I/O circuits.
Applications: Application is the type of equipment or environment the device will be used in, they are tested and typically rated by a third party to ensure certain minimum standards for the application they are intended for.
Capacitance @ Frequency: Characterizes the amount of capacitive loading a device presents to a circuit that it is used to protect.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the suppliers device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
Supplier Device Package: This is what the manufacturer calls the package of this device. They are manufacturer specific. It is typically best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheets rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | SMAJ6.0A |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | SMAJ6.0ALFTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Littelfuse Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | 10.3V Clamp 38.8A Ipp Tvs Diode Surface Mount DO-214AC (SMA) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 5KP36A-E3/54 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 5KP36A-E3/54GITR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division |
| DESCRIPTION | 58.1V Clamp 86.1A Ipp Tvs Diode Through Hole P600 |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | D3V3F8U9LP3810-7 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | D3V3F8U9LP3810-7DITR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Diodes Incorporated |
| DESCRIPTION | 5V (Typ) Clamp 5A (8/20µs) Ipp Tvs Diode Surface Mount U-DFN3810-9 (Type B) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | MMBZ27VCL-7-F |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | MMBZ27VCL-FDITR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Diodes Incorporated |
| DESCRIPTION | 38V Clamp 1A Ipp Tvs Diode Surface Mount SOT-23-3 |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
SchematicSymbol
Unidirectional TVS diode
Bidirectional TVS diode
Schematic symbol courtesy of Scheme-it. Please see their website for more information and symbols.
MediaLinks
Videos
How TVS Diodes Work
Littelfuse TVS Diodes | DigiKey Daily
Automotive High Reliability TVS Diodes
Articles
Automotive Grade TVS Diode Circuit Protection
Using TVS Diodes to Protect Gigabit Ethernet
Protecting USB From Power Surges
Product Training Modules
Transient Voltage Suppression Diodes - Littelfuse
Transient Voltage Suppressors - MCC
TVS Diode - KYOCERA AVX
Surge Protection Diodes - Comchip
XClampR® TVS in Operation - Vishay
Blogs
Protect your Product from ESD
TechForum
TVS Diode
Advantages of TVS Diodes
How to test the breakdown voltage of TVS diode
Difference between TVS and Zener Diodes