# What techniques are the commonly used for over voltage protection?

**URL:** <https://forum.digikey.com/t/what-techniques-are-the-commonly-used-for-over-voltage-protection/33275>\
**Category:** Circuit Protection\
**Tags:** bourns-inc, faqs, circuit-protection, power\
**Created:** [July 21, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/what-techniques-are-the-commonly-used-for-over-voltage-protection/33275 "2023-07-21T20:01:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AaronRollens](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/aaronrollens/32/8752_2.png) [@AaronRollens](https://forum.digikey.com/u/AaronRollens)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/what-techniques-are-the-commonly-used-for-over-voltage-protection/33275/1 "2023-07-21T20:01:36Z")

</div>

The three different over-voltage protection technologies listed below are the most commonly used.

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**TVS (Transient Voltage Suppression) Diodes**

- **ESD Protection**  
Bourns recommends using Transient Voltage Suppressor [Diode Arrays](https://www.bourns.com/products/diodes/diode-arrays)  
DigiKey Website:[Circuit Protection | Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) | TVS](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/tvs-diodes/144)

- **Surge Protection**  
Bourns recommends using [Transient Voltage Suppressor Diodes](https://www.bourns.com/products/diodes/tvs-diodes)  
DigiKey Website: [Circuit Protection | Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) | Varistors, MOVs](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/varistors-movs/141)

- **Lightning and Surge Protection up to 20kA**  
Bourns recommends using [Power Transient Voltage Suppressor Diodes](https://www.bourns.com/products/diodes/power-tvs-diodes)  
DigiKey Website: [Circuit Protection | Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) | TVS](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/tvs-diodes/144)

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**MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors)**

- **ESD Protection**  
Bourns recommends using [MLVs(Multilayer Varistors)](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/varistor-products/mlv)  
DigiKey Website: [Circuit Protection | Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) | Varistors, MOVs](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/transient-voltage-suppressors-tvs/varistors-movs/141)

- **Surge Protection**  
Bourns recommends using Movs available in both [SMD](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/varistor-products/smd) and [Leaded](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/varistor-products/through-hole) types  
DigiKey Website: [Circuit Protection | Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) | Varistors, MOVs](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/varistors-movs/141)

- **Lightning and Surge Protection up to 40kA and beyond**  
Bourns recommends using [High Energy Varistors](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/varistor-products/high-energy)  
DigiKey Website: [Circuit Protection | Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) | Varistors, MOVs](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/varistors-movs/141)

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**GDTs (Gas Discharge Tubes)**

- **Traditional GDTs**  
Bourns recommends using traditional GDTs; available in both [2 Electrode](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/gas-discharge-tube-(gdt)-surge-arrestors/2-electrode-gdts) and [3 Electrode](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/gas-discharge-tube-(gdt)-surge-arrestors/3-electrode-gdts) versions.  
DigiKey Website:

- **Telecom and 5G applications**  
Bourns recommends using [Stacked GDTs](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/gas-discharge-tube-(gdt)-surge-arrestors/stacked)  
DigiKey Website: [Circuit Protection | Gas Discharge Tube Arresters (GDT) | DigiKey Electronics](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/gas-discharge-tube-arresters-gdt/142)

- **Hybrid technology devices** (designed to provide high reliability and board space-saving2 solutions.)  
Bourns recommends using [GMOV](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/gmov) or[IsoMOV](https://www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/isomov)  
DigiKey Website: [Evaluation and Demonstration Boards and Kits](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/evaluation-and-demonstration-boards-and-kits/787)  
DigiKey Website: [Circuit Protection | Gas Discharge Tube Arresters (GDT) | DigiKey Electronics](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/gas-discharge-tube-arresters-gdt/142)

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Please visit the link below to see all circuit protection devices on the DigiKey website  
[Circuit Protection](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/category/circuit-protection/9)

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