Article Name Use transient
voltage suppression diodes to ruggedize circuits and maintain electrical integrity
By Bill Schweber Contributed By DigiKey's North American Editors
Electrical fast transient (EFT) voltages are a reality that designers must account for to protect their circuits, systems, and system users. EFTs have many sources, including common electrostatic discharge (ESD) due to an simple actions like walking across a rug, starting a motor, or striking lightning causing a ripple effect. These transients can adversely affect every product class, from low-voltage battery- powered wearables to high-power motor systems. The effects of EFTs range from temporary disruption and
inability to function to long-term degradation in performance and outright permanent damage and failure. While designers can take steps to reduce voltage transients, such as using anti-static enclosures, filtering, clamping at the source, or implementing additional grounding, these measures often need to be revised or upgraded depending on the specific application scenario. To reliably minimize or eliminate the detrimental consequences of transient voltages, designers can use two-terminal passive components
called transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes. Although generally viewed as an open circuit, these diodes react almost instantaneously and resemble a short circuit when the transient event occurs, thus diverting the transient overvoltage to ground. TVS diodes offer fast response, high voltage-withstand capability, long life, and low capacitance. This article will examine the need, role, types, and application of TVS diodes, using various device families and devices from Eaton Corporation plc (Eaton) for examples.
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