TVS - Varistors, MOVs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
VDRS10P060BKE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 100V 2.5KA DISC 12MM	0
VDRH05E320BKE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 510V 800A DISC 7MM	0
MLV1812E33003T Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 800A 1812	444
VDRS14T095ALE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 150V 4.5KA DISC 16MM	0
VDRS05C300AGE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 470V 400A DISC 7MM	0
VDRH20R025BSE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 39V 3KA DISC 22.50MM	0
VDRS07H320TME Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 510V 1.2KA DISC 9MM	0
VDRH05E230BSE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 360V 800A DISC 7MM	0
MLV1812E31403T Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 800A 1812	995
VDRH14V320BKE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 510V 6KA DISC 16MM	0
VDRS05C130ASE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 205V 400A DISC 7MM	0
VDRS10P250TME Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 390V 2.5KA DISC 12MM	0
VDRS07B040BSE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 68V 250A DISC 9MM	0
VDRS07H420TME Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 680V 1.2KA DISC 9MM	0
VDRS14T060TSE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 100V 4.5KA DISC 16MM	0
VDRH20X420BKE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 680V 10KA DISC 23MM	0
MLV1812E32503T Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 800A 1812	3311
VDRH14V250TLE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 390V 6KA DISC 16MM	0
VDRS07H300BKE Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 470V 1.2KA DISC 9MM	0
MLV1206E34003T Vishay BC Components/Beyshlag/Draloric	VARISTOR 180A 1206	2875

TVS - Varistors, MOVs

1. Overview

Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS), Varistors, and Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) are critical components for protecting electronic circuits from voltage spikes and electrostatic discharge (ESD). These devices clamp excessive voltage to safe levels, preventing damage to sensitive components. TVS diodes are semiconductor-based solutions with fast response times, while Varistors (including MOVs) use nonlinear resistive materials to absorb energy. Their importance spans industries like telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics, ensuring reliability in environments exposed to electrical surges.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
TVS Diodes	Unidirectional/bidirectional clamping, sub-nanosecond response time, low leakage current	Communication interfaces (USB, HDMI), microcontrollers, power supplies
Zinc Oxide Varistors	High energy absorption, voltage-dependent resistance, aging characteristics	Power line protection, industrial motor drives, surge protection strips
MOVs	Specialized varistors with metal oxide ceramics, optimized for AC/DC applications	Appliances, LED lighting, renewable energy systems

3. Structure and Composition

TVS diodes employ a PN junction semiconductor structure with doping profiles optimized for breakdown characteristics. Varistors consist of polycrystalline ceramic materials (typically zinc oxide grains with additives) sandwiched between metal electrodes, encapsulated in epoxy or molded housings. MOVs use similar materials to varistors but with enhanced grain boundary engineering for improved voltage clamping. All devices incorporate termination coatings (e.g., silver, tin) for PCB mounting compatibility.

4. Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Description	Importance
Clamping Voltage (V_CLAMP)	Voltage level during surge conduction	Determines protection level for downstream components
Response Time	Time to transition from blocking to clamping mode	TVS: 0.5-10 ns; MOVs: 10-50 ns
Energy Absorption (W_ADM)	Maximum surge energy handling capability	Measured in joules (J), critical for industrial applications
Leakage Current	Off-state current at rated voltage	Impacts power efficiency, typically <100 A

5. Application Fields

Key industries include:

Consumer Electronics: Smartphone charging circuits, TV power supplies
Industrial Automation: PLCs, motor drives, sensor interfaces
Automotive: ECU protection, CAN bus interfaces, battery management systems
Renewable Energy: Solar inverters, wind turbine controllers

Case Study: MOVs in smart meters provide 10kA surge protection against grid transients.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Specifications
Littelfuse	SM712-02	12A, 13.3V clamping, bidirectional TVS for RS-485
Bourns	V14450A	14mm MOV, 450VAC, 210J energy rating
STMicroelectronics	TV05C060	0.5W, 6V, ultra-small TVS for IoT devices

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Operating voltage vs. clamping voltage margin
Surge current requirements (8/20 s waveform standard)
Package size constraints (SMD vs. through-hole)
Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity)
Lifespan expectations (MOVs degrade with repeated surges)

8. Industry Trends

Emerging trends include:

Miniaturization: Sub-0201 TVS devices for mobile applications
Higher energy density: MOVs with >1000J/cm absorption
Integration: Combined ESD and surge protection solutions
Automotive focus: AEC-Q qualified devices for 48V systems
Green manufacturing: Lead-free and RoHS-compliant materials