TVS - Varistors, MOVs

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	VE17M00251KEB Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 390V 4.5KA DISC 17MM	0
	VE13M00950KEF Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 150V 2.5KA DISC 13MM	0
	VE17M00950K-- Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 150V 4.5KA DISC 17MM	0
	VE09M00350K-- Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 56V 250A DISC 9MM	0
	VE17M01750KED Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 270V 4.5KA DISC 17MM	0
	VE13M00551K-- Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 860V 2.5KA DISC 13MM	0
	VE24P00231K Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 360V 10KA DISC 24MM	0
	VE13M00301K Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 470V 2.5KA DISC 13MM	0
	VE13P00131K Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 205V 3.5KA DISC 13MM	0
	VE07M00350K-- Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 56V 100A DISC 7MM	0
	VE07M00250KDB Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 39V 100A DISC 7MM	0
	VE09M00151KDR Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 240V 1.2KA DISC 9MM	0
	VE07M00251K Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 390V 400A DISC 7MM	0
	VE17M00600K-- Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 100V 4.5KA DISC 17MM	0
	VE24P02750K Elco (AVX)	VARISTOR 430V 10KA DISC 24MM	0

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