TVS - Varistors, MOVs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
V07P25AUTO Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 39V 800A DISC 7MM	0
V20P25AUTOL2T Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 39V 5KA DISC 20MM	0
TMOV25SP625E Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 1KV 20KA SQUARE 28MM	0
V550LU80CPX10 Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 880V 10KA DISC 20MM	0
V30MLA0805LNH Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 41.5V 30A 0805	5605
V3.5MLA0805H Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 5.35V 120A 0805	0
V351DHB34 Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 549.5V 40KA SQUARE 34MM	0
V175LS5P Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 270V 2.5KA DISC 20MM	0
V25S275P Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 430V 22KA RADIAL	439
V751HF34 Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 1.2KV 40KA SQUARE 34MM	0
TMOV20RP385M Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 620V 10KA DISC 20MM	27
V39RA16 Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 39V 1KA RADIAL BOX	0
V130LC2P Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 205V 1.2KA DISC 7MM	0
SMOV34S321MP Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 510V 40KA BOX 5 LEAD	0
V9MLN41206WH Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 13.5V 30A 1206	0
V33ZU1P Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 33V 250A DISC 7MM	0
FBMOV115M Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 180V 40KA AXIAL CYLINDR	0
V420LC40CP Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 680V 10KA DISC 20MM	0
V14E230P Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 360V 6KA DISC 14MM	3237
TMOV25SP175E Wickmann / Littelfuse	VARISTOR 270V 20KA SQUARE 28MM	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