TVS - Varistors, MOVs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
82541110 Würth Elektronik Midcom	VARISTOR 18V 200A 1206	1152
82550200 Würth Elektronik Midcom	VARISTOR 33V 100A 0805	2816
82556060 Würth Elektronik Midcom	SMT VARISTOR POWER 0603; 6VRMS;	0
820543011 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD 14MM; 300	0
820552711 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD WE-VD 5MM	200
820553811 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD 5MM; 385V	0
820513011 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD 10MM; 300	362
82550060 Würth Elektronik Midcom	VARISTOR 12V 80A 0805	4067
82550350 Würth Elektronik Midcom	SMT VARISTOR POWER 0805; 35VRMS;	0
820541021 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD WE-VD - B	50
820444611E Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR HIGHSURGE 14MM; 46	0
820554611 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD WE-VD 5MM	0
82531040 Würth Elektronik Midcom	VARISTOR 8V 150A 1206	2544
820423211 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR HIGHSURGE 20MM; 32	0
820542501 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD 14MM; 25V	0
820571111 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD 7MM; 115V	1701
82550110 Würth Elektronik Midcom	VARISTOR 18V 100A 0805	2875
82536140 Würth Elektronik Midcom	VARISTOR 25V 30A 0603	3540
820572511 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD WE-VD 7MM	378
820526811 Würth Elektronik Midcom	DISK VARISTOR STANDARD WE-VD - B	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