TVS - Varistors, MOVs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
8S17SM131T6 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT CHIP 3220 130V	10000
SM20ZOV151RA20 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT 20MM DISC	70
SM10ZOV251RA40 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT 10MM DISC	81
SM14ZOV551RA115 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT 14MM DISC	124
8S17SM251 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT CHIP 3220 250V	10000
8S17SM251T6 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT CHIP 3220 250V	10000
8S17SM231 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT CHIP 3220 230V	10000
8S17SM121 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT CHIP 3220 120V	9975
D65ZOV321RA160 Maida Development Company	STANDARD MOV 320vac	230
SM14ZOV151RA35 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT 14MM DISC	77
8S17SM151T6 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT CHIP 3220 150V	10000
8S17SM140T6 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT CHIP 3220 14VA	10000
SM20ZOV251RA45 Maida Development Company	MOV SURFACE MOUNT 20MM DISC	61

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