TVS - Varistors, MOVs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
NTE1V250 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 250V RMS	1011
NTE1V095 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 95V RMS	359
NTE2V030 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 30V RMS	233
NTE2V060 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 60V RMS	564
NTE2V040 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 40V RMS	860
NTE2V017 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 17V RMS	1952
NTE2V275 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 275V RMS	732
NTE524V48 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 480V RMS	465
NTE2V095 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 95V RMS	1314
NTE1V175 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 170V RMS	1892
NTE2V020 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 20V RMS	1944
NTE2V075 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 75V RMS	2464
NTE1V017 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 17V RMS	132
NTE1V060 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 60V RMS	1664
NTE524V27 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 275V RMS	847
NTE2V115 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 115V RMS	1544
NTE1V010 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 10V RMS	1139
NTE524V17 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV-170V RMS	124
NTE2V050 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 50V RMS	1827
NTE1V275 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 275V RMS	2992

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