TVS - Varistors, MOVs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
NTE524V42 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 420V RMS	570
NTE2V480 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 480V RMS	894
NTE2V150 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 150V RMS	1666
NTE1V020 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 20V RMS	227
NTE524V13 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 130V RMS	1228
NTE1V115 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 115V RMS	409
NTE1V150 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 150V RMS	1824
NTE2V010 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 10V RMS	1207
NTE1V015 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 15V RMS	12540
NTE524V15 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 150V RMS	497
NTE2V025 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 25V RMS	576
NTE1V030 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 30V RMS	4019
NTE1V075 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 75V RMS	775
NTE2V300 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 300V RMS	891
NTE1V035 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 35V RMS	319
NTE2V014 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 14V RMS	1992
NTE524V30 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 300V RMS	1385
NTE2V130 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 130V RMS	2312
NTE1V025 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 25V RMS	2002
NTE1V300 NTE Electronics, Inc.	MOV 300V RMS	1997

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