Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [tvs]

Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) are a type of semiconductor designed to protect against overvoltage situations.

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What is the difference between "reverse stand off voltage" and "breakdown voltage" on a TVS?

On a transient voltage suppressor, let's take a unidirectional Fairchild P6KE11A for example, what is the main difference between reverse stand off voltage (\$V_{RWM}\$) and breakdown voltage (\$V_{BR}\$) as shown on the chart on page 2? In my…
JYelton
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Differences between TVS diode and Zener diodes, in diagrams and in practice?

I have been looking at circuit protection using TVS and Zener diodes. I have seen the following symbols used to represent TVS diodes in circuit diagrams: simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab I guess the first question is…
feetwet
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TVS Diode Layout

I have two DB37 connectors on my board which ultimately connect to a CPLD. All of these connections/signals are inputs to the device. To protect from ESD I am using TVS Diodes ESD9C3.3ST5G. I have the board like so: DB37 -> Diodes -> Pullup resistor…
Saad
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TVS diode before or behind resistor

The best way to protect AVR pin for me is RC filter and TVS diode but I don't know one thing. I've seen schematics where TVS diode was before RC filter like in first schematics. simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab But…
Piotr
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How do I protect against an automotive load dump?

A load dump occurs when the load to which a generator is delivering current is abruptly disconnected. In automotive electronics, this applies to disconnecting a battery while it is being charged by the alternator. It is apparently well-described in…
tyblu
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Difference between ESD and TVS diode?

What is the difference bweteen TVS diode and ESD. Though both of the functions are the same, which do we need to choose for what application?
Selva97
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Technical explanation desired: are TVS safe for continuous dissipation? Why/why not?

In answers such as this one, https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/647135/311631 I've seen suggestions that TVS diodes are not "reliable" under repetitive or continuous operation, such as a Zener diode might be used. (Assume the poorer tolerance…
Tim Williams
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Relay protection when proper TVS at load cannot be implemented

I'm currently developing a product which has a simple SPDT relay that can be controlled by an operator. To the end-user, only the common, normally open and normally closed contacts are available. The relay is driven by circuitry in our device, which…
Chi
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Transient voltage suppression diode not doing its job

I have a circuit which works on 21V DC and draws 3A maximum current. I need to get it tested to IEC 61000-4-4 and 61000-4-5 standards which are surge immunity tests. I use a UL certified switch mode power supply to power my unit. The supply…
mic
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How can I protect MCU GPIO input pins from accidental overvoltage by user error?

I'm using the SM32F207Z MCU for input/outputs digital processing. The MCU will also handle Ethernet communications. I/O port functions will be provided by 16 + 16 digital input/outputs. Our application will read logic levels from GPIO pins…
Suvi_Eu
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How necessary is ESD protection, really?

I'm not asking about manufacturing. I'm asking about designing electronics to survive normal use in the field. I want to figure out just how necessary it is to include TVS diodes in my design. As I mentioned in my previous question, rarely did…
Foxie
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Connecting TVS before or behind Ethernet transformer?

I looked at several designs and recomendations. Why do TVS diodes sometimes connect before and behind transformer? What are the pros and cons of connecting before or behind?
AndreyB
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Using a TVS diode instead of, or in addition to a MOV for AC line protection?

For 220 V AC mains voltage, is it good practice to replace a 300 V MOV with a 300 V bidirectional TVS diode (like in here http://www.littelfuse.com/products/tvs-diodes.aspx), or connect both in parallel? Are there any points that need to be…
downthewire
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How to choose the correct TVS diode and how to size it?

So I was thinking about transient suppression and I found TVS diodes. I was wondering how to choose the correct TVS diode since they have 3 voltage parameters: Vc --> clamping voltage, voltage I think you want to cut the transient spike. the…
Suvi_Eu
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Why use a steering diode with a TVS for ESD protection?

Take this SR05 for example. The data sheet explains that you can use it with or without a reference voltage at pin 4. So why have the steering diodes at all for ESD protection? Is it to ensure that the TVS only receives bias when the voltage at pin…
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