Contents
How can I compare a TVS diode with a varistor?
The immediate differences I see are: The varistor is marginally cheaper The varistor specifies a maximum working voltage much, much smaller than its clamp voltage. There seems to be no maximum working voltage on the diode, only the breakdown voltage. The diode is well-specified, and includes many graphs of its I/V characteristics.
What does transient voltage suppression ( TVS ) diode do?
A transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode is used to protect electronic components from electrical overstress such as that caused by electrostatic discharge and inductive load switching, which can cause sudden, short-lived high-amplitude voltage transients in either a positive or negative direction.
How does an AC / DC power supply work?
AC/DC Power Supply. The secondary or output side of the power supply uses a flyback topology to achieve the appropriate output voltage. This voltage is regulated using an opto-isolated feedback loop to a pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller, which adjusts the supply’s switching duty cycle accordingly.
Is there a maximum working voltage on a varistor?
The varistor specifies a maximum working voltage much, much smaller than its clamp voltage. There seems to be no maximum working voltage on the diode, only the breakdown voltage. The diode is well-specified, and includes many graphs of its I/V characteristics.
How to use TVS diodes for transient voltage suppresison?
The primary way to protect a circuit from overvoltage is to place these TVS devices in parallel with the circuit. There are many types of TVS device that can be used for Transient Voltage Suppression namely Metal Oxide Varistor, TVS Diode, Zener Diode or a Bypass Capacitor.
When does the TVS diode go away what happens?
When the normal voltage exceed to a certain level, the TVS diode junction avalanches and as the result overvoltage is diverted from the protected circuit and shunted through the TVS diode. The device automatically resets when the overvoltage goes away.
How does a TVS diode protect a circuit?
TVSs respond rapidly. (Source: MicroSemi MicroNotes 103) TVS diodes (and TVS diode arrays) protect circuits from Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). A TVS can protect a signal chain either unidirectionally or bi-directionally.