Littelfuse MOV General Electrical PDF

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General Electrical MOV Training

Training Agenda

1. MOV Definition and Circuit Protection

2. MOV Characteristics and Device Physics

3. MOV General Electrical Power Application Example

4. MOV Product Selection

5. Littelfuse MOV Product Road Map

6. MOV Technology Challenges

Confidential and Proprietary to Littelfuse, Inc. © 2007 Littelfuse, Inc. All rights reserved. 1
General Electrical MOV Training

Section 1 MOV Definition and Circuit Protection


MOV Definition
– A MOV is a voltage suppression device that filters and clamps the transient in the electrical circuit
Circuit Protection Concepts
– Threats
• Repetitive Transients
• Random Transients
• General Electrical Line Transients
– Effects of Voltage Transients
• Effects on Semiconductors
• Effects on Electro-mechanical Contacts
• Effects on Insulation
– Transient Testing and Standards
• Regulatory Requirements
• UL Regulation
– Transient Suppression Method
• Clamping
• Crowbar
• Filters
• Transient Suppression Compared

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MOV Definition and General Electrical Circuit Protection

MOV Definition
– A Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) is a voltage suppression device that filters and clamps the transient in an
electrical circuit. A Varistor is a Variable Resistor, sometimes referred to as Voltage Dependant Resistors
(VDRs) by some manufacturers.

– An MOV is a voltage dependent, nonlinear device which has an electrical behavior similar to back to back
zener diodes.

– When exposed to high voltage transients, the MOV’s impedance changes many orders of magnitude from
a near open circuit to a highly conductive level, thus clamping the transient voltage to a safe level.

– The potentially destructive energy of the incoming transient pulse is absorbed by the varistor, thereby
protecting vulnerable circuit components.

– An MOV is composed primarily of zinc oxide with small additions of bismuth, cobalt, manganese and
other metal oxides. The structure of the body consists of a matrix of conductive zinc oxide grains
separated by grain boundaries providing P-N junction semiconductor characteristics. These boundaries
are responsible for blocking conduction at rated voltage and are the source of the nonlinear electrical
conduction at higher voltages.

– Electrical properties of the MOV are controlled mainly by the physical dimensions of the varistor body.
The energy rating is determined by volume, voltage rating by thickness, and current capability by area
measured normal to the direction of current flow.

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MOV Definition and General Electrical Circuit Protection

Circuit Protection Needs in General Electrical Systems


– A sudden change in the electrical conditions of any circuit will cause a transient voltage to be
generated from the energy stored in circuit inductance and capacitance. The rate of change in
current in an inductor will generate a switching-induced transient voltage.
– Energizing the transformer primary
• When a transformer is energized at the peak of the supply voltage, the coupling of this voltage
step function to the stray capacitance and inductance of the secondary winding can generate
an oscillatory transient voltage with a peak amplitude up to twice the normal peak secondary
voltage.
– De-Energizing the transformer primary
• The opening of the primary circuit of a transformer generates extreme voltage transients.
Transients in excess of ten times normal voltage have been observed across power
semiconductors when this type of switching occurs.
– Fault with inductive power source
• If a short develops on any power system, devices parallel to the load may be destroyed as the
fuse clears.
– Switch arcing
• When current in an inductive circuit is interrupted by a contactor, the inductance tries to
maintain its current by charging the stray capacitance.

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MOV Definition and General Electrical Circuit Protection

Transient Sources
– Major power system switching disturbances, such as capacitor bank switching
– Minor switching near the point of interest, such as an appliance turnoff in a household
– Resonating circuits associated with switching devices, such as thyristors
– Various system faults, such as short circuits and arcing faults

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MOV Definition and General Electrical Circuit Protection

MOV as Transient Suppression Device


There are two major categories of transient
suppressors:
a) Diverting transients away from sensitive
loads and thus limit the residual voltage
– Voltage Clamping type
– Crowbar type
b) Attenuate transients and preventing them
from propagating into the circuit to be
protected
The MOV depends on the source impedance
– Filters inserted in series within a circuit to effectively clamp.
– Attenuates high frequency and allows
the signal or power flow to continue
undisturbed Transient on Line
MOV as a voltage clamping device
– Circuit is essentially unaffected by the presence of Energy Dissipated
the device before and after the transient for any
steady-state voltage below the clamping level of the
Clamp Voltage
MOV used. VLINE
– The voltage clamping action results from the
increased current drawn through the device as the
voltage across it rises. The clamping of the voltage
results from the increased voltage drop across the
source impedance.

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General Electrical MOV Training

Section 2 MOV Characteristics and Device Physics


Measurement of Varistor Characteristics
– Electrical Characteristics
• Nominal varistor voltage VN
• Maximum Clamping Voltage VC
• DC Standby Current ID
– Maximum ratings
• Continuous / Rated RMS and DC Voltage
• Continuous Power Dissipation
– Thermal Characteristics
• De-rating
– Signal Integrity Characteristics
• Capacitance at 1MHz
Varistor Construction and how it affects the related Varistor characteristics
– Varistor Construction
– Varistor Energy Band
– Varistor Thermal Barrier

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MOV Characteristics and Device Physics

Electrical Characteristics

Nominal Varistor Voltage VN V-I Characteristics


This is measured at a DC test current, In of 1mA – Leakage Region
for product models. – Normal Operation
– Upturn Region

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MOV Characteristics and Device Physics

Electrical Characteristics

Continuous Power Dissipation


Since MOVs are used primarily for transient
suppression purpose, their power dissipation rating Temperature Dependence in the Leakage
has been defined and tested under transient Region
impulse conditions as outlined above.

The above table outlines a suggested program of


testing to verify MOV transient and pulse ratings
with a minimum of testing.

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MOV Characteristics and Device Physics

Device Constructions

Optical Photomicrograph Schematic depiction of the microstructure of a MOV


Cross section of a polished and etched varistor Grains of conducting ZnO averaged size “d” are
element separated by intergranular boundaries.

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MOV Characteristics and Device Physics

Device Operation Theory

Thermal Barrier vs Applied Voltage Chart


This varistor theory draws its inspiration from
semiconductor transport theory.
Energy band diagram of a ZnO Grain-
boundary ZnO junction

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General Electrical MOV Training

Section 3 MOV General Electrical Power Applications Examples

– Power Supply Protection

– SCR Motor Control

– Contact Arcing (due to inductive load)

– Noise Suppression

– Protection of Transistors (switching inductive loads)

– Motor Protection

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MOV General Electrical Power Applications Examples

Power Supply Protection

The MOV should always be placed as close as possible to the source of the
transient and in front of all components to be protected.

In this example, an MOV is used to protect the power supply again transients.

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MOV General Electrical Power Applications Examples

SCR Motor Control

In this circuitry, an MOV would be used to protect the rectifier and SCR against
transients when the power is switched off.

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MOV General Electrical Power Applications Examples

Contact arcing due to inductive load

In this circuitry, an MOV would be used to protect the transient for relay and therefore
extend the service life of the relays.

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MOV General Electrical Power Applications Examples

Noise Suppression

In this circuitry, an MOV would be used to reduce the noise generated from the
mechanical contacts switching on and off.

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MOV General Electrical Power Applications Examples

Motor Protection

In this application, an MOV would be used to protect the transient for the
motor from its insulation breakdown.

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MOV Applications Protection Examples

Global Lab Capabilities


• Qualification of all LF products
• UL-Approved Customer Testing in ISO 17025 Lab (Des Plaines)
– High power (AC/DC up to 1KV/50KA) UL approvals available in DP
– Telcordia approvals in DP planned (2008)
• Verification of Telcordia, ITU, IEC, FCC, and other industry, regulatory, and safety standards
– Verification to various OC and OV standards
• Insure application meets standards before submitting for approval
• Customer Application testing
– Assistance with design-in and performance verification
• Help with selection of appropriate technology and rating
– Application troubleshooting
• Assistance insuring proper OV/OC and primary/secondary protection coordination
– Competitive evaluations
• Competitive or technology performance comparisons
– Reliability & Tin Whisker data/testing

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General Electrical MOV Training

Section 4 MOV General Electrical Application Product Selection


Varistor Product Selection
– Varistor Type/Series Selection
• Identify Varistor Regulatory Requirements
• Identify Varistor Dimensional Requirements
• Identify Varistor Surge Rating Requirement
• Identify Varistor Capacitance

– Varistor Rating Selection


• Identify Varistor Voltage Rating Requirement

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MOV General Elec Application Product Selection

Varistor Product Selection Table

APPLICATION EXAMPLE TYPICAL SERIES SELECTED


TV/VCR/White Goods Office Equipment ZA, LA, UltraMOV, "C" III, CH, MA and ML Series

Motor Control ZA, LA, UltraMOV, "C" III, HA, HB, NA,
BA, BB, DA and DB Series
Transformer (Primary Protection) ZA, LA, UltraMOV, "C" III, BA, BB, DA,
DB, HA, HB, and NA Series
Instrumentation MA, ZA, ML, MLN and CH Series

Automotive (Primary / Secondary ZA, CH and AUML Series


Protection )
Noise Suppression MA, ML, MLN, MLE, CH, ZA, LA, UltraMOV and "C" III
Series
Power Supply LA, UltraMOV, "C" III, ZA, HA, HB, NA, BA, BB, DA,
and DB Series
Transient Voltage Suppressor AC Power TMOV, LA, UltraMOV, "C" III, Series
Strip
AC Distribution Panels LA, UltraMOV, "C" III, HA, HB, and NA Series

ESD Protection MLE, ML, MLN Series

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MOV General Elec Applications Product Selection

MOV AC Selection Table

VOLTAGE ENERGY PACKAGING AND PREFERRED


(V) (J) OTHER SERIES
CONSIDERATIONS
130 - 1000 11 - 360 Through-Hole Mounting LA
Low/Medium AC Power "C" III
Lines UltraMOV
130 - 275 11 - 23 Surface Mount CH
Leadless Chip

130 - 750 270 - 1050 High - Energy Applications DA


Shock / Vibration HA, HB
Environment NA
DB
130 - 880 450 - 3200 Rigid Terminals BA
Primary Power Line
Heavy Industrial
1100 - 2800 3800 - Rigid Terminals BB
10000 Heavy Industrial

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MOV General Elec Applications Product Selection

MOV DC Selection Table

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General Elec MOV Training

Section 5 Littelfuse MOV Product Road Map

EMI/ESD Array

0805 Array

SMD 0402 Integrated Pb-Free


Fusing

IndTMOV Pb-Free 1449 3rd

Industrial

SM 20 Pb-Free
TMOV
25mm
25mm
TMOV iTMOV Pb-Free
Leaded

2005 2006 2007

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General Elec MOV Training

Section 6 General Elec MOV Technology Challenges

– Higher Surge Ratings in Smaller Packages

– Multiple Devices in One Package

– Varistor Technology Combined with Other Technologies in the Same Package

– Higher Operating Temperatures

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