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Circuit Protection Reference Guide

This reference guide outlines the basic circuits for protection, and the major protective
systems based on these basic circuits. It is the ideal memory aid to help you select the
optimum protection solution for your design!

Protective circuit with diode Recovery diode Circuit breaker

• Suitable only for DC and low switching loads Automatic switch that protects an electrical
• High reliability circuit from damage by excess current caused
• Limits peak of self-induction voltage to the by overload or short circuit. Interrupts the
diode’s threshold voltage current flow when an overload detected

Protective circuit with diode Breakdown diode TVS Diode

and Zener diode
• Suitable only for DC Protects ICs from voltage spikes induced in
• No suppression of voltages below connected wires
Zener voltage
• Limits induction voltage to diode’s threshold
voltage + Zener voltage

Fuse

Protects an electrical circuit from overcurrents

Protective circuit with varistor Short-circuit to self-induction

• Suitable for AC and DC

• Voltage-dependent resistor, used to protect
V
against excess transient voltages
• No suppression of voltages below Varistor’s
threshold voltage
• Suppression of self-induction voltage
Surge suppressor
depends on Varistor characteristic
Protects ICs from AC voltage spikes

Snubber RC Filter

• Suitable for AC
• Mainly used for switching contacts
• RF suppression Thermal cut-off
• Voltage peak depends on R and C
• Contact voltage depends on R Interrupts electrical currents when the
temperature reaches a specified value.

Protective circuit with resistor Simple protection circuit

• Suitable for AC and DC Thermistor

• Voltage peak direct proportional to R
Temperature-dependent resistor, used to limit

V inrush currents.

Circuit protection