Application Note:

Transient Voltage Suppressors

(TVS Diode) Applications Overview

Transient Threats - What are Transients?

100%
90%
Voltage Transients are defined as short duration surges of
electrical energy and are the result of the sudden release of

Current (I) %
I30
energy previously stored or induced by other means, such as
heavy inductive loads or lightning. In electrical or electronic I60

circuits, this energy can be released in a predictable manner

10%
via controlled switching actions, or randomly induced into a 30n
circuit from external sources. 60n

tr = 0.7 to 1.0ns
Repeatable transients are frequently caused by the operation
of motors, generators, or the switching of reactive circuit Figure 2: ESD Test Waveform
components. Random transients, on the other hand, are
often caused by Lightning and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). The exponential rise time of lightning is in the range 1.2µsec
Lightning and ESD generally occur unpredictably, and may to 10µsec (essentially 10% to 90%) and the duration is in the
require elaborate monitoring to be accurately measured, range of 50µsec to 1000µsec (50% of peak values). ESD on
especially if induced at the circuit board level. Numerous the other hand, is a much shorter duration event. The rise time
electronics standards groups have analyzed transient voltage has been characterized at less than 1.0ns. The overall duration
occurrences using accepted monitoring or testing methods. is approximately 100ns.
The key characteristics of several transients are shown in the
table below. Why are Transients of Increasing Concern?
VOLTAGE CURRENT RISE-TIME DURATION Component miniaturization has resulted in increased sensitivity
Lighting 25kV 20kA 10 µs 1ms to electrical stresses. Microprocessors for example, have
Switching 600V 500A 50µs 500ms structures and conductive paths which are unable to handle
EMP 1kV 10A 20ns 1ms high currents from ESD transients. Such components
ESD 15kV 30A <1ns 100ns operate at very low voltages, so voltage disturbances must
be controlled to prevent device interruption and latent or
Table 1: Examples of transient sources and magnitude
catastrophic failures.

Sensitive microprocessors are prevelant today in a wide

Characteristics of Transient Voltage Spikes
range of devices. Everything from home appliances, such
Transient voltage spikes generally exhibit a “double as dishwashers, to industrial controls and even toys use
exponential” wave, as shown below for lightning and ESD. microprocessors to improve functionality and efficiency.

Most vehicles now also employ multiple electronic systems

lpp
to control the engine, climate, braking and, in some cases,
lpp/2 steering, traction and safety systems.

Many of the sub- or supporting components (such as electric

motors or accessories) within appliances and automobiles
t1 present transient threats to the entire system.
t
t2
Careful circuit design should not only factor environmental
scenarios but also the potential effects of these related
Figure 1: Lightning Transient Waveform components. Table 2 below shows the vulnerability of various
component technologies.

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 Outdoor LED Lighting
Application Note:
Transient Voltage Suppressors
(TVS Diode) Applications Overview

Device Type Vulnerability (volts) In a cloud-to-ground strike (as

PERCENT OF PEAK VALUE

100
VMOS 30-1800 shown at right) the transient-
90
MOSFET 100-200 generating effect is far greater.
GaAsFET 100-300 This diagram shows a typical
50

EPROM 100 current waveform for induced

JFET 140-7000 lightning disturbances. 10

CMOS 250-3000 O1 t TIME

t1
Schottky Diodes 300-2500 t2
Bipolar Transistors 380-7000
SCR 680-1000
Inductive Load Switchinge

TVS Diode Transient Voltage Scenarios The switching of inductive loads generates high energy
transients which increase in magnitude with increasingly heavy
loads. When the inductive load is switched off, the collapsing
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)e magnetic field is converted into electrical energy which takes
the form of a double exponential transient. Depending on
Electrostatic discharge is characterized by very fast rise times
the source, these transients can be as large as hundreds
and very high peak voltages and currents. This energy is
of volts and hundreds of Amps, with duration times of 400
the result of an imbalance of positive and negative charges
milliseconds.
between objects.
ESD that is generated by everyday activities can far surpass Typical sources of inductive transients include:
the vulnerability threshold of standard semiconductor
• Generator • Motor
technologies. Following are a few examples:
• Relay • Transformer
• Walking across a carpet:
35kV @ RH = 20%;1.5kV @ RH = 65% These examples are common in electrical and electronic
• Walking across a vinyl floor: systems. Because the sizes of the loads vary according to the
12kV @ RH = 20%;250V @ RH = 65% application, the wave shape, duration, peak current and peak
• Worker at a bench: voltage are all variables which exist in real world transients.
6kV @ RH = 20%;100V @ RH = 65% Once these variables can be approximated, a suitable
suppressor technology can be selected.
• Vinyl envelopes:
7kV @ RH = 20%;600V @ RH = 65% The diagram at right V T
• Poly bag picked up from desk: shows a transient T1
20kV @ RH = 20%;1.2kV @ RH = 65% which is the result of 90%
stored energy within
Lightning Induced Transientse the alternator of an VS

automobile charging
Even though a direct strike is clearly destructive, transients system. 10%

induced by lightning are not the result of a direct strike. t

VB V = 25V to 125V
T1 = 5ms to 10ms
A similar transient can S
VB = 14V R = 0.5Ω to 4Ω
When a lightning strike occurs, the event creates a magnetic also be caused by other T= 40ms to 400ms
field which can induce DC motors in a vehicle.
transients of large magnitude in For example, DC motors power amenities such as power locks,
nearby electrical cables. seats and windows. These various applications of a DC motor
can produce transients that are just as harmful to the sensitive
A cloud-to-cloud strike will
electronic components as transients created in the external
effect not only overhead cables,
environment.
but also buried cables. Even a
strike 1 mile distant (1.6km) can
generate 70 volts in electrical
cables.

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 Outdoor LED Lighting
Application Note:
Transient Voltage Suppressors
(TVS Diode) Applications Overview

TVS Diode Device Typical Applications

DC Supply Protection DC Load Protection
DC Supply
DC SupplyProtectionProtection DC Load Protection
DC Load Protection
DC Supply Protection
DC
DC Load Supply
Protection
Circuit
Breaker
Circuit
Breaker
Protection DC Load Protection
R R
+ +
Options Options
Circuit
Circuit
Breaker
Breaker R + Options
Rectifier TVS
Rectifier
R
+ Options AC input AC input Network Network
To
TVSLoad To Load
DC input DC input TVS Load Load AC
Rectifier TVS Rectifier
AC input TVS To Load AC input TVS To Load
Network DC input NetworkTVS Load
DC input TVS Load

EMI Limiting
EMI Limiting A.C. Supply
A.C. Supply Protection
Protection
AC Supply Protection
A.C.
+ Supply Protection
+EMI Limiting
EMI Limiting
Elector-Magnetic Interference
A.C. Supply Protection
Limiting

+
+ DC output DC output
TVS TVS DC output
TVS TVS
DC Input DC Input DC output
LoadTVS Load
TVS DC Input TVS
TVS
DC Input
Load Load
- - DC motor DC motor
- DC motor
- DC motor
Operational
Operational Amplifier
Amplifier
Operational Amplifier
Operational
Operational Amplifier Protection Amplifier
RL
- -
RL
- OR -
- - RL
+I
C
+IC
RL
- OR - + + -
- - - OR -
- + IC - OR -
R- I
+
TVS
+TVS C
+ TVS TVS
TVS
(A) TVS (A)TVS (B) (B) TVS

(A)
(B) (A) (B)

Combined MOV Varistor and TVS Diode Protection Scenarios

MOV + TVS Combination: MOV + Choke + TVS Combination:

24VDC Choke
Inductor

MOV TVS MOV Capacitor TVS

GND Choke

MOV Varistor TVS Diode

High Energy Low Clamping MOV Varistor TVS Diode
Withstand Voltage V33ZA70PX SMBJ28A/SMBJ30A
Special low voltage SMCJ28A/SMCJ30A
20mm diameter MOV
3KA@8/20µs (1 time)

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Application Note:
Transient Voltage Suppressors
(TVS Diode) Applications Overview

Telecom DC/DC Protection Telecom DC/DC Protection Circuit

Nano Fuse
Power Fuse 461 Series
48VDC
30A - 50A
TVS Diode
SMCJ or
AK3 Series
LVSP
Fuse
AC 220V AC/DC DC/DC
AK6
TVS
Diode

For 48vdc Lightning Protection:

TVS Diode: AK6-66CL For 5vdc Lightning Protection:
Lightning Fuse: LVSP15-R Fuse: 461 Series
Power fuse: TLS035L/456020 TVS:AK3-7.5CL, 5.0SMDJ

Circuit Protection of 24VDC with high surge capability

Circuit Protection of 24VDC with High Surge Capatbility

Primary
Protection:
AK10-030
TVS Diode Fuse
TVS for PWM
SMDJ28A
(Pulse Width Modulate
TVS Diode

0451001 driver protection

Outside World

Cx Cx
400VDC
Fuse
TVS Secondary
0451001 CM Choke NM Choke

Cy
PWM

Shield Ground

TVS for PWM (Pulse Width Modulated)

Power
Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) Driver Protection Over
Power Over EthernetEthernet
(PoE) ProtectionPoE protection
driver protection
400VDC +Vin PSE PWM
Power TVS Diode Driver and
TVS Secondary Sourcing SMBJ58A Feedback
Vout
-Vin Equipment Control

Ethernet and PD controller

PWM

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 Outdoor LED Lighting
Application Note:
Transient Voltage Suppressors
(TVS Diode) Applications Overview

LED Driver
LED Driver Protection

C5
LinkSwitch-PL
BP 1 μF
U1
FP 16 V

CONTROL
LNK458KG
R1 R3
3.3 kΩ 3.3 kΩ C4 R3
D1 R4
1 μF 2.2 Ω
DFL5160-7 3.3 kΩ
16 V 1% RTN
L1 L2 D S
D2
BR1 1.2 mH 1.2 mH
DFLS1200-7
MB6S R5
600 V
L
C3 C1 C2 L3 3 C6 C7 VR1
100 nF 33 nF VR2 68 nF EE10 10 nF 22 μF 1N4756A
85 - 135 RV1 SMAJ350A
VAC 140 VAC 500 V 630 V 250 V 330 μH 50 V 50 V 47 V
1

N F1
35 V, 130 mA
5A

RS485 Interface protection

PI-6539-051411

RS485 Interface Protection

TVS

FUSE CHOKE VDD5V

3 0461.600 GDT 8 1 RXD

SL1421A090 VCC RO
2 7 2 SEN
1 B RE
6 3
A DE
FUSE 5 4 TXD
GND DI

0461.600 TVS
SMBJ6.0CA

RS232 interface protection with high surge requiremen

VDD5V

RS232 Interface Protection with High Surge Requirement

RS232 TX FUSE
1
04611.25ER 6
GDT 2
TVS
7
SMDJ15CA SL1411A075SM
3
TVS TVS GDT 8
SMDJ15CA SMDJ15CA SL1411A075SM 4
9
5
PGND PGND
TVS GDT
SMDJ15CA SL1411A075SM

FUSE
RS232RX

04611.25ER
TVS GDT GDT
SMDJ15CA SL1411A075SM SL1411A075SM

FUSE
RS232GND

04611.25ER
TVS GDT
SMDJ15CA SL1411A075SM

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 Outdoor LED Lighting
Application Note:
Transient Voltage Suppressors
(TVS Diode) Applications Overview

Inverter
Inverter / VFD protection
/ VFD protection inProtection
in IGBT Module IGBT Module
TVS Diode AK3-430

L1
L2 Motor
L3

IGBT Gate Protection

IGBT Gate protection

IGBT
Rg

TVS Diode
SMBJ16CA
Rge

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