A transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diode is an electronic component used to protect sensitive electronics from voltage spikes induced on connected wires.
A transient-voltage-suppression diode may be either unidirectional or bidirectional. A unidirectional device operates as a rectifier in the forward direction like any other avalanche diodes, but is made and tested to handle very large peak currents. The popular 1.5KE series allows 1500 W of peak power, for a short time.
A bidirectional transient-voltage-suppression diode can be represented by two mutually opposing avalanche diodes in series with one another and connected in parallel with the circuit to be protected. While this representation is schematically accurate, physically the devices are now manufactured as a single component.
Makes Available:-
| Type | Surge capability (typical) | Lifetime - number of surges | Response time | Shunt capacitance | Leakage current (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TVS diode | 1 A (small surface-mount device) to 15 kA (large through-hole device) | ? | ≈ 1 ps (limited by pin lengths) | < 1 pF (small surface-mount device) to > 10 nF (large through-hole device) | 1 µA |
| Metal-oxide Varistor (MOV) | Up to 70 kA | @ 100 A, 8x20 µs pulse shape: 1,000 surges | ≈ 1 ns | Typically 100-1,000 pF +++ | 10 µA |
| Avalanche diode , Zener diode | 50 A | @ 50 A, 8x20 µs pulse shape: infinite | < 1 µs | 50 pF | 10 µA |
| Gas discharge tube | > 20 kA | @ 20 kA, 8x20 µs pulse width: > 20 surges | < 5 µs | < 1 pF | < 1 nA |