transient voltage suppressor diode (overvoltage) (TVS)
Suppressor diodes, also called transient voltage suppressor diodes (TVS), transient absorption zener diodes (TAZ), transil diodes, or breakover diodes( BOD), are surge arresters. They have similar characteristics to Zener diodes, but their breakdown voltages are much higher: between a few volts and over one kilovolt (kV). In addition, they can dissipate power in the kilowatt range for short periods. Their peak power, calculated from the pulse current and the clamping voltage, can reach values of up to 50 kilowatts (kW).
Pulse power dissipation is typically specified as a current pulse with a rise time of 10 µs and a fall time of 1,000 µs, decaying exponentially to half the peak value. During the interruption times, the surge protection diode must be able to dissipate this leakage. Interruption time values for normal TVS diodes are about 50 µs, while power TVS reach interruption values of more than 1 ms.
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Suppressor diodes are extremely low capacitance, with capacitances ranging from a few picofarads (pF) to a few nanofarads (nF), depending on the breakdown voltage. Because of the low capacitances, suppressor diodes are characterized by short response times in the picosecond range and are particularly suitable for overvoltage protection of sensitive MOS circuits and low-voltage ICs against electrostatic discharges( ESD), load changes and against voltage spikes from inductive components.
Suppressor diodes are available in unidirectional and bidirectional versions. In the unidirectional version, the characteristic curve corresponds to that of the Zener diode; in the bidirectional version, the suppressor diode operates in the blocking range in both directions. In terms of design, they are available for mounting in through-hole technology( THT) and in SMT technology.