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TVS Thyristor Selection Guide and Manufacturers

tv thyristor voltage suppression overvoltage protection circuit protection transient voltage

This guide will help you select the appropriate TVS Thyristor from various manufacturers. It also covers TVS thyristor symbols and characteristics.

What is a TVS Thyristor?

Introduction: Transient overvoltages and surges are common in electrical environments due to power switching, EM radiation, electrostatic discharge, lightning, and more.

A TVS thyristor is an electronic component designed to protect electronic circuits from overvoltage transients induced on wires. TVS stands for “Transient Voltage Suppression.”

Figure 1 shows common TVS thyristor symbols.

TVS Thyristor symbols

The basic functions of a TVS Thyristor device are:

  • Protecting people from hazardous voltages induced by power line contact or lightning.
  • Limiting the maximum voltage seen by equipment.
  • Diverting high transient currents to the ground, away from the equipment.

TVS Thyristor characteristic

The characteristic curve of a TVS Thyristor is shown in Figure 2.

TVS Thyristor Selection Guide

When selecting a TVS Thyristor for a specific application, consider the following specifications:

  • Voltage - Breakover
  • Voltage - OFF state
  • Voltage - ON state
  • Current - Peak Pulse (specified for waveforms like 8/20µs and 10/1000µs)
  • Current - Hold
  • Number of elements
  • Mounting Type: Surface Mount/Through Hole
  • Packaging type

TVS Thyristor Manufacturers

The following table lists some popular TVS Thyristor manufacturers:

TVS Thyristor Manufacturers
Bourns Inc.
Littlefuse Inc.
Diodes Incorporated
IXYS
Micro Commercial Co.
ST Microelectronics
ON Semiconductor
Microsemi Corporation
PROTEK DEVICES
Socay Electronics Corp., Ltd.