New Industry Products

New TVS Diode Array Offers Greater Protection from Surges and ESD

January 12, 2014 by Jeff Shepard

Littelfuse, Inc. has introduced a new series of two-channel, general-purpose TVS Diode Arrays (SPA® Diodes) optimized to help circuit designers protect sensitive equipment from damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical fast transients (EFT), and lightning-induced surges. SM Series TVS Diode Arrays are available in five voltage options: 5V, 12V, 15V, 24V, 36V. All voltage options provide very low dynamic resistance for clamping performance superior to similar components. This ensures optimal performance to protect today’s sensitive electronics.

SM Series TVS Diode Arrays can absorb repetitive ESD strikes above the maximum level specified in international standards without performance degradation and safely dissipate up to 24A of induced surge current. They provide robust protection against electrical threats to datacom ports like RS‑232, RS-485, RS-422, RS-423, etc., which are commonly used in automation equipment, diagnostic devices, security and alarm systems, printers, test equipment, etc.

“Our SM Series TVS Diode Arrays provide two to three times higher ESD withstand capability than similar solutions, which ensures maximum reliability of electronic equipment in the field,” said Chad Marak, Product Line Director for the TVS Diode Array line. “Additionally, our products with their very low dynamic resistances produce some of the lowest clamping voltages in the industry making them the ideal solution for protecting sensitive electronics.”

The SM Series offers greatly reduces clamping voltages, ensuring modern ICs survive industry-defined electrical threats, such as ESD and lightning-induced surges. And it offers 25 percent higher power handling capability than similar solutions to provide more design margin to electrical threats as defined by industry standards. The SM Series is available in SOT23-3 packaging in reels of 3,000 each. Samples are available now.