Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when electrons redistribute on a material's surface, creating an electric field and potential for electrical shock. While harmless to humans, ESD can damage microelectronic devices. Transient voltage suppressor (TVS) circuits use diodes to protect data interfaces from ESD, lightning, and other voltage transients. TVS devices protect common ports like USB and HDMI. Choosing the right ESD protection is critical and involves factors like response time, operating voltage, leakage current, and capacitance. TVS diodes are engineered to safely discharge high ESD currents without impacting signal integrity or degrading over time.

1. ProfessorAjals CLASSES – 890 730 5642
ProfessorAjals CLASSES – 890 730 5642
2. What is ESD PROTECTION DEVICE ?
Electrostatic discharge is a natural phenomenon that occurs when electrons on the
surface of materials are redistributed – either due to induction or triboelectric charging
– in such a way to create a charge imbalance and thus an electric field. When a static
electric field becomes sufficiently strong, the charges will seek equilibrium across the
potential difference and a violent electrical zap known as an electrostatic discharge can
occur. These common electrical shocks are benign to humans, but they can have
disastrous consequences for sub-micron microelectronic-based devices.
ESD-vulnerable Interfaces

2. ProfessorAjals CLASSES – 890 730 5642
ProfessorAjals CLASSES – 890 730 5642
transient voltage suppressor (TVS) circuit protection diodes safeguard data
interfaces against damage or latch-up caused by ESD, lightning and other
destructive voltage transients. Our protection devices feature low clamping
voltage, low capacitance and low leakage current.
TVS devices protect all of the key data ports and ESD-sensitive touchpoints
commonly found on electronic systems. Here are just a few examples of the
many data ports that our ESD protection portfolio safeguards.
How to Choose an ESD Protection Device ?
Choosing the right circuit protection device is critical and often a significant task. Not
only must the ESD protection be rated appropriately for the transient conditions, but
the electrical parameters of the ESD device must also not introduce unwanted signal
integrity issues on a data interface. Good ESD protection typically features extremely
fast response time, low operating and clamping voltage, low leakage current, and low
capacitance. TVS diodes are highly engineered to be robust, arrest high peak ESD
currents and perform consistently throughout the lifetime of the component.

3. ProfessorAjals CLASSES – 890 730 5642
ProfessorAjals CLASSES – 890 730 5642
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) protective devices and countermeasure
components
T he main function of an ESD protective device is to enable ESD that enters a device to escape to ground. If there is no prote ctive
device, ESD which has a voltage of several thousand volts will be applied directly to the internal ICs.
When an ESD protective device is installed between an external interface and an IC in order to protect the IC, the input to t he IC
will be grounded via the ESD protective device, enabling ESD to escape to ground. U nder the normal drive voltage (several volts),
the IC is isolated from ground, so data communication is not impaired. T he ability to ground an IC circuit when several thous and
volts are applied to it, and also to isolate it from ground when several vo lts are applied to it, is a necessary function of an ESD
protective device.