Transient Voltage Suppressor Failure Analysis

Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors protect against transient voltage spikes that normally occur in less than one nanosecond (.000000001 second). The most common and inexpensive utilize one or more MOVs (Metal-Oxide Varistor). The effect of the MOV is to clamp the maximum voltage value at a specified level above the peak of the rated RMS voltage. The clamping voltage will increase in a non-linear fashion with an increase in peak surge amperes.

Success Stories

Fairchild Transient Voltage Suppressor SMBJ5VOCA

Fairchild Transient Voltage Suppressor SMBJ5VOCA

Gideon Analytical Laboratories received two Fairchild transient voltage suppressors (TVS) SMBJ5V0CA. Both diodes were identified as having failed.Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS’s) are devices used to protect vulnerable circuits from electrical overstress such as that caused by electrostatic discharge, inductive load switching, and induced lightning. Within the TVS, damaging voltage spikes are limited by clamping or avalanche action of a rugged silicon pn junction which reduces the amplitude of the transient to a nondestructive level.