Varistor Selection for Transient Voltage Suppression in Electronic Circuits

Overview

Varistors are voltage-dependent resistive components used to protect circuits from transient overvoltage conditions.
They provide clamping behavior when the applied voltage exceeds a defined threshold, limiting surge energy and protecting downstream components.

Device Types

• Dipped varistors for through-hole assembly
• SMD varistors for high density PCB layouts
• Bidirectional voltage suppression characteristics

Protection Mechanism

Under normal operating voltage, varistors exhibit high resistance.
During transient events such as surge or electrostatic discharge, their resistance decreases rapidly, diverting surge current and reducing peak voltage across sensitive circuitry.

Applications

• Power supply input protection
• Industrial control systems
• Consumer electronic devices
• Communication interfaces

Design Considerations

• Select varistor voltage above normal operating voltage
• Verify clamping capability for expected surge levels
• Choose package type based on PCB density and assembly method
• Place the device close to the entry point of transient sources

Datasheet Reference

For electrical characteristics and dimensional data, refer to the TSV and TSVC series datasheets.
TSV Dipped Varistor Datasheet
TSVC SMD Varistor Datasheet

Contact

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