The difference between TVS transient suppression diode and ESD diode

The difference between TVS transient suppression diode and ESD diode

Transient-voltage-suppression diode, also known as TVS diode, is an electronic part for protection, which can protect electrical equipment from being damaged by voltage spikes introduced by wires. A widely used new type of high-efficiency circuit protection device with extremely fast response time (sub nanosecond level). When its two ends are subjected to instantaneous high-energy shocks, TVS can change the impedance value between the two ends from high impedance to low impedance at a very high speed, in order to discharge and absorb an instantaneous large current, clamp the voltage at both ends to a predetermined value, and protect subsequent circuit components from the impact of transient high-voltage spikes.

ESD refers to the charge transfer caused by objects with different electrostatic potentials approaching or directly contacting each other. ESD is a discipline formed since the mid-20th century to study the generation, harm, and protection of static electricity. Therefore, it is customary internationally to collectively refer to equipment used for static electricity protection as ESD (i.e. TVS diodes also belong to ESD). So what is the difference between TVS transient suppression diode and ESD diodes?

The actual working principle of ESD diode and TVS diode is the same, but they are completely different in terms of power, application situation, packaging form, and other aspects. Moreover, ESD is mainly used to prevent static electricity, which requires a low capacitance value; The TVS capacitance value is relatively high.

1. ESD diodes should be board level anti-static, but anti-static requires a low capacitance value, usually between 1-3.5PF, which is best;

2. TVS diodes are used for primary/secondary protection, but their capacitance value is relatively high;

3. ESD diodes refer to their anti-static level LEVEL, and high-speed USB and I/O attach great importance to the C (load capacitance) of ESD diodes;

4. TVS diodes focus on power and packaging form;

5. TVS transistor is a transient suppression diode with fast response ability and strong surge absorption ability, mainly used at the power input end to absorb surges;

6. ESD is an electrostatic discharge diode mainly used for electrostatic protection on key pins.

That's all for the difference between TVS transient suppression diode and ESD diodes, which will be continuously updated in the future. Thank you!