TVS diodes
TVS diodes, or Transient Voltage Suppressors, are specialized semiconductor devices designed to protect electronic circuits from voltage spikes. These spikes can occur due to lightning strikes, power surges, or electrostatic discharge, potentially damaging sensitive components. TVS diodes work by clamping the voltage to a safe level, allowing excess energy to be diverted away from the protected circuit.
When a voltage surge occurs, the TVS diode quickly becomes conductive, shunting the excess voltage to ground. This rapid response helps to ensure that the voltage across the protected device remains within safe limits. TVS diodes are commonly used in various applications, including telecommunications, automotive electronics, and consumer electronics.