Eco-Friendly SMD Varistors

The SMD multilayer varistors offer overvoltage protection for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications. Find out more!

TDK Corporation has introduced five new SMD multilayer varistors (MLVs) in its X-series. These components are designed for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications, combining reduced carbon (CO2) footprint, cost efficiency, and reliability.

Typical applications of the varistors include transient overvoltage protection for automotive battery lines, engine management systems, electronic control units (ECUs), and systems like airbags, ABS, and ESP. Engineers designing circuits with overvoltage protection needs can benefit from their leakage current, surge current handling, and compliance with automotive standards. Additionally, automotive aftermarket suppliers can use them to protect vehicle systems. 

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The initial five parts in the X-series are automotive qualified, identifiable by a “1” following the “X” in their part numbers. They protect vehicle systems like engine management, ECUs, airbags, ABS, and ESP from transient overvoltages caused by events such as load dumps or jump starts. 

The MLVs are available in four EIA package sizes: 0603, 0805, 1206, and 1210. They support RMS operating voltages of 14 V, 25 V, and 30 V, with response times to voltage transients ranging from 10 ps to 500 ps. Surge current handling ranges from 5 A to 400 A for 8/20 µs pulses, and leakage current is limited to 1 µA to 25 µA at the rated DC voltage and room temperature. The operating temperature range is -55 °C to +150 °C, without derating at higher temperatures.

The main features and benefits include reliable ESD protection up to 30 kV, by IEC 61000-4-2. The components comply with automotive pulse standards, including ISO 7637-2 and ISO 16750-2. They also provide protection against load-dump and jump-start events.

Other key advantages are low leakage current and AEC-Q200 qualification for the X1-Series. The components do not experience temperature derating up to +125 °C, with the X1-series able to operate up to +150 °C. Additionally, they offer high lifetime robustness and maintain a stable protection level throughout their use.

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