Overvoltage Protection
Diodes, TVS, diode arrays, relays, surge protectors, SIDACtor® protection thyristors, and varistors provide overvoltage protection to PCBs, LED arrays, and other delicate electronics. The devices also help save power by switching current efficiently and limiting current leakage. Rely on Littelfuse products when designing, building, and servicing electrical systems.
Diodes - Overvoltage Protection
Diodes can supplement the circuit protection work done by fuses. When used for overvoltage protection, diodes with high reverse voltage ratings and low ampere ratings ensure current flows just one way through a circuit. This prevents circuit overload and overheating. Littelfuse makes several of these essential safety devices.
Automotive Diodes Overvoltage Protection-MINI/ATO Diodes
- Maximum power ratings of 0.25 W
- Available with peak inverse voltages of 400 V or 1 kV
- Operate at temperatures ranging from –40 ℃ to +125 ℃
- Nickel-zinc–plated cold rolled steel terminals
- Thermoplastic housings
- RoHS compliant
- Green housing helps identify MINI automotive diode with 1 kV peak reverse voltage
- Cathode connector rotated at 90° helps identify ATO automotive diode
Gas Discharge Tubes
Reduce the risk of damage from short-lived and unpredictable voltage surges by installing durable gas discharge tubes (GDTs). The plasma-filled overvoltage protection devices absorb large amounts of current and redirect it to ground without producing frequencies that could incapacitate nearby components. These characteristics make GDTs essential surge protective devices for outdoor telecom equipment prone to lightning strikes. Littelfuse offers a broad selection of leaded and surface mounted GDTs for many applications. Each boasts a minimal footprint and low weight, and our squared GDT is among the smallest available.
Gas Plasma Switches
- Two electrodes
- Available with spark voltage ratings in the ranges of 200–255 V, 350–460 V, 528–627 V, and 704–896 V
- Maximum load current of 50 mA
- Available with switching frequencies of 25 Hz or 200 Hz
- Capacitance of 1.4 pF
- Certified lead-free and RoHS compliant
- Ceramic chamber for plasma ensures durability
- Highly resistant to moisture (MSL 1)
- High switching speed optimizes performance of ignition transformers
- Extremely high insulation resistance of 100 MΩ
High Voltage
- Available with a wide range of voltage ratings, from 75 V dc to 4 kV dc
- Capacitance > 1 pF
- UL Recognized
- RoHS compliant
- Suitable for use in sensitive equipment and high-frequency applications
- Available in axial leaded, radial leaded, and surface mount configurations
- Available with fail-short mechanisms
- Ceramic–metal body ensures durability
Low-to-Medium Surge
- Available with a wide range of voltage ratings, from 72 V to 4 kV
- Very fast-acting (e.g., surge rating of 2 kA 2/20 µs)
- Available with low or ultra-low capacitance
- Low insertion loss
- Meet UL standards
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Ideal for overvoltage protection in equipment operating in the GHz range
- Includes a crowbar device with low arc voltage
- Available with optional fail-short mechanisms
- Extremely robust and capable of withstanding multiple lightning strikes.
- Compatible with automated and high-volume PCB manufacturing
Medium-to-High Surge
- Fast-acting (e.g., surge rating of 12 kA at 8/20 µs)
- Available with low or ultra-low capacitance
- Low insertion loss
- Meet UL standards
- Certified lead-free and RoHS compliant
- Ideal for overvoltage protection in equipment operating in the GHz range
- Includes a crowbar device with low arc voltage
- Available with optional fail-short mechanisms
- Available with axial leads
- Extremely robust and capable of withstanding multiple lightning strikes without declining in performance
- Compatible with automated and high-volume PCB manufacturing
Squared
- Surge capacities of between 1 kA 8/20 µs to 5 kA 8/20 µs
- Wide ranges of operating voltages (e.g., 75 V dc to 600 V dc)
- Very low to low capacitance (e.g., ≥ 0.5 pF, ≥ 1 pF)
- Include crowbar devices with low arc voltages
- Small footprints (e.g., 3.2×1.6×1.6 mm)
- UL Recognized
- Meet IEC and ITU standards
- Certified lead-free and RoHS compliant
- Capacitance does not vary with voltage, meaning responses to fast transient overvoltage events will not introduce noise across data or voice circuits
- Available with optional fail-short mechanisms to remove blown GDTs from circuits
- Available with a variety of mounting leads
- Compatible with high-volume and automated PCB production processes
Very High Surge
- Wide range of current ratings, from 100 mA to 20 A
- High interrupting ratings (e.g., 10 kA at 600 V ac)
- Meet or exceed UL and IEC standards
- Certified lead-free and RoHS compliant
- Can connect to cables or mount on printed circuit boards
- Fit easily into fuse blocks and panels
- Fast-acting and time-delayed fuses available
- Can supplement the operation of circuit breakers
Polymer ESD Suppressors
Polymer ESD suppressors protect electronics and people against harmful electrostatic discharges and other transient voltage surges such as lightning strikes. Littelfuse makes bidirectional ESD protection products for cables, data ports, USBs, cell phones, LCD and plasma screens, and antenna systems. We also produce XTREME-GUARD® ESD Protectors for automotive overvoltage protection applications. Durable enough to withstand thousands of shocks each hour for years on end, ESD suppressors ensure safe, reliable performance by electronic devices of all types.
PESD Protection Device
- Available with operating voltages of 14 V or 24 V
- Typical capacitance ratings of 25 pF
- Typical response times below 1 ns
- Typical withstand capabilities of 8 kV by contact and 15 kV through the air
- Operate in a range of temperatures from –55 ℃ to +125 ℃
- ELV compliant
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Help equipment pass IEC 61000-4-2 level 4 testing
- Low leakage current ratings
- Low clamping voltages
- Compatible with reflow soldering processes
PulseGuard ESD Suppressors
- Rated at 12 V dc and 24 V dc
- Repetitive surge capabilities up to 8 kV from contact and up to 15 kV through the air
- Available with typical clamping voltage ratings from 40 V to 300 V
- Ultra-low typical capacitance ratings (e.g., 50 pF, 70 pF)
- Typical response times below 1 ns
- Meet or exceed IEC 6100-4-2 and MIL-STD-883E standards
- Certified lead-free and RoHS compliant
- Low leakage current ratings
- International standard packages
- Compatible with pick-and-place board assembly processes
- Compatible with reflow and wave soldering processes
Xtreme Guard
- Available with maximum operating voltages of 24 V dc or 32 V dc
- Typical clamping voltages of 40 V dc
- Ultra-low capacitance ratings (e.g., 0.04 pF, 0.09 pF)
- Typical response times below 1 ns
- Typical withstand capabilities of 30 kV by contact and 30 kV through the air
- Operate in temperatures ranging from –65 ℃ to +125 ℃
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Exceed IEC 61000-4-2 standards
- Ultra-low current leakage ensures minimal power loss
- Compatible with reflow soldering processes
- Compatible with pick-and-place PCB assembly processes
SIDACtor® Protection Thyristors
SIDACtor protection thyristors prevent damage from transient voltage surges due to lightning strikes and ac power crosses. The surge protective devices also protect people and electronics from electrostatic discharges generated by human–machine interactions. These specialized silicon diodes for alternating current (SIDACs) join LED protectors as circuit protection products offered by Littelfuse. Consult our catalog to find a solution for your broadband, baseband, cellular, DS1, LCAS, SLIC, voice, or lighting application.
Automotive SIDACtor® Protection Thyristors
- Available with a broad range of dynamic resistance voltage (VDRM) ratings, from 6 V to 275 V
- Available with a broad range of switching voltage (Vs T-R) ratings from 25 V to 350 V
- Comply with GR-1089, IEC 6100-4-5 2nd ed., ITU K.20/21, TIA-968, YD/T 95, YD/T 993, and YD/T standards
- UL 497B Recognized as an isolated loop circuit protector
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Surge capabilities do not degrade due to multiple surges within ratings
- Low capacitance and low dv/dt
- Fail as short circuits when surged in excess of capacities
- International standard DO-214AA package
Connectivity SIDACtor® Protection Thyristors
- Wide range of Vdrm T-R ratings up to 600 V
- Wide range of Vs T-R ratings up to 700 V
- Off-state capacitance ratings generally below 50 pF
- Bidirectional
- Meet international standards, including TIA-968, ITU K.20/21, GR 1089 Inter-building, GR 1089 Intra-building, IEC 61000-4-5, and YD/T 1082
- Lead-free and RoHS compliant
- Small footprints
- Voltage surges withing rated capacity will not degrade a device’s performance
- Most version fail as short circuits when voltage surges exceed the device’s capacity
High Exposure Surge Protection
- Vdrm T-R from 5 V to 550 V
- Vs T-R from 25 V to 700 V
- Is(max) of 800 mA
- Hold currents of 50 mA or 150 mA
- Maximum off-state capacitance ratings below 650 pF
- Lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Low voltage overshoot
- Low on-state voltage
- Fail to short circuit
- High holding current versions available
- Performance does not degrade over time or with use
PLED-LED Lighting
- Available with a very wide range of maximum repetitive peak forward voltage ratings, from 6 VDRM to 340 VDRM
- Available with maximum breakdown voltage ratings from 16 V to 430 V
- Low hold current ratings from 5 mA to 30 mA
- Responses times of approximately 100 ns
- Certified halogen-free and RoHS compliant
- Automatically reset after the power cycle
- Maximum heat dissipation makes PLEDs good choices for densely packed printed circuit boards
- Subminiature international standard packages
- Smaller than silicon-controlled rectifiers
- Less prone to failure due to current overload than Zenner diodes
- Compatible with reflow soldering processes
Surge Protective Modules & Devices
Protecting electrical equipment from transient voltage surges prevents outages and reduces maintenance. Littelfuse offers several surge protectors to limit damage from lightning and overvoltage that may occur when equipment is switched on. Our varistor modules provide overvoltage protection for outdoor equipment and LEDs. Our globally compliant Type 2 SPDs plug in to generators, motors, and telecom and computer equipment. Consult our Surge Protection Devices Catalog to find your best solution.
DIN Rail
DIN Rail surge protective devices (SPDs) are engineered to snap or bolt easily onto nonconducting rails or supports inside equipment cases. Like all Littelfuse SPDs, DIN Rail devices safeguard electronic components against damage from transient voltage surges, especially those occurring during equipment startup and shutdown. Installing SPDs brings equipment into compliance with electrical codes, limits downtime, and reduces maintenance costs.
DIN Rail-AC Voltage
- Input voltages from 60 V to 600 V
- Voltage protection ratings from 330 V to 2.5 kV
- Voltage protection levels up to 4 kV
- SCCRs of up to 200 kA
- SPST output circuitry
- No additional overcurrent protection devices are required when 3-phase DIN rail-mounted Type 2 SPDs are used in UL applications
- Thermal protection for internal circuits
- 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-pole versions available
- Capable of clamping
- Withstand high-energy transients
DIN Rail-Photovoltaic
- Thermal protection
- IP20 protection rating
- Pluggable modules
- DIN-rail mounting
- Solar applications
- No additional overcurrent protection devices required
LED Lighting Surge Protective Devices
- Voltage operating ratings of 120 V ac to 480 V ac
- Maximum lightning surge current discharge capacities of 10 kA 8/20 µs or 20kA 8/20 µs
- Waterproof and dustproof ratings of IP66
- Meet or exceed UL, EN, US DOE, ANSI, and IEEE standards for lightning protection
- Bidirectional polarity
- RoHS compliant
- Include or can be wired to indicator lights that alert maintenance personnel that varistors have failed and require replacement
- Double insulation on cables keeps modules in circuit following lightning strikes
- Can be configured for use in series or in parallel
- Sealed to permit use in areas with high concentrations of dust and high likelihoods of heavy rain
Panel Mount
- Input voltages from 60 V to 600 V
- Maximum surge current ratings of 50 kA and 130 kA
- Nominal current ratings of 20 kA
- SCCRs of 200 kA
- Operate at temperatures up to +85 °C
- UL Listed
- REACH and RoHS compliant
- Direct protection for line to neutral (L-N), line-to-ground (L-G), and neutral to ground (N-G) circuits
- Constructed from thermally protected stacked high-energy metal oxide varistors (MOVs)
- Available with audible alarms
- LED status indicators
- Capable of clamping
- Withstand high-energy transients
- Compact designs
TVS Diode Arrays
TVS diode arrays protect electronics from damage due to transient voltage surges and electrostatic discharges (ESDs). Littelfuse offers a variety of these surge protective devices (SPDs) in SOIC, DIP, flipchip, and other designs. Our lightning SPDs direct massive voltage surges from lightning strikes on outdoor equipment to ground. Our ultra-low capacitance TVS diodes provide ESD protection to data ports and cables. We also make SPDs specifically for automotive applications. Find your solution in our Circuit Protection Products Selection Guide.
Automotive – TVS Diode Arrays
- Reverse standoff voltage (Vrr) ratings from to 5 V to 76 V
- Power ratings from 200 W to 7 kW
- Peak pulse current ratings (Ipp at 10×1000 µs) from 800 mA to 103 A
- Typical response times under 1 ns
- Plastic bodies with UL 94 flammability ratings of V-0
- Matte tin-plated copper leads
- Meet IEC 61000-4 standards
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- International standard packages
- Unipolar and bipolar versions available
- Low inductance
- Excellent clamping capability
- International standard packages
Connectivity – TVS Diode Arrays
- Standoff voltage ratings from 1.1 V to 58 V
- Reverse leakage current ratings from 0.1 µA to 25 µA
- Lightning immunity up to 40 A at 8/20 µs
- ESD protection ratings up to 30 kV due to contact and through the air
- Meet IEC 6100-4 standards
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- International standard packages
- Unidirectional and bidirectional versions available
- Low capacitance
- Low clamping voltage ratings
General Purpose
- Standoff voltage ratings from 3.3 V to 60 V
- Reverse leakage current ratings from 0.005 µA to 100 µA
- Lightning immunity up to 30 A at 8/20 µs
- ESD protection ratings up to 30 kV due to contact and through the air
- Meet IEC 6100-4 standards
- Certified lead-free and RoHS compliant
- International standard packages
- Unidirectional and bidirectional versions available
- Low capacitance
- Low clamping voltages
- Subminiature international standard packages
Industrial & Medical
Use general purpose, low-capacitance, and ultra-low–capacitance TVS diode arrays to protect personnel, patients, and sensitive electronic equipment in medical and industrial settings. Littelfuse offers more than a hundred types of TVS diode arrays in miniature and subminiature packages. Our transient voltage surge suppressors withstand repeated electrostatic discharges, lightning strikes, and overvoltage events during start up and shut down of up to 30 kV. Each device functions without introducing excess noise into circuits, and several of our TVS diodes arrays also provide EFT and supplemental overcurrent protection.
Low & Ultra-Low Capacitance
- Standoff voltage ratings from 300 mV to 28 V
- Standoff voltage ratings from 300 mV to 28 V
- Lightning immunity up to 4 A at 8/20 µs
- ESD protection ratings up to 30 kV due to contact and through the air
- Meet IEC 6100-4 standards
- Certified lead-free and RoHS compliant
- International standard packages
- Unidirectional and bidirectional versions available
- Halogen-free versions available
- Devices available with one, two, or four channels
- Subminiature international standard packages
TVS Diodes
Transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diodes defend against damage from overvoltage events by responding within picoseconds to shunt current to ground. The classic example of TVS diode use is protecting outdoor telecom equipment from lightning strikes. Littelfuse produces surface mount and leaded diodes and TVS diode arrays for that, as well as TVS diodes for cars, personal electronics, data cables, and household appliances. Consult our Circuit Protection Selection Guide to guide your search for a solution.
Automotive – TVS Diodes
- Low inductance
- Excellent clamping capacity
- Most diodes are AEC-Q101–qualified
- Halogen-free, lead-free, and RoHS compliant
- Typically respond in less than 1 ps
- Provide EFT protection
- Several diodes feature passivated glass chip junctions to minimize current leakage
- Low-profile designs reduce space needed for PCBs and integrated circuits
Avionics & High Reliability
- Vr (Vso) from 5 V to 345 V
- Vbr(max) from 5 V to 423 V
- Power ratings from 400 W to 30 kW
- Ipp from 2.2 A to 606 A (10×1000µs)
- Response times below 1 ps
- Meet IEC 6100-4-2 standards for providing ESD protection of up to 30 KV through the air and 30 kV by contact
- UL94 flammability ratings of V-0
- Lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Custom screening options available for enhanced reliability
- Excellent clamping capabilities
- Space-saving low-profile packages
- Versions available with built-in strain relief
- Some versions fail to short circuit
High Power
- Available with collector–emitter continuous voltage ratings of 1.7 kV dc to 6.5 kV dc
- Available with collector–emitter saturation voltage ratings of 900 V to 3.6 kV
- Available with repetitive peak collector current ratings of 280 A to 6 kA
- Reverse recovery times typically below 1.2 µs
- High temperature tolerance, with devices operating in the range of –40 ℃ to +125 ℃
- Absence of wires and soldering reduces risks for mechanical fatigue to practically zero
- Low inductance from gate and emitter connections prevents short circuits
- International standard packages
Leaded
- Vr (Vso) from 5 V to 512 V
- Vbr(max) from 7.14 V to 660 V
- Power ratings from 400 W to 1.5 kW
- Ipp from 500 mA to 144.8 A (10×1000µs)
- Response times below 1 ps
- Meet IEC 6100-4-2 standards for providing ESD protection of up to 30 KV through the air and 30 kV by contact
- UL94 flammability ratings of V-0
- Lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Custom screening options available for enhanced reliability
- Excellent clamping capabilities
- Space-saving low-profile packages
- Some versions fail to short circuit
Surface Mount
- Vr (V so) from 3.3 V to 553 V
- Vbr(max) from 4.3 V to 682 V
- Power ratings from 200 W to 4 kW
- Ipp from 500 mA to 326 A (10×1000µs)
- Response times below 1 ms
- Meet IEC 6100-4-2 standards for providing ESD protection of up to 30 KV through the air and 30 kV by contact
- UL94 flammability ratings of V-0
- Lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Excellent clamping capabilities
- Low inductance
- Several versions fail to short circuit
- Space-saving low-profile packages
- Versions available with built-in strain relief
Wafer & Bare Die
- Vr (V so) from 3.3 V to 553 V
- Vbr(max) from 4.3 V to 682 V
- Power ratings from 200 W to 4 kW
- Ipp from 500 mA to 326 A (10×1000µs)
- Response times below 1 ms
- Meet IEC 6100-4-2 standards for providing ESD protection of up to 30 KV through the air and 30 kV by contact
- UL94 flammability ratings of V-0
- Lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Excellent clamping capabilities
- Low inductance
- Several versions fail to short circuit
- Space-saving low-profile packages
- Versions available with built-in strain relief
Varistors
Varistors provide transient voltage surge suppression in consumer electronics, household appliances, telecom equipment, and computers. The overvoltage protection devices shield semiconductors and other components from damage due to lightning strikes, and electrostatic discharges. Littelfuse produces metal oxide varistors (MOVs) in surface mount, thermally protected, and radial leaded configurations. In addition to AUMOV®, UltraMOV®, and TMOV® devices, we design specialty varistors to customers’ specifications.
2-Pro Devices
- Available with hold current ratings from 150 mA to 750 mA
- Available with trip current ratings from 300 mA to 1 A
- Available with minimum resistance ratings from 370 m Ω to 6.5 Ω
- Certified halogen-free and RoHS compliant
- Combining PPTCs and MOVs simplifies circuit design, reduces device count, and reduces MOV failures due to overheating
- Use helps equipment comply with UL 60950, IEC 6100-4-4, and IEC 6100-4-2 standards
- Use in telecom equipment facilitates compliance with surge tests defined under TIA-968-A, IEC 60950, ITU-T K.20, and ITU-T K.21
- Designed for wave soldering
Industrial High Energy
- 25–40 KA at 8/20 µs surge capacities
- Available with a wide range of maximum operating voltage ratings, from 102 V dc to 3.5 kV dc
- Available with a wide range of energy absorption (WTM) capabilities, from 40 J to 1.05 J
- Certified lead-free and RoHS compliant
- Custom voltage ratings available
- No derating up to 85 ℃
- Rigid terminals for secure mounting and soldering
- Suitable for paralleling
Multilayer Varistors
- Wide range of voltage ratings (e.g., 3.5 V to 48 V)
- Very low to low capacitance (e.g., 3 pF to 22 pF)
- Inherently bidirectional clamping
- Meet IEC 6100-4-2 standards for electromagnetic compliance
- Automotive devices meet AEC-Q200 standards
- RoHS compliant
- Can be used to protect analog and digital circuits
- Specifically designed to mount on the surface of PCBs
- Compatible with reflow and wave soldering procedures
- Operate in a wider temperature range than do Zenner diodes
- Reduce need for discrete surge protective devices
- Absence of plastic housings translates into smaller footprints and higher UL flammability ratings
Radial Leaded – Varistors
- Available with maximum ac voltage operating ratings from 4 V ac to 1 kV ac
- Available with maximum dc voltage operating ratings from 5 V dc to 825 V dc
- Available with transient energy ratings (Wtm) from 100 mJ to 890 J
- Peak pulse current capabilities up to 22 kA
- UL Recognized in Canada and the United States
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Available with custom voltage ratings
- Inherently hardened against radiation
- Ultra-high coating insulation resistance of at least 1 GΩ
- Available in a range of disk and box sizes from 3 mm to 25 mm
- Compatible with lead-free wave soldering processes
Specialty
- Available with maximum ac voltage operating ratings from 4 V ac to 264 V ac
- Available with maximum dc voltage operating ratings from 5.5 V dc to 369 V dc
- Available with transient energy ratings (Wtm) from 40 mJ to 23 J
- Peak pulse current capabilities up to 1.2 kA
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- No derating until ambient temperatures rise above the upper limits of devices’ nominal operating temperatures
- Available with axial leads or in-line leads
- Subminiature international standard packages
- Compatible with high-volume chip assembly processes
Surface Mount – Monolithic Varistors
- Maximum operating dc voltage ratings from 18 V dc to 900 V dc
- Maximum operating ac voltage ratings from 18.9 V ac to 510 V ac
- Off-state capacitance ratings as low as 45 pF
- RoHS compliant
- Compact, low-profile packages save space on printed circuit boards
- Withstand pulse currents up to 1.2 kA
- No derating at normal operating temperatures (e.g., below +65 ℃)
Thermally Protected
- Available with a wide range of operating voltages, from 75 V ac to 750 V ac
- Available with a wide range of surge current ratings, from 6 kA 8/20 µs to 75 kA 8/20 µs
- UL recognized
- Certified lead-free, halogen-free, and RoHS compliant
- Configured as square, tubular, and radial leaded surface mount SPDs
- Optional leads can connect to indicators that show varistors have reached the end of their life and require replacing
- Facilitate compliance with UL 1449 standard on use of SPDs
- Integration of surge suppressor with thermal cutoff produces less inductance across a PCB than would using discrete components
- Wave solderable






































