Once aware of the danger, design engineers can easily help reduce the risk of chip damage caused by user-induced overvoltage transients, such as ESD. By Phillip Havens, Principal Engineer, Littelfuse, and Chad Marak, Director of Technical Marketing and TVS Diode Array Products, Semiconductor Business, Littelfuse.

AEC-Q101 qualified to ensure maximum reliability in the harshest environments, the SM712 series TVS Diode Array (SPA Diodes) has been introduced by Littelfuse. It protects RS-485 applications with asymmetrical working voltages (from -7 to +12V) from damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical fast transients (EFT), and lightning-induced surges.

Littelfuse has introduced the SM24CANA Series 200W TVS Diode Array (SPA Diodes), for protecting the automotive Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus from damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical fast transient (EFT), and other overvoltage transients. It absorbs repetitive ESD strikes above the maximum level specified in the IEC61000-4-2 international standard without performance degradation and safely dissipates 3A of surge current wit...

The SD and SD-C Series 450W, discrete, unidirectional and bidirectional TVS Diodes signals an expansion of Littlefuse's line of TVS Diode Arrays (SPA Diodes). Designed to protect against destructive ESD and lightning-induced surge currents, these fast-acting TVS Diodes are designed to replace MLVs in low speed and DC applications. The devices are able to provide this protection because they can safely absorb repetitive ESD str...

Optimised to protect sensitive equipment from damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical fast transients (EFT), and lightning-induced surges, Littelfuse have introduced the SM series of two-channel TVS diode arrays. The devices offer robust protection against electrical threats to datacom ports (such as RS 232, RS-485, RS-422, RS-423) which are commonly used in automation equipment, diagnostic devices, security and alarm systems, pri...

Following 29 years with the company, Littelfuse has announced that David Heinzmann has been appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Retaining his responsibility for the global operations of Littelfuse, in his new role as COO, Heinzmann will have all of the Littelfuse business unit Vice Presidents reporting directly to him.

Expanding the company’s portfolio of PLED Open LED protection devices, Littelfuse annonuce the release of the PLEDxUx unidirectional series open LED protector. The series is suited for applications including street, subway, and tunnel lights, aircraft/runway lights, outdoor signage and headlights.

Two new packaging options for Littlefuse's SP3012 Series TVS Diode Array line has been announced. Offering board designers more options and greater layout flexibility, the SP3012-03UTG (uDFN-6) and SP3012-04HTG (SOT23-6) devices also claim to offer up to 66% greater clamping performance than other industry options. This feature ensures greater chipset reliability.

Protecting sensitive electronic equipment from voltage transients, Littlefuse's Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) Diodes are now being offerered to users with the ability to customize the upscreening and sorting process flows. The components have been screened and sorted for use in DC line protection in aviation electronics (avionics) and other applications that demand high reliability.

Littelfuse has introduced an ultra-low capacitance protection thyristor, the SDP Series SIDACtor Protection Thyristor in the SOT23-6 package, providing robust overvoltage protection for broadband/xDSL telecommunications equipment with minimal effects on connection speed and reach. Patent-pending silicon crowbar technology allows for 45 percent lower capacitance than clamping devices like transient voltage suppressor diodes.

Why design engineers need to think about circuit protection as part of the design process, rather than as an afterthought. Bharat Shenoy, Director of Technical Marketing, Electronics Business Unit, Littlefuse, explores this view in this article from ES Design magazine.

Littelfuse unveil that it has developed in cooperation with leading photovoltaic equipment providers a Series of 1500 VDC photovoltaic fuses designed to protect the next generation of solar installations. The SPXV and SPXN Series of fuses meet the tough requirements of 30kA interrupt ratings, 1500 VDC protection and global standards critical to solar equipment manufacturers.

Littelfuse launches SRDA3.3 Series TVS Diode Array. The SRDA3.3 Series integrates low-capacitance steering diodes with an additional zener diode to protect data lines against electrostatic discharge and high surge events. The SRDA3.3 Series devices provide 40 percent greater protection without performance degradation than other available solutions.

Littelfuse has introduced the SP3051-04HTG Transient Voltage Suppression Diode Array (SPA Diode), the latest addition to the lightning surge devices in the company’s TVS Diode Array line. It integrates low capacitance rail-to-rail diodes with an additional zener diode to protect I/O pins against ESD and lightning-induced surge events.

Littelfuse announced the SB6100 Series Industrial Shock-Block, the first and only ground fault circuit interrupter device to meet UL 943C Class C and Class D requirements. Until now, GFCI devices have not been practical in industrial settings. Thanks to higher trip level standards and advanced filtering technology, industrial workers can finally be protected against dangerous electric shock.

Littelfuse has introduced the Kxxx1GL Series Multipulse SIDAC, a thyristor power control device designed for use in 220-240V AC line installations. The thyristor, when coupled with a capacitor and transformer, generates the multiple high voltage pulses required to ignite metal-halide lamps.

Littelfuse today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hamlin, Inc. from Key Safety Systems for $145 million in a cash transaction. Hamlin is dedicated to providing sensor technology to the automotive industry as well as the electronics and industrial markets.

Littelfuse has introduced the SR05 Series TVS Diode Array – SPA Diodes, designed to protect telecommunication and industrial equipment against electrostatic discharge and lightning-induced surge events.

Littelfuse has introduced the SRDA05 Series of TVS SPA Diode Arrays. The SRDA05 Series is designed to protect telecommunications data lines against electrostatic discharge (ESD) and high surge events, providing a 20 percent higher power and surge handling capability than competitive devices on the market.

Littelfuse, Inc has introduced the Q6008LH1LED and Q6012LH1LED Series of Alternistor Triac and Q6008LTH1LED and Q6012LTH1LED Series of QUADRAC Thyristor Power Control Devices. These devices are designed for use as the switch in a dimmer circuit to adjust the light output of Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs and strings. They allow designers of AC line based dimmers for LED lighting to accommodate a wide range of operating parameters without sacrif...