TVS Diodes & ESD Protection for China-Sourced Electronics
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TVS (transient voltage suppressor) diodes are the front-line ESD protection on any board with exposed connectors — USB, headers, antenna feeds. Designing them in for China-sourced products means matching the diode's clamping voltage and capacitance to the line it protects, then proving the board passes IEC 61000-4-2 contact and air discharge. Selection trades off protection level against signal integrity: a high-capacitance TVS will corrupt USB 3.0 or RF lines.
When you specify TVS protection the common error is a part whose clamping voltage is too high to protect the IC, or whose capacitance is too high for a high-speed line. We check the diode's working voltage, clamping voltage versus the protected pin's rating, and the PCB layout — the protection path must be short and low-inductance to actually work.
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FAQ
How do I choose the right TVS diode for an interface?
Pick a working voltage just above the signal's normal level, a clamping voltage below the protected IC's damage threshold, and capacitance low enough for the data rate (under ~1 pF for USB 3.0). Match the diode to each specific line rather than using one part everywhere.
What ESD standard do products need to pass?
IEC 61000-4-2 is the standard ESD immunity test, typically ±8 kV contact and ±15 kV air discharge for consumer products. Passing it depends on both TVS selection and PCB layout, so verify the test report covers your final assembly.
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