Renesas Electronics Corporation TVS Diodes

A TVS diode (transient voltage suppressor) is a semiconductor protection diode designed to clamp damaging voltage spikes before they reach sensitive electronics. Under normal operation, the device remains in a non-conductive state up to its reverse standoff voltage (VRWM). When a transient event such as an ESD event, inductive load switching surge, or lightning-induced overvoltage exceeds the breakdown voltage (VBR), the TVS diode rapidly enters conduction and limits the voltage to a defined clamping voltage. This extremely fast response, typically faster than traditional Zener diodes, varistors, or thyristors, makes TVS devices ideal for protecting MOSFETs, ICs, rectifiers, and signal lines from electrostatic discharge and surge current events. Available in unidirectional and bidirectional versions, TVS diodes are commonly used across power rails, in parallel with signal lines, or at circuit interfaces exposed to external connections.