The concern for product reliability with respect to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) continues to increase. Whether at the IC foundry, the board assembler, or in the field, ESD is a threat to product survivability. In the foundry and board assembly process, ESD Protection is built into the ICs and is enhanced by work place treatments like static dissipative clothing and environmental modifications (humidity/ionization control). Properly implemented, these treatments can ensure high yields with respect to Human Body Model (HBM), Machine Model (MM), and Charged Device Model (CDM) types of ESD events.
However, a circuit that survives HBM/MM/CDM events is not guaranteed to survive real-world electrostatic discharge (ESD) events, to which the end product (PDA, computer, cell phone, etc.) will be subjected. User-generated ESD events, like those specified in the IEC 61000-4-2, are much more severe than the foundry/assembly house events, and can destroy the ICs. To enhance survivability, ESD protection products are used. These devices supplement the on-board ESD protection capabilities of IC's so that the end product can reliably function after exposure to severe electrostatic discharge events.
Littelfuse offers a broad portfolio of ESD protection solutions that allow the designer to best match the suppressor to the circuit characteristics. Our products are found virtually everywhere you look, including cars, consumer electronics, computers, industrial machinery, and many other products. Search for ESD protection solutions by Application Type.
We make it easy to find the ESD protection solution that is right for your project. Littelfuse features three product families that can be used as ESD protection in various applications: Multilayer varistors, Silicon TVS Arrays, and PulseGuard? Voltage Variable Polymer Technology. Some important suppressor considerations include capacitance, leakage current, and clamping voltage. Click here to use our interactive ESD protection solution search
Data Protocol or Input Type | Applicable Littlefuse Series |
Audio, Video, RS232 or IEEE 1284 | |
USB 1.1 | SPUSB1, MLE, MHS, SP720, SP723, SP724, SP05xBA, SP05xBAC and SP05xBBC series |
RS485, Ethernet, LCDs | |
IEEE1394a, USB2.0, IEEE1394b and HDMI | PGB1 series |
Littelfuse multilayer varistors (MLVs) provide board level EFT and ESD protection, as well as protection from other transients that occur on power supply, signal and control lines. Multilayer varistors are composed of zinc-oxide ceramic layers. This ceramic acts as an insulator during normal conditions, but transitions from high to low resistance during an ESD event. By shunting harmful transient voltage, multilayer varistors provide robust ESD protection.
Single and multiple line devices are available in popular industry standard outlines with a variety of termination options; including lead-free, nickel barrier end terminations for improved soldering characteristics.. MLVs can also be chosen for low band-pass filtering characteristics so that they provide ESD protection and filter high frequency noise from the circuit. EFT & ESD Protection: MLV Parametric Search.
Silicon Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) devices offer a high level of ESD protection with very low capacitance, leakage current and clamp voltage. TVS diode arrays are available in surface mount multi-pin packages or chip-scale array packages. They are designed for applications that require multiline ESD protection. ESD Protection: Technology Search.
PulseGuardŽ ESD protection devices have extremely low capacitance allowing them to be used in high-speed data circuits (IEEE 1394, USB 2.0, HDMI, DVI, etc.). PulseGuard suppressors are now available in RoHS compliant, 100% lead-free single or multiline packages. They provide ESD protection while ensuring that signal integrity is maintained. Littelfuse PulseGuard suppressors incorporate voltage variable polymer technology. This technology is composed of a polymer-based material that has characteristics similar to zinc-oxide. It acts as an insulator under normal conditions, and provides ESD protection by shunting electrostatic discharge to ground. ESD Protection: PulseGuard Parametric Search.
To learn more about the electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection solutions Littelfuse offers, as well as other circuit protection solutions, please click here: Littelfuse Home.
Additional Information:
TVSS
Electrical Fuses
Varistors
Thyristors
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