
Breakover Diodes

Breakover diodes (BODs) serve as solid state switches and surge protective devices. BODs work by shunting a percentage of current and blocking transient voltages above the rating of the main circuit. Designers often use BODs to provide overvoltage, lightning, and arc-flash protection to thyristors and batteries. The power semiconductors can also be used as trigger devices for lasers and to pulse current to energy discharge circuits.
- Available with a wide range of breakover ratings, from 400 VBO to 4.2 kVBO
- Available with voltage tolerances of ±50 V or ±100 V
- Handle pulse currents up to 200 A
- Low forward current (Ifavm), from 0.2 A to 1.25 A
- Very low temperature dependence (e.g., 0.7 • 10–3 K, 2 • 10–3 K)
- Epoxy moldings with UL 94 flammability rating of V-0
- RoHS compliant
- Fast or very fast turn-on
- Available in oilproof packages
- Low weight
- Designed with pins to facilitate soldering on printed circuit boards