Application Note

Automotive Circuit Protection using

Littelfuse Automotive TVS Diodes

The Challenge
The designers of automotive electronics face many technical challenges during the system design process, including designing
methods of protection against a variety of electrical hazards. The three major sources of electrical hazards in these systems are
electrostatic discharge (ESD), lightning, and switching loads in power electronics circuits. Overcoming transient surges that can harm
the vehicle’s electronics is one of the biggest challenges of the design process.

The Solution
Protecting automotive electronics includes eliminating transient surges that can damage the control units, infotainment electronics,
sensors, fuel injectors, valves, motors, 12/24/42/48 volts powertrains, and hydrolytic controllers, etc.
Note: For 48V power system with high power surge rating, welcome to contact Littelfuse for technical support and application test)

What do Littelfuse Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) Diodes Protect?

As shown in Figure 1, Littelfuse TVS diodes provide protection for four main categories of vehicle systems: safety, performance and
emissions, comfort and convenience, and hybrid vehicles.
In modern automotive designs, all on-board electronics are connected to the battery and the alternator. As indicated in Figure 2, the
output of the alternator is unstable and requires further conditioning before it can be used to power the vehicle’s other systems.
Currently, most of the alternators have zener diodes to protect against load dump surges; however, these are still not sufficient. During
the powering or switching of inductive loads, the battery is disconnected, so that unwanted spikes or transients are generated. If left
uncorrected, these transients would be transmitted along the power line, causing individual electronics and sensors to malfunction or
permanently damaging the vehicle’s electronic system, affecting overall reliability.

Figure 1. Vehicle Systems Subject to Transient Surge Hazards

Safety Comfort and Convenience

Airbags HID Lighting
Battery Disconnect Seating Controls/Memory
Anti-rollover Ride Control
Stability Control Theater Lighting
Seat Belt Pre-tensioning Climate Control
Tire Pressure Monitoring Navigation Systems
Infotainment/Video

Hybrid Vehicles Performance and Emissions

Gas Electric Engine Management
Fuel Cell Electric Adaptable Suspension
Diesel Electric Advanced Powertrains
Li-Ion Polymer
Ultra-capacitors

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 Application Note

Automotive Transient Surge (Not ESD) Standard

Littelfuse is a leading provider of TPSMF4L, TPSMB, TPSMA6L, TPSMC, TPSMD, TP6KE, TP1.5KE, TP5KP, SZSMF, SZ1SMA, SZ1SMB,
SZP6SMB, SZ1SMC, SZ1.5SMC, SLD, SLD5S, SLD6S, and SLD8S Series. TVS Diodes which can provide secondary transient voltage
protection for sensitive electronics from transients induced by load dump and other transient voltage events. These series offer
superior electrical performance in a small footprint package, allowing designers to upgrade their circuit protection without altering their
existing design footprint or to provide more robust protection in new circuit layouts.
Load dump protection requires high energy TVS diodes in the 12 and 24 volt system. For more information on load dump
protection, visit Littelfuse.com.
The automotive market has major two standards that outline protection against transient surges: JASO and ISO7637-2 (Surge) test for
the Japanese, American, and international markets. JASO A-1 outlines test conditions for 14 volt vehicle systems; JASO D-1 outlines
test conditions for 27 volt vehicles.
The following test standards are international and American test standards, which include the load dump, switching transients
and ESD threats.
Figure 2. The Alternator Causes Most of the Transients In a Vehicle’s Electrical System
Alternator/Regulator Assembly
(Actual circuit is fully wave rectified)

Wipers

Airbag

ABS
+
BATT EEC
Voltage
Reg.
Window Motor

International Standard ISO7637-2: USA National Standard:

• Applies to road vehicles-electrical disturbance by conduction • SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) J1113
and coupling • GM 9105, ES-F2af-1316-AA Ford (Visteon)
More Information on the ISO7637-2 Pulses:
• Automotive EMC Transition Requirements ■ Refers to the unwanted transients in the switching events
■ Pulse 1- Interruption of inductive load – refers to ■ Pulse 4 - Starter crank – refers battery voltage drop during
disconnection of the power supply from an inductive load motor start. This always happens in cold weather
while the device under test (DUT) is in parallel with the ■ Pulse 5 - Load dump – refers to the disconnection of the
inductive load vehicle battery from the alternator while the battery is
■ Pulse 2 - Interruption of series inductive load – refers to the being charged.
interruption of current and causes load switching ■ Pulse 6 - Ignition coil interruption
■ Pulse 3 - Switching spikes ■ Pulse 7 - Alternator field decayPulse 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 5 - Related
■ 3a negative transient burst to high voltage transient getting into the supply line; Pulse
4 defines minimum battery voltage. Refer to Figure 3a
■ 3b positive transient burst
and Table 1

Figure 3a: Surge Wave of Different Pulses & Its Magnitude

120V Load Dump
85V Noise

24V Jump Start

Nominal
14V
6V Crank

Reverse
Battery

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 Application Note

Automotive Environment Test Levels

Table 1: ISO7637-2 Test Levels on Each Pulse (12 Volts) • Pulse 1 is a transient caused by battery supply disconnection
Test Test Levels (12V System) Min. No. of Pulses
from inductive loads.
Pulse I Min. II III IV Max. or Test Time • Pulse 2a simulates transients due to sudden interruption of
1 - - –75V –100V 5000 pulses currents in a device connected in parallel with the DUT due to
2a - - +37V +112V 5000 pulses the inductance of the wiring harness.
2b - - +10V +10V 10 pulses
• Pulse 2b simulates transients from DC motors acting as
3a - - –112V –220V 1 hour
generators after the ignition is switched off.
3b - - +75V +150V 1 hour
5a - - +65V +87V 1 pulse • Pulse 3a and 3b are switching transients.
5b - - +65V +87V 1 pulse
• Pulse 5a and 5b are load dump transients. 5b clamp voltage
Us* is defined by different car manufacturers.
Table 2: ISO7637-2 Test Levels on Each Pulse (24 Volts) • The former levels I and II were deleted because they do not
Test Test Levels (24V System) Min. No. of Pulses
ensure sufficient immunity in road vehicles.
Pulse I Min. II III IV Max. or Test Time • Four performance levels for each pulse
1 - - –300V –600V 5000 pulses
• Different o/c voltage
2a - - +37V +112V 5000 pulses
2b - - +20V +20V 10 pulses • Negative and positive
3a - - –150V –300V 1 hour
• Pulse duration 0.1 - 400ms
3b - - +150V +300V 1 hour
5a - - +123V +173V 1 pulse • Single and burst
5b - - +123V 173V 1 pulse • TVS protection and its operation mode

Results of Littelfuse Automotive TVS Diode in ISO7637-2 Surge Test

Table 1a & 1b summarizes the compliance of each level of the ISO7637-2 surge test in 12 and 24 volt power systems when using
various Littelfuse Automotive TVS Diode series. Series TPSMF4L, TPSMA6L, TPSMB, TP6KE, TPSMC, TPSMD, SZSMF, SZ1SMA,
SZ1SMB, SZP6SMB, SZ1SMC and SZ1.5SMC feature pulse power ratings from 400W to 3000W. TP6KE series is a through-hole TVS
while the rest are surface mount. These devices help the power system pass the different surge tests (1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 5a and 5b)
operationally as specified by ISO7637-2. Referred to the table 12 volt system below, only if the alternator Ri value is higher than 4.5Ω,
TPSMD series TVS can then be used to pass the higher energy 5a surge. If Ri value (Altenator internal resistance) is lower than 4.5Ω,
then the higher power TVS such as SLD, SLD5S, SLD6S or SLD8S series are suggested used for such design. For the 24 volt car power
system surge compliance, refer to the 24 volt system results below.

Table 1a: Littelfuse Automotive TVS Diode Series Compliance with Various Surge Levels in 12 & 24 volt Powertrains
12V System
Level 3 Level 4
TVS Series
1 2a 2b 3a 3b 5a 1 2a 2b 3a 3b 5a
–75V +37V +10V –112V +75V +65V –100V +112V +10V –220V +150V +87V
TPSMF4L/ SZSMF Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TPSMA6L/ SZ1SMA Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TPSMB/ SZ1SMB / SZP6SMB Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TPSMC/ SZ1SMC / SZ1.5SMC Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TPSMD Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TP6KE Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TP1.5KE Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TP5KP Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
SLD Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
SLD5S/SLD6S/SLD8S Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass

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 Application Note

Table 1b: Littelfuse Automotive TVS Diode Series Compliance with Various Surge Levels in 24 volt Powertrains
24 Volt System
Level 3 Level 4
TVS Series
1 2a 2b 3a 3b 5a 1 2a 2b 3a 3b 5a
–300V +37V +20V –150V +150V +123V –600V +112V +20V –300V +300V +173V
TPSMF4L/ SZSMF Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TPSMA6L/ SZ1SMA Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TPSMB/ SZ1SMB / SZP6SMB Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TPSMC/ SZ1SMC / SZ1.5SMC Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TPSMD Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TP6KE Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TP1.5KE Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
TP5KP Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass - Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass -
SLD Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Conditional Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Conditional Pass
SLD5S/SLD6S/SLD8S Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Conditional Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Conditional Pass

Figure 3b: TVS Diode Used as a Shunt/Transient

Surge Protector for Various Car Systems

Voltage
Regulator

ECU, Airbag,
12V Protected
Alternator Motor,
Battery System
Infotainment,
etc.

As shown in Figure 3b, the TVS diode TPSMA6L15A is placed before the ECU, sensors, airbag controllers, motor, etc. When the
alternator provides power to the electronics, the TVS diode will protect against unwanted transients while allowing DC operating
voltage of 12 - 14 volts to the electronic systems.

Automotive Bus Protection

The most popular communication bus standards currently are the CAN and LIN buses.
CAN bus (Control Area Network) is a vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each
other within a vehicle with no need for a host computer.
CAN bus is a message-based protocol, designed specifically for automotive applications but now also used in other areas, such as
aerospace, industrial automation, and medical equipment.
The popular high-speed CAN bus protocol is ISO11898-2, where this differential protocol is good for high-speed (1.0 Mbps) and
medium-speed (125Kbps) applications in harsh environments
The ISO11898-2 bus consists of the CAN_H and CAN_L data lines and a common ground signal. It has 12 and 24 volt systems with
different bus voltages.
The LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus standard is a serial network protocol used for communication between components in
vehicles. As the technologies and the facilities implemented in vehicles grew, a need arose for a cheap serial network because the
CAN bus was too expensive to implement for every component in the car. European car manufacturers started using different serial
communication topologies, which led to compatibility problems.
The first fully implemented version of the new LIN specification (LIN version 1.3) was published in November 2002. In September
2003, version 2.0 was introduced to expand its capabilities and provide for additional diagnostics features. LIN may also be used over
the vehicle’s battery power-line with a special DC-LIN transceiver, which is common in today’s automotive world.

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 Application Note

Table 2: High-Speed CAN Specifications Table 3: LIN Bus Applications

Parameter High-Speed CAN Application Segments Specific LIN Application Examples

Physical Layer Specification ISO 11898-2 Roof Sensor, light sensor, light control, sun roof
High speed differential bus, Cruise control, wiper, turning light,
Features Steering Wheel
good noise immunity climate control, radio
Popular Applications Automotive and industrial controls Seat Seat position motors, occupant sensors, control panel
1.0 Mbits/s @ 40 meters Engine Sensors, small motors
Transmission Speed
125 kbits/s @ 500 meters Climate Small motors, control panel
Twisted or parallel pair wires, Mirror, central ECU, mirror switch, window lift,
Cable Door
shielded or unshielded cable seat control switch, door lock
Termination Resistance 120 W resistors located at each end of the bus
12 V System: –3.0/+16 V
Min/Max Bus Voltage
24 V System: –3.0/+32 V
Min/Max Common CAN_L: –2.0 (min)/+2.5 V (nom)
Mode Bus Voltage CAN_H: 2.5 (nom)/+7.0 V (max)

Differences between CAN and LIN Bus Applications

Control Area Network (CAN) systems handle everything from power steering to the critical drive-train communications between the
engine computer and the transmission. Local Interconnect Network (LIN) systems handle simple electromechanical functions, such as
moving the power seats and toggling the cruise control.
Threats to CAN/LIN Busses in the Automotive World
Because CAN/LIN busses are two-wire communication busses for various control and monitor functions inside the car, they have
a high chance of getting surges into the two wires and causing failure on the CAN/LIN transceivers. The following are protection
methods for these two buses.
Figure 4: CAN Bus Protection

Tx
CAN_H
Host Rx CAN Common
Controller Transceiver CAN_L Mode CAN Bus
Ref Choke

CAN Bus Protection Scheme

As shown in Figure 4, the TPSMB30CA TVS diode is designed to protect the two CAN bus lines in common-mode (with 24 volt
system) from the surge events. TPSMB24CA is a 600 watt bi-directional TVS diode with 25.6 volt reverse standoff voltage and 41.4
volt maximum clamping voltage. It is ideal for protecting the CAN bus without clipping the CAN signals. In a 12 volt CAN system, two
TPSMB15CA TVS diodes are used instead of the TPSMB24CA.
Figure 5 : LIN Bus Protection
LIN Bus

LIN LIN Node

Transceiver Connect

LIN Bus Protection Scheme

A LIN transceiver has signal ranges from +24 /–15 volts and data rate of 2.4 kbps to 20 kbps. As seen in Figure 5, it needs a
bidirectional asymmetrical TVS configuration to protect the two wires in a differential mode.
TPSMA6L24A/TPSMA6L15A TVS dioes are connected in anti in-series mode to protect the two wires from surge events. The TPSMA6L
TVS diode is a 600 watt device housed in a small DO-221AC package. An alternative solution with same power handling capability
would be to add a TPSMB30CA (bi-directional) to protect the LIN bus.

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 Application Note

Automotive Standard ISO16750-2 Vs. ISO7637-2 for Pulse 5 (Load Dump Surge Test)
Littelfuse TVS products in ISO16750-2
ISO 16750-2 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 3, Electrical and electronic equipment.
In 2010, ISO16750 replace ISO7637 for load dump pulse 5a and 5b portion. Here we will list these two standard difference and give a
guideline for load dump protection component selection.
Load dump
This test is a simulation of load dump transient occurring in the event of a discharged battery being disconnected while the alternator is
generating charging current to other loads remaining on the alternator circuit.
Based on below 2 waveforms definitions, we can see there is a difference between the tr rising slope. ISO16750 defines the rising
slope from 10% (US-UA) to 90% (US-UA), while ISO7637-2 defines the rising slope from 10% US to 90% US.
Figure 6: Pulse 5a Waveform in ISO16750-2 Figure 7: Pulse 5a Waveform in ISO7637-2

U td U

tr td

tr
US
0,9 (US-U)A

0,9 US

US

0,1 (US-U)A 0,1 US

UA UA
0 0
t t

• t time • UA supply voltage for generator • t time • UA supply voltage for generator
• U test voltage in operation (see ISO 16750-2) • U test voltage in operation (see ISO 7637-2)
• td duration of pulse • US supply voltage • td duration of pulse • US supply voltage (Does not
• tr rising slope • tr rising slope include UA)

Base on above waveform definition, we can see there is a slight difference between the rising slope tr for pulse 5b US and US* in
ISO16750-2 and ISO7637-2.
Figure 8. Pulse 5b Waveform in ISO16750-2 Figure 9. Pulse 5b Waveform in ISO7637-2

td U
U

tr td

tr
US a
0,9(US-U)A
0,9 US
b

US

US *
U S*
0,1(US-U)A 0,1 US
UA UA
0 0
t t

• t time • UA supply voltage for generator • t time • US supply voltage (Does not
• U test voltage in operation (see ISO 16750-2) • U test voltage include UA)
• td duration of pulse • US* supply voltage with load • td duration of pulse • US* supply voltage with load
• tr rising slope dump surpression • tr rising slope dump surpression (not include
• US supply voltage UA)
• UA supply voltage for generator
in operation (see ISO 16750-2)

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 Application Note

One important point here is how to choose a suitable TVS diode to pass ISO-16750-2 5b test for automotive electronics designer. As
we have already known that ISO-16750-2 Pulse 5b (here we call it as 5b pulses, in short) is a clamped load dump surge by alternator
integrated TVS diode, so other electrical or electronic components’ maximum voltage need be designed base on this US* clamped
voltage. In some cases, electronics designers may think that the centralized integrated TVS diode clamp voltage US* is still too high
for proper protection for the afterwards components. That means a lower clamp voltage TVS diode is needed for such protections.
However, with such lower clamp voltage, centralized integrated TVS will be by-passed (or shorted) without dissipating any load dump
energy. As a result, all load dump energy will be dissipated on the lower clamp voltage TVS diode. However, this waveform or surge
energy level is now actually a ISO16750-2 5a (without centralized load dump protection) but not that of from 5b. Thus automotive
electronics designers need to consider the rating of Us, Ri and td together to determine how high power the clamp TVS diode should
take. In this case, normally higher energy SLD/SLD5S/SLD6S/SLD8S series TVS diodes need be considered.
If US* voltage is within TVS diode protection voltage range, then designer just need to select a small power TVS with working voltage
a little bit higher than the US*, like TPMSB, TPSMC, TPSMD, SZ1SMB, SZP6SMB, SZ1SMC and SZ1.5SMC to withstand such 5b pulse
energy. At the same time, these TVS diode(s) can also able to withstand pulse1, 2a, 3a and 3b other impulses. For detail selection of
right TVS diode(s), please refer to below Figure 10 & 11 for 12 and 24 volt system.
The rule for ISO16750 5b US* and TVS Vbr correlation refer to below SOA (Safe Operation Area) curve.

Figure 10. 12v 5b Vbr vs. US* Figure 11. 24v 5b Vbr vs. US*

Table 4. Pulse Parameter Difference Comparison Between ISO16750-2 & ISO7637-2

ISO16750-2 ISO7637-2
Parameter Min Test Min Test
UN=12V UN=24V UN=12V UN=24V
Requirements Requirements
US(V) 79=<US=<101 151=<US=<202v 65=<US=<87 123=<US=<174v
US*(V) 35 65 define by user define by user
10 pulses at intervals
UA(V) 14 28 13~14 26~28
of 1 pulse
Ri(ohm) 0.5=<Ri=<4 1=<Ri=<8 0.5=<Ri=<4 1=<Ri=<8
1 minute
td(ms) 40=<td=<400 100=<td=<350 40=<td=<400 100=<td=<350
tr(ms) 10+0/-5 10+0/-5 10+0/-5 10+0/-5

10 x Unom x Nact
Ri =
0.8 x Irated x 12000min -1
Note - Ri is defined as the Alternator internal resistance

Unom: Specified voltage of the alternator

Irated: Specified current at an alternator speed of 6000 min - 1 (as given in ISO 8854)
Nact: Actual alternator speed, in reciprocal minutes.
For example, a traditional small passenger car with alternator 14 volts & 60 amps, its Ri at Nact 3000min-1 is 10 x 14 x 3000 / (0.8 x 60
x 12000), it is about 0.73 ohm.

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 Application Note

Major Differences:
ISO16750-2 defines 10 pulses in 10 minutes with 1 minute interval, while the old ISO7637-2 standard defines only 1 pulse. Thus, the
protector must have a higher reliability for this load dump protection in this new requirement.
As seen in Figure 12 & 13 below, we use typical 12 and 24 volt AEC-Q101 qualified TVS for load dump pulse 5a test verification and
comparison between ISO16750-2 and ISO7637-2.
Below is typical open load dump waveform for 12 and 24 volt system.
Figure 12. 12v System 101v 400mS Pulse Figure 13. 24v System 202v 350mS Pulse

In Figure 14 & 15 below, we have a comparison test of ISO16750-2 and ISO7637-2 with different pulses duration in the 12V system.
For the supply voltage Us 65 to 87 volt range, the Ri resistance required to withstand different pulses (40, 220 and 400 milliseconds) is
at least more than 1.14 ohm in the ISO7637-2. The upper region of the Figure 14 & 15 is the safe operation area of SLD15U-017 device.
Thus, we have to ensure the resultant resistance ( Alternator source impedance ) on the line exceeding 1.14 ohm to provide sufficient
protection for ISO7637-2 pulses. But, in the case of the Figure 15 with ISO16750-2 test requirement, the minimum resistance required
on the line is 1.5ohm which is more than that of the ISO7637-2.
Note: SLD15U-017 is a uni-directional TVS diode with 2200W power rating and a reverse standoff voltage 15V and a minimum breakdown voltage 16.7V.

Figure 14. 12v System Single Pulse(ISO7637-2) US Vs. Ri Figure 15. 12v System 10 Pulses(ISO16750-2) US Vs. Ri

SLD15U-017 SLD15U-017
1.5
1.2
1.4
1.1 1.3
1 1.2
1.1
Ri (ohm)
Ri (ohm)

0.9
1
0.8 40mS 1 pulse 40mS 10 pulse
0.9
220mS 1 pulse 220mS 10 pulse
0.7 0.8
0.6
400mS 1 pulse 0.7 400mS 10 pulse
0.6
0.5
0.5
65 70.5 76 81.5 87
79 84.5 90 95.5 101
Us(v)
Us(v)

*Note: Each curve above is SOA(Safe Operation Area). *Note: Each curve above is SOA(Safe Operation Area).

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In Figure 16 & 17 below, we have a comparison test of ISO16750-2 and ISO7637-2 with different pulses duration in the 24 volt system.
For the Supply voltage Us 123 to 174 volt range, the Ri resistance required to withstand different pulses (40mS, 220mS & 400mS) is
at least more than 4.3 ohm in the ISO7637-2. The upper region of the Figure 16 & 17 is the safe operation area of SLD33-018 device.
Thus, we have to ensure the resultant resistance (Alternator source impedance) on the line exceeding 4.3 ohm to provide sufficient
protection for ISO7637-2 pulses. But, in the case of the Figure 17 with ISO16750-2 test requirement, the minimum resistance required
on the line is 4.5 ohm which is a little bit larger than that of the ISO7637-2.
Note: SLD33-018 is a bi-directional TVS diode with 2200W power rating and a reverse standoff voltage 33V and a minimum breakdown voltage 36.7V.

Figure 16. 24 Volt System Single Pulse(ISO7637-2) US Vs. Ri Figure 17. 24 Volt System 10 Pulses(ISO16750-2) US Vs. Ri

SLD33-018
SLD33U-018 4.5
4.5
4
4
3.5
3.5

Ri (ohm)
3
Ri (ohm)

3
2.5 40mS 10 pulse
2.5 40mS 1 pulse
220mS 10 pulse
220mS 1 pulse 2
2
400mS 10 pulse
400mS 1 pulse 1.5
1.5
1 1
123 135.75 148.5 161.25 174 151 163.75 176.5 189.25 202

Us(v) Us(v)

*Note: Each curve above is SOA(Safe Operation Area). *Note: Each curve above is SOA(Safe Operation Area).

Figure 18. 12 Volt System 10 Pulses (ISO16750-2) US Vs. Ri Figure 19. 24 Volt System 10 Pulses (ISO16750-2) US Vs. Ri

*Note: Each curve above is SOA(Safe Operation Area). *Note: Each curve above is SOA(Safe Operation Area).

All above 6 graphs data are tested under normal room temperature. Actual pulse withstand capability could be different with different
application environments. The TVS Load dump energy could have de-rated to a lower level with higher environmental temperature. That
means, for the same US level, Ri would rise a little bit.

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Table 5. SLD series Vclamp maximum with different Table 6. SLD Series IPP Minimum with Different
pulse width, No. of pulses Pulse Width, No. of Pulses

Single pulse 10 pulses Single pulse 10 pulses

Series 400mS Series 400mS
40mS 220mS 400mS 40mS 220mS 40mS 220mS 400mS 40mS 220mS
SLD15-017 25.2V 24.2V 25.1V 24.8V 23.8V 23.7V SLD15-017 96A 82A 73A 98A 76A 69A
SLD33-018 50V 50.4V 50.1V 50V 50V 49.6V SLD33-018 50.4A 44A 44A 49.6A 40.8A 38.4A

As seen in above table, we have an example and pick suitable parts for your load dump protection. Now we are about to verify if
SLD33-018 can meet this protection requirement.
Voltage: 24 volt system: From Table 6, we know that SLD33-018 has a 40.8 amps clamping capability in 10 pulses
• Alternator resistance Ri = 4Ω condition at 220 milliseconds pulse width. From Table 5, we know that SLD33-018 has max
• Peak voltage of alternator output clamping voltage 50 volts in 10 pulses condition at 220 milliseconds pulse width. The actual
in load dump = 202 volts load dump peak clamping current can be calculated as (202 - 50 Volts) / 4Ω=38 amps which
• Target clamping voltage = 65 volts is lower than the 40.8 amp. Hence, SLD33-018 can protect the load dump surge (40.8 >
• Pulse width = 200 milliseconds 38 amps). Since TVS diode is a clamping device, the surge current will be affected by the
• Pulse numbers = 10 pulses in 10 external resistance. We know from the above, the Ri is the Alternator internal resistance
minutes will affect the TVS diode whether it can pass the surge test set by different external applied
voltage and surge duration. In the case where the Ri is too low to pass some surge tests,
then multiple TVS cascaded in parallel is needed to pass relevant surge test.

TVS Terminology
Figure 20. A Uni-Directional TVS in the Circuit for Protection

EOS

Transient Protected
Current TVS Load

Reverse Standoff Voltage

In the case of a uni-directional TVS diode, this is the maximum peak voltage that may be applied in the “blocking direction” with no
significant current flow. In the case of a bi-directional transient, it applies in either direction. It has the same definition as Maximum Off-
State Voltage and Maximum Working Voltage.

Breakdown Voltage
The voltage measured at a specified DC test current, typically 1 mA. A minimum or maximum value is usually specified.

Peak Pulse Power Rating

Expressed in Watts or Kilowatts, for a 1ms exponential transient. It is IPP multiplied by VCL.

Maximum Clamping Voltage (VC or VCI)

Maximum voltage that can be measured across the protector when subjected to the Maximum Peak Pulse Current.

Peak Pulse Current (IPP)

The Peak Pulse Current (IPP) identifies the maximum current the TVS Diode can withstand without damage. The required IPP can only
be determined by dividing the peak transient voltage by the source impedance. Note that the TVS Diode failure mechanism is a short
circuit; if the TVS Diode fails due to a transient greater than the datasheet specification, the circuit will still be protected.

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