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Metal Oxide Varistor:


Application Note
 IC Protection against Electro-static Discharge(ESD)

+VCC
Signal line
Power supply IC

Fig.10
IC protection

 Noise Suppression
SIG.1

SIG.2
Equipment Fig.11
SIG.3
to be Protection of signal
SIG.4 protected. equipment

COM

THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL Co., LTD. 1 www.thinking.com.tw 2008.07



Metal Oxide Varistor:
Application Note

 Equipment Protection against Line Transient Damage


The varistors have many advantages which make it ideal for use as a suppressor on AC or DC power line.

Equipment Equipment
to be AC/DC to be
AC/DC
protected protected

Fig.4
Fig.3 Absorption of line-line
Absorption of line-line and line-ground
surge in single-phase system surge in single-phase system
System.

Equipment
Equipment
AC220V to be
AC220V to be
protected
protected

Fig.6
Fig.5
Absorption of line-line and
Absorption of line-line
line-ground
surge in three-phase system
surge in three-phase system

 Protection of Components Switching Inductive Load


The transistor in Fig.7 is to operate a solenoid, inductive load. The energy stored in inductor is dissipated in the reverse
bias conduction of the transistor and might cause transistor breakdown. A varistor can be connected, collector-to-base, to
dissipate the stored energy in the forward bias state without damaging the transistor.

V+

Fig.7
Solenoid circuit with
varistor protection.

THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL Co., LTD. 2 www.thinking.com.tw 2008.07



Metal Oxide Varistor:
Application Note
 Transient Protection of Solid State Circuit
Modern electronic equipments and appliances contain solid state circuits that are susceptible to malfunction or damage
caused by transient voltage spikes.

Fig.8
Semiconductor protection

 Extend the Life of Relay Contacts


When the current in inductive load is interrupted by mechanical contacts, the voltage across the contacts builds up and
cause arcing which is destructive to the contacts. Varistors can be applied to prevent initiation of the arc.

M Fig.9
Contact protection

THINKING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL Co., LTD. 3 www.thinking.com.tw 2008.07

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