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What is the difference between Zener/TVS diodes and varistors? Four comparison aspects to
consider with regard to usage

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Chip varistors and TVS diodes are commonly used as over-voltage protection components.
Their structural design and manufacturing methods are completely different, but they offer
similar characteristics with regard to protection from static electricity.
They generally can therefore be used interchangeably in a circuit, but there are cases where
chip varistors are considered to be not suitable.
For historical reasons, many of the specification items given in catalogs and data sheets are
different, which makes it difficult to compare characteristics based solely on these data, unlike
in the case of capacitors and other general components.
The aim of this article is to clarify the difference between varistors and diodes and to introduce
data that can be used to compare the two.

Contents
• History
• Differences between chip varistors and TVS diodes
• Four key aspects for use of chip varistors and TVS diodes in controller area networks (CAN)
• Features of TDK chip varistors — ESD durability against repeated ESD stresses
• Features of TDK chip varistors — Miniaturized dimensions
• Publication of data sheets on the web
• Contact

History

Zinc oxide varistors developed in 1968 were adopted to protect diodes from lightning. Diodes on the other hand were used mainly for
rectification, so their application area was different. This is the reason why many items listed in catalogs and data sheets are different,
making a direct comparison difficult. The applicable Automotive Electronics Council standards also differ substantially, with AEC-Q101 being
used for TVS diodes and AEC-Q200 for varistors.

Figure 1 History

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 Differences between chip varistors and TVS diodes

Structure

Chip varistors are ceramic semiconductor products based mainly on zinc oxide. As the illustration below shows, chip varistors have a
laminated structure, with breakdown voltage and capacitance being controlled by the number of layers and the interlayer design. TVS diodes
on the other hand are a combination of P-type and N-type semiconductors. They are silicon-based ESD protection components. Some
diodes also use Au wire etc.

Figure 2 Chip varistor Figure 3 TVS diode

I-V curve

The resistance value of both chip varistors and TVS diodes changes greatly depending on the applied voltage. Chip varistors enable bi-
directional electrostatic protection. TVS diodes used to be almost exclusively uni-directional, but there are now an increasing number of
bi-directional TVS diodes as well. It is important to note, however, that there are cases where the behavior differs depending on the
direction.

Figure 4 I-V curve

Reaction speed to over-voltage

Based on recollections of disc varistors and similar in the early days of varistors, one often hears that varistor response is slow. But as the
graph below shows, the response speed to over-voltage is similar for chip varistors and TVS diodes. When a +8kV HBM voltage according
to IEC 61000-4-2 is applied, the peak is reached within 1 ns, and the voltage at the protected component has dropped to about zero after
400 ns.

Figure 5 Reaction speed to over-voltage

© 2020 TDK Corporation 20200514 / varistor_ctvs_pov_different-zener-mlv_en

Capacitance

The capacitance range of varistors and TVS diodes differs considerably. Because chip varistors have a multilayer structure, capacitance can
be increased by increasing the number of internal electrode layers. When comparing sizes of EIA 0805 and under, the difference in the
highest capacitance is close to a factor of 100, as shown below. In some lines requiring a parallel MLCC configuration, it may therefore be
possible to use a single chip varistor.

Figure 6 Capacitance

Other characteristics

With regard to miscellaneous other characteristics such as thermal characteristics and insertion loss, there are slight differences between
chip varistors and TVS diodes, but a comparison at the same specifications will show similar behavior. Because data sheets will show the
respective curve, a comparison with TVS diodes is possible.

Figure 7 Other characteristics

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 Four key aspects for use of chip varistors and TVS diodes in controller area networks (CAN)

In a controller area network (CAN), antistatic components are used to protect the CAN transceiver. Some points to consider with regard to
selecting components for use on CAN lines are described below.

Maximum allowable circuit voltage

In a CAN with serial bus topology, the CANH and CANL signals are used to specify the dominant and recessive level state. When dominant,
the CANH line is at about 3.5 V. The electrostatic protection component must function as an insulator at this voltage. Therefore a component
with a maximum allowable circuit voltage of 3.5 V or higher must be selected in this case.

Because the leak current of the electrostatic protection component is temperature dependent, the ambient temperature in the actual usage
environment must also be taken into consideration. The graph below shows the thermal characteristics of leak current in a representative
chip varistor and TVS diode. The leak current increases towards higher temperatures, but it is designed to not exceed 50 µA.

Figure 8 Thermal characteristics of leak current

Capacitance

The maximum transfer rate in a CAN will be 1 Mbps. Electrostatic protection components inserted in parallel with the circuit should not
obstruct communication at this speed. Therefore components with low insertion loss at 1 Mbps (= 0.5 MHz) must be selected. The graph
below shows the insertion loss for a chip varistor and two TVS diodes. It can be seen that any of these can be inserted without obstructing
CAN communication.

Figure 9 Insertion loss for a chip varistor and two TVS diodes

© 2020 TDK Corporation 20200514 / varistor_ctvs_pov_different-zener-mlv_en

Surge protection capability

Electrostatic protection components serve to prevent damage to ICs and peripheral components used in a set. As an example, the ESD
durability ratings for an automotive CAN transceiver are shown below.

Table 1 ESD Durabitily of CAN Tranceiver for each IC

Vesd HBM
Tranceiver Vender Transfer rate SPLIT Other
CANH, L
A Company A 1Mbps ±12kV ±12kV ±12kV

B Company B 1Mbps ±12kV ±10kV ±4kV

C Company C 1Mbps ±6kV ±6kV ±4kV

From the table, it can be seen that the CAN transceiver may be destroyed if a voltage of 4 kV or higher is applied.

Figure 10 TLP data

If no electrostatic protection component is used, an 8 A current will flow in the CAN transceiver in case of a 4 kV electrostatic discharge,
thereby destroying it. As can be seen from the illustration below, the resistance value of the varistor or TVS diode rapidly drops to below 2
ohms when over-voltage is applied.

Figure 11 TLP data

© 2020 TDK Corporation 20200514 / varistor_ctvs_pov_different-zener-mlv_en

Because the major part of the current generated by the ESD flows to the electrostatic protection component, the CAN transceiver is
protected. Using TLP data, it is possible to perform simulations at the design stage to verify the current that will reach the CAN transceiver.
This is only a simple example, but by knowing the characteristics of other electronic components as well, it is possible to check ESD
durability before actual testing.

ESD durability

In many cases, one needs to determine the ESD durability as a set, and the same performance is required of the electrostatic protection
components. The ESD durability for a product can be checked in the data sheet.

Features of TDK chip varistors — ESD durability against repeated ESD stresses

The resistance of a varistor against repeated surges depends significantly on material design choices, such as the type and composition of
additives to the main material zinc oxide (ZnO). Chip varistors from TDK benefit from proprietary materials developed by harnessing the
materials technology of the company. As a result, the varistors feature excellent durability against repeated surges. TDK also offers products
that can substitute Zener diodes in applications involving frequent on/off switching such as for solenoid valves and stepping motors. For
details, see the article " Chip Varistors That Excel in Resisting Repeated Surges"

Features of TDK chip varistors — Miniaturized dimensions

TDK has realized miniaturized varistors with a form factor of EIA 01005 (0.4 x 0.2 mm). The company also mass-produces the industry's
smallest AEC-Q200 compliant EIA 0402 (1.0 x 0.5 mm) size for automotive applications.

Figure 12 Features of TDK chip varistors — Miniaturized dimensions

© 2020 TDK Corporation 20200514 / varistor_ctvs_pov_different-zener-mlv_en

 Publication of data sheets on the web

The various data mentioned above are from data sheets that TDK is making available on the Internet. This provides all the data that are
required to easily perform comparisons with TVS diodes.

© 2020 TDK Corporation 20200514 / varistor_ctvs_pov_different-zener-mlv_en

 Contact Information

Inquiries on products, sales, or technical matters

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