MXLP6KE18A Circuit Protection

Transient Voltage Suppressed (TVS) diodes, also nicknamed “transient arresters”, are electronic components with the capability to reduce or prevent excessive voltage that can surge in circuits and damage electrical and electronic devices. The MXLP6KE18A device is a low-capacitance bi-directional Uni-Polar TVS Diode from Fairchild Semiconductor, designed to protect high speed communications lines, such as USB 2.0, from over-voltage caused by electrostatic discharges (ESD).

Due to its unique Uni-Polar design, MXLP6KE18A can be used either in stand-alone or in series connection, allowing flexibility in application. Its low-capacitance design is ideal for the high-speed line protection applications, as its minimized capacitive loading enables the lowBit Error Rate (BER) operation of the data systems.

As advancement of technology makes the line speed faster, the lack of suitable protection can cause dangerous surges and poor signal integrity. For such environment, the MXLP6KE18A device can provide the best protection against over-voltage and damage to valuable equipment. It provides excellent clamping characteristics and fast transient response due to its low input capacitance. MXLP6KE18A is very safe to use and won’t cause any short circuits of the connected devices.

The MXLP6KE18A device works by clipping the signal waveform when the voltage reaches a certain threshold. This clipped waveform is then guided either to the load or ground, which helps in controlling transients. This threshold voltage is referred to as the “Breakdown Voltage” and for this particular device, it is 18V. During normal operation, when the voltage is less than this threshold value, the device works as an open switch.

The MXLP6KE18A device also offers ESD protection that makes it suitable for a variety of portable systems that require superior device protection. It can protect up to 28kV of Human Body Model (HBM), 15kV of Contact Discharge Model (CDM), as well as 4.5kV of Machine Model (MM). These devices are tested according to the IEC61000-4-2 international standard.

The MXLP6KE18A device is available as a leaded package type and features excellent RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) shielding due to its low capacitance. It is rated at working temperature range from -55 °C to 150 °C, and it is RoHS compliant. It is small in size, but offers superior performance in protecting, comparatively very low power loss in the normal operating mode.

In conclusion, the MXLP6KE18A device from Fairchild Semiconductor is a high performance transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode that can protect data lines from ESD, and other types of transient events. Its low-capacitance design makes it suitable for high-speed line protection applications, and its wide working temperature range makes it ideal for a variety of applications.