P4KA11HE3/54

TVS – Diodes - also known as Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVSs) - are a type of diode used to protect sensitive electronics from voltage spikes caused by external factors such as static electricity discharge, lightning or induced voltages. The P4KA11HE3/54 is a classic example of a Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode. In this article, we will look at the application field and working principle behind this device.

The P4KA11HE3/54 is generally used to protect sensitive circuitries from high voltage transients generated by Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) or induced electrical noise. It is typically employed in power electronics like AC/DC power converters, solar inverters and AC adapters to protect the control circuitry and the sensitive components integrated on circuit boards. Moreover, it is used in the automotive industry for power supply units of on-board modules and control electronics such as engine control units, power steering and airbag controllers. It can also be used in wireless base station power supply units like base transceiver stations (BTS) and NodeB cabinets or WiMAX applications.

The working principle behind the P4KA11HE3/54 is quite simple. The device has a single NPN transistor with two Zener diodes, which provide a protection threshold of 13V and 23V. When the voltage exceeds the preset threshold, the NPN transistor is turned on and this pulls the voltage down to a safe level. Therefore, the P4KA11HE3/54 acts like a "crowbar" and quickly clamps down the voltage, thereby protecting the circuit against damaging voltage surges.

Apart from the protection threshold and low capacitance, the P4KA11HE3/54 also offers other features such as RoHS compliant packages, ESD protection and low leakage currents. The device is able to handle a continuous current up to 400 mA and it is available in various packages depending on the application requirements. The chip is also designed to be highly reliable with a robust built-in mechanism for handling transients, thus minimizing late time overshoots and ringing.

To sum it up, the P4KA11HE3/54 is a handyTransient Voltage Suppressor diode which can be used in a variety of applications to protect sensitive circuitry from voltage spikes. It offers a simple working principle, reliable performance and low capacitance, making it a popular choice for many different applications.