SA170A Circuit Protection

The SA170A TVS diode is a robust surge protection component designed to protect sensitive equipment from the damaging effects of transient voltages. It is a fast-response, low-capacitance component with a proven technology that provides excellent protection from high-amplitude signals.

The SA170A protects circuits from fault spikes up to 1.5kV across a wide operating temperature range. It features a low input capacitance of only 80pF, making it an excellent choice for circuits that may be prone to high-frequency noise. The high surge rating ensures that the device can handle large surges without being damaged or destroyed. It also operates at an ultra-high speed, with a response time of less than 75ns.

The primary application area of the SA170A is in electronic equipment that relies on sensitive circuits, such as communications, automotive, and industrial applications. It can be used to protect audio and video circuits, controllers, power supplies, computers, sensitive logic circuits, and other sensitive digital or analog circuitry from surges and voltage overloads.

The working principle of the SA170A is based on avalanche breakdown. When a high voltage transient surge is applied, the diode breaks down. This causes the current to increase and the voltage across the device to drop. As the surge passes, the device quickly recovers, clamping the voltage to a low level. This allows the device to absorb large surges without any damage to the circuits it is protecting.

The SA170A also features a variety of protection modes, depending on the circuit it is protecting. For example, its Unidirectional mode prevents currents over a certain threshold from flowing in one direction. This is useful for protecting circuits from short-circuit or overvoltage conditions. The Clare® U series also features Auto-Reset, which automatically resets the protection mode after the fault has passed.

The SA170A is a reliable, high-performance TVS diode that is uniquely designed to offer the highest level of protection against transient surges and voltage overloads. Its low capacitance and fast response time make it an ideal choice for sensitive electronic equipment, and its wide operating temperature range ensures that it will remain reliable in applications that have a wide range of temperatures.