ESDAxxSCx

Application information

5/11

2.3

ESD protection with ESDAxxSCx

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a major cause of failure in electronic systems.

Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) are an ideal choice for ESD protection. They are

capable of clamping the incoming transient overvoltage to a low enough level such that

damage to the protected semiconductor is prevented.

Surface mount TVS arrays offer the best choice for minimal lead inductance.

They serve as parallel protection elements, connected between the signal line and ground.

As the transient rises above the operating voltage of the device, the TVS array becomes a

low impedance path diverting the transient current to ground.

Figure 10.

ESDAxxSCx array protection against ESD

The ESDAxxSCx array is the ideal board level protection of ESD sensitive semiconductor

components.

The tiny SOT23-5L and SOT23-6L packages allow design flexibility in the high density

boards where the space saving is at a premium. This enables to shorten the routing and

contributes to hardening against ESD.

2.4

Advice for optimizing circuit board layout

Circuit board layout is a critical design step in the suppression of ESD induced transients.

The following guidelines are recommended:

●

The ESDAxxSC5/6 should be placed as close as possible to the input terminals or

connectors.

●

The path length between the ESD suppressor and the protected line should be

minimized

●

All conductive loops, including power and ground loops should be minimized

●

The ESD transient return path to ground should be kept as short as possible

●

Ground planes should be used whenever possible

ESD

sensitive

device

GND

I/ O LINES