Multilayer Varistors

Multilayer varistors – also referred to as ceramic transient voltage suppressors CTVS - are voltage-dependent resistors with symmetrical V/I characteristics. Their resistance value decreases with increasing voltage, thus "short-circuiting" a further rise in overvoltage.
They feature very fast response times <0.5 ns and provide effective protection of electronic circuits in mobile communications, automotive electronics, industrial applications, consumer electronics and information technology against electrostatic discharge (ESD) and transients

Technology

The chip of a ceramic multilayer varistor (MLV) consists of a stack of alternating ceramic/electrode layers. The thickness of the ceramic layers affects the protection level.
In the active volume of the ceramic chip there are a number of internal electrode layers with an overlapping area affecting the pulse absorption capability. The internal electrodes are connected to the terminals or external electrodes.
Connected in parallel with the electronic device to be guarded, CTVS form a low resistance shunt when voltage increases above a MLV type-specific threshold value and thus prevent any further rise in the transient overvoltage.

Sintering zinc oxide (ZnO) together with other metal oxide additives under specific conditions produces a polycrystalline ceramic whose grain boundary resistance exhibits a non-linear dependence on voltage. This phenomenon is called varistor effect.
At those points where zinc oxide grains are connected by an intergranular layer, sintering produces a microscopic structure of ‘micro varistors’. The electrical behavior of the MLV results from the number of micro varistors connected in series and in parallel.
MLV naturally offer millions of “PN” junctions within the entire volume of a single component instead of a single PN junction in case of a silicon based transient voltage suppression diode (TVS).

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Features

Case size EIA0201 to 2220

Max working voltage V_RMS,max = 6 … 130 V

Bi-directional protection (single and multiline)

100% Pb free, UL compliant

Benefits

Features	Automotive	General purpose	High Surge protection	X Series
Wide product portfolio	✔	✔	✔	✔
ESD protection acc. to IEC 6100-4-2 level 4	✔	✔	✔	✔
Comply with automotive pulses acc. to ISO 7637-2 & ISO 16750-2 15kV	✔			✔
Bi-directional ESD protection up to 25kV	✔	✔	✔	✔
ESD protection acc. to IEC 61000-4-2, level 4 up to 30kV			✔	✔
Qualified according to AEC-Q-200	✔			✔*
Availability of Failsafe option acc. to VW 80808-1 (open mode)	✔			✔
High reliability and stable protection level	✔	✔	✔	✔
No derating up to 125°C	✔	✔	✔	✔
Surge load capability up to 4kV (8/20us) acc. to IEC 6100-4-5		✔		✔
Pule capability up to 5kA (1 x 8/20us) acc. to IEC 61000-4-5			✔	✔
Multi strike capability	✔	✔	✔	✔
Short response time (< 0.5 ns)	✔	✔	✔	✔
Reduced CO₂ footprint				✔
UL approval to UL1449 (file E481997)		✔	✔	✔
			*) only for automotive series

Product news

New eco-friendly X-Series with CO₂-reduced footprint for over-voltage protection in standard and automotive applications
New high-performance and extremely compact TVS Diodes for ICT, Consumer and High-speed Applications
New 48 V automotive-grade systems for 48 V systems

Typical applications

Automotive

Bus protection
Powertrain
Enter- / Infotainment
Safety / ADAS
Lighting
Body / Comfort
ECU / Battery line

Communication

Telecom infrastructure
Base station
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
PoC (Power over Coax)
IoT

Industrial

Power supply
Lighting
UPS

Artificial Intelligence

AI server
Data center
AI power supplies

IoT

Wearables
Sensors
Security cameras

Consumer

Home Appliance
Smart Home
Healthcare

Get data sheets and search

Features/Series	Max. operating voltage (V AC)	Max. operating voltage (V DC)	Type
Automotive E series	10 - 40	12 - 56	CA05M2S10T100HG - CT2220S14BAUTOG
Automotive E series	---	---	Kit
Automotive G series	14 - 40	16 - 56	CT0603K14G_G - CT2220K30G_G
Automotive G series, open mode design	14	16	CT0805S14BAUTOGOM_G, CT1206S14BAUTOGOM_G, CT1210S14BAUTOGOM_G
Automotive X series	25	31	CT1210K25G_X1
Automotive series	25	31	CT0805K25AUTOG2_X1
Automotive series	25	31	CT0805K25G_X1
Automotive series	25	31	CT1210K25AUTOG_X1
Automotive series	30	38	CT0805K30G_X1
Automotive series	25	31	CT1210K25AUTOG2_X1
Automotive series	14	16	CT0805S14BAUTOG2_X1
Automotive series	25	32	CT0603L25HSG_X1
Automotive series	14	16	CT1210S14BAUTOG2_X1
Automotive series	14	16	CT1210S14BAUTOG_X1
Automotive series	25	32	CT0603L25HSG2_X1
Automotive series	30	38	CT1206K30G_X1
Automotive series	30	38	CT1206K30G2_X1
Automotive series	17	22	CT0805K17G_X1
Automotive series	14	16	CT0805S14BAUTOG_X1
Automotive series	17	22	CT1210K17G_X1
Automotive series	30	38	CT1812K30G_X1
Automotive series	25	32	CT0603L25HTCCG_X1
Automotive series	40	56	CT1206K40G_X1
Automotive series	25	31	CT0805K25G_X1
CTVS Multilayer Varistors and CeraDiodes for General Use	---	---	Kit
CTVS Multilayer Varistors and CeraDiodes for Industrial Use	---	---	Kit
CTVS Multilayer Varistors for Surge Protection	---	---	Kit
ESD/ EMI filter series	---	5	CA04F2FT5AUD010G
High surge protection series	25	36	CT1210K25E2G
High surge protection series	50	65	CT1210K50E2GU
High surge protection series	40	58	CT1210K40E2G
High surge protection series	45	59	CT1210K45E2GU
High surge protection series	50	65	CT1812K50E2GU
High surge protection series	17	24	CT1210K17E2G
High surge protection series	60	85	CT1210K60E2GU
High-speed series	4 - 25	5.5 - 32	CA05M2S10T100HG - CT0603V150RFG_E
Low clamping voltage series	4	5.5	CT0201S4ACC5G
Standard series	40	51	CT0402S40G_X
Standard series	25	32	CT0603L25HSG_X
Standard series	30	38	CT0805K30G_X
Standard series	30	38	CT1206K30G2_X
Standard series	40	51	CT0402S40G_X
Standard series	3.5	5	CT0402K4G_X
Standard series	40	56	CT1206K40G_X
Standard series	17	22	CT1210K17G_X
Standard series	30	38	CT1812K30G_X
Standard series	3.5	5	CT0402M4G_X
Standard series	37	48	CT0603S37G_X
Standard series	28	36	CT0402S28G_X
Standard series	30	38	CT1206K30G_X
Standard series	33	42	CT0402S33G_X
Standard series	28	36	CT0402S28G_X
Standard series	25	31	CT0805K25G_X
Standard series	4 - 130	5.5 - 170	CT0402L14G - CT2220M4G
Surge protection series	30 - 130	38 - 170	CT0805K30G - CT2220S50E3G

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Parameters

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Max. operating voltage (V AC)

Surge current (8/20µs) (A)

Energy absorption (mJ)

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Product resources

Presentation

This presentation includes:

Portfolio and Technology
Basic functionality
Protection against voltage transients in automotive applications
Automotive electrical diagram
ESD protection for automotive Ethernet data ports
Open Mode Failsafe protection for automotive battery lines
Surge protection for Telecom and PoE devices
New X-Series

PDF - 1.5 MB Download

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Application Note

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Multilayer Varistors

Technology

Quick search for Multilayer Varistors

Features

Case size EIA0201 to 2220

Max working voltage VRMS,max = 6 … 130 V

Bi-directional protection (single and multiline)

100% Pb free, UL compliant

Benefits

Product news

Typical applications

Automotive

Communication

Industrial

Artificial Intelligence

IoT

Consumer

Get data sheets and search

Product resources

Presentation

Explore more

Tech Library

Compact and robust overvoltage protection

Tech Library

Essential protection

Tech Library

Failsafe chip varistors for automotive battery lines

Tech Library

ESD protection by selecting the right components

Selection Guide

ESD Protection Devices Selection Guide (Commercial Grade)

Selection Guide

ESD Protection Devices Selection Guide (Automotive Grade)

Selection Guide

Signal Line Common Mode Filters/Chokes, ESD Protection Devices (Commercial Grade)

Application Note

The Key to Successful ESD Protection: GND Pattern Design and Use of ESD Protection Components

Get in contact

Sales Network & Sites

Product Inquiry

Tradeshows & Events

Social Media

Product notice

Protection devices

Environmental information

General information

Max working voltage V_RMS,max = 6 … 130 V