New high-temperature, glass-encapsulated MLVs rated for 150C operation

AVX Corporation has released a new series of high-temperature, glass-encapsulated MLVs that are qualified to AEC-Q200, rated for working temperatures up to 150C, and intended for employment in a broad assortment of high-energy, harsh-environment automotive underhood, industrial, and oil and gas applications.

Composed of ZnO-based ceramic semiconductor devices with non-linear, bidirectional voltage-current (V-I) characteristics comparable to those of back-to-back Zener diodes, but with higher current and energy handling abilities and the addition of EMI/RFI attenuation, the new TransGuard Automotive VGAH Series High-Temperature, Glass-Encapsulated MLVs consolidate bi-directional overvoltage circuit protection and EMI/RFI filtering functions into a single, high-reliability SMT device. The series also presents high current and energy-handling capabilities, very fast, sub-nanosecond response times to ESD strikes, high energy absorption/load dump, multiple-strike capabilities, low leakage, and excellent solderability. Further benefits incorporate glass encapsulation for impermeable protection against harsh environments and processes, including salt, acids, and chlorine flux, and no derating demands for energy and current over the entire range of operating temperatures extending from -55C to +150C.

Offered in five chip sizes (1206, 1210, 1812, 2220, and 3220) with 16-31VDC working voltages, 40-57V clamping voltages, 0.6-13J energy ratings, 1.5-50J load dump energy, 200-1,800A peak current ratings, and 700-15,000pF capacitance, the new automotive-qualified VGAH Series MLVs are particularly well suited for employment in high-temperature, harsh-environment DC motor, pencil coil, LIN bus, ECU, turbocharger, sensor, and relay applications in commercial, HEV, PHEV, and ICE vehicles. The series is also excellent for usage in a wide range of high-temperature, harsh-environment industrial applications, including power tools, automation and downhole drilling equipment, and renewable energy systems.

“AVX’s new TransGuard Automotive VGAH Series High-Temperature, Glass-Encapsulated Multilayer Varistors further extends its portfolio of high-reliability solutions for high-temperature, high-energy, and harsh-environment applications in the automotive, industrial, and oil and gas industries,” said Jiri Machanicek, product marketing manager for circuit protection at AVX. “The new VGAH Series MLVs provide TVS protection in their on-state and broadband EMI/RFI filtering in their off-state, don’t require any current or energy derating over the entire range of rated operating temperatures, which spans -55C to 150C, and have a compact form factor that ruggedly withstands harsh-environment conditions and processes and satisfies increasingly common demands for lightweight, space-saving, multifunctional components.”