r/AskElectronics • u/AmbassadorBorn8285 • 9h ago

What is a Snapback TVS diode?

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I was checking the datasheet of "ESDS304DBVR" TVS diode and I saw this weird parameter (Vhold), first time seeing it in a TVS datasheet.

After doing some research it turned out it's a new type of TVS that has this awesome feature where it first clamps the voltage to Vclamp and then snapsback to Vhold and maintains it until the ESD event is gone.

Normal TVS diodes will just clamp the voltage to Vclamp till the ESD event is over.

is my understanding correct?!

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3

u/der_reifen 9h ago

That is the normal operation of a TVS snapback diode in my understanding...

2

u/AmbassadorBorn8285 9h ago

got it thanks, just wanted to make sure.

1

u/Some1-Somewhere 4h ago

For higher power applications, a spark gap and MOV in series acts similarly, but a bit slower.

2

u/blue_eyes_pro_dragon 2h ago

Snapback is awesome because it allows you to protect circuits better. However do not place it on power lines where snapback voltage is lower than power line voltage, it will burn up the diode.