Littelfuse Introduces New TVS Diodes to Better Protect 48V Automotive Electronics

Littelfuse, has launched two new transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode series, the TP5.0SMD-FL and TP1KSMB-FL, aimed at protecting sensitive components in 48V automotive systems from voltage spikes.

These diodes work by clamping, or capping, dangerous voltage surges before they can damage nearby components like dc/dc converters and gate drivers. The challenge in 48V systems is that these ICs are increasingly sensitive, so protection devices need to react fast and clamp tightly without pushing voltage anywhere near the IC's maximum rating. Littelfuse's answer is a proprietary approach called FlatSuppressX, which keeps clamping voltage low and steady even during fast, high-energy transient events, unlike conventional TVS diodes, which tend to clamp at higher and less predictable voltages. The technology relies on what's called a foldback or snapback current-voltage response, a way of shaping how the diode reacts to overvoltage that keeps the response tightly controlled while avoiding the risk of latch-up, a failure mode where a device gets stuck conducting current uncontrollably. Because the clamping is so well controlled, engineers can pair these diodes with lower voltage-rated downstream components, which helps with both design flexibility and overall bill-of-materials cost.

Charlie Cai, Littelfuse's director of product management for the Protection Busines...