Surge protectors safeguard telecomms kit

Thyristor surge protection devices provide overvoltage protection by diverting energy away from the circuit being protected.

ON Semiconductor has expanded its lineup of circuit protection solutions with the introduction of the new NPxxx series of thyristor surge protection devices (TSPD) for telecommunications applications.

The NPxxx series of 44 devices protect telecommunication circuits found in central office, access and customer-premises equipment from over voltage conditions.

Ideal applications include modems, residential gateways, digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) and integrated voice data (IVD) cards.

Offered in both an industry-preferred DO-214AA surface mount package (SMB) and a robust DO-15 axial leaded package, the devices are reliable and economical.

Used as part of the secondary protection circuit, these devices provide overvoltage protection by diverting energy away from the circuit being protected.

The NPxxx devices are UL497A certified, and implementation into electronics applications assists in meeting various regulatory requirements including GR-1089-Core, ITU K.20/K.21/K.45, IEC61000-4-5, IEC60950, YD/T993, YD/T950 and YD/T1082.

"ON Semiconductor is committed to providing our customers with solutions to the increasingly complex circuit protection problems faced by our customers", says Gary Straker, ON Semiconductor Director of Protection and Control products within in the Standard Products Group.

"Additional circuit protection solutions will be introduced that target the various challenges facing today's telecomms systems designers".

The 44 new NPxxx devices are high surge current TSPDs offered in a range of protection voltages from 64 to 350V.

They are available at surge current ratings of 50, 80 and 100A.

The devices limit voltage and divert surge current to ground.

They are bidirectional, so they are able to have functionality of two devices in a single package.

This saves valuable space on board layout.

Basically, these devices act as a "crowbar" when an overvoltage occurs - diverting potentially damaging energy away from the sensitive circuit or device.

Once the transient overvoltage has passed, these devices return to their normal "off" or transparent state, and appear invisible to the normal operation of the circuit.

With no wearout characteristics, these TSPDs feature stable performance characteristics under fast transient conditions - assuring reliable and continued equipment operation.

The NPxxx devices are offered in the 5.40 x 3.5mm DO-214AA surface mount package and the 7.60 x 3.60mm DO-15 axial lead package and priced at US $0.10 per unit in 10,000 unit quantities.

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