Littelfuse AK15 transient voltage suppressor device range

Littelfuse has introduced its AK15 series of transient voltage suppressor devices to prevent the destruction of electronic gear from high-energy transients.

With their 15 kA (8x20 µs pulse) surge current rating, the devices provide a high level of protection.

They will be especially useful to manufacturers of equipment such as cellular telecom infrastructure apparatus, industrial transient voltage surge suppression systems, railway trackside signalling circuitry, highway traffic control signals and other industrial control equipment.

The series is designed to provide protection against transients generated by nearby lightning strikes and high-level voltage surges that occur on electrical lines when large industrial equipment is switched on and off.

They are bidirectional devices for use in equipment connected to AC, but are also suitable for DC circuit protection. The series uses the company’s Foldbak technology, which lowers clamping voltage levels below the device’s avalanche state, which provides a higher level of protection.

A 15 kA rating means that electronic OEMs no longer have to gang multiple silicon avalanche diodes to get the level of protection they need.

Features include: 15 kA surge capability; no inherent wear-out mechanism when operated within its peak pulse current rating; Foldbak technology for a good clamping factor; very low clamping voltage; sharp breakdown voltage; bidirectional; low slope resistance; high-reliability design and construction; glass passivated chip junction; RoHS compliant and halogen free; UL recognised.