Varistors exhibit low leakage current of 1 µA max.

Press Release Summary:




Rated at 18 V, UltraGuard Multilayer Ceramic Varistors feature non-linear, bi-directional voltage-current characteristics similar to back-to-back zener diodes with EMC capacitor in parallel. Zinc Oxide-based units offer multi-strike capabilities and will survive 1,000 strikes at 15 kV contact ESD. Available in low and high capacitance versions ranging from 40-3,000 pF, varistors are suited for transient protection applications where extended battery life is required.



Original Press Release:



AVX Reduces Leakage Current, Boosts Voltage Rating of UltraGuard Multilayer Ceramic Varistor Series



MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (September 30, 2009) - AVX Corporation, a leading manufacturer
of advanced passive components and interconnect solutions, has expanded its Zinc Oxide
(ZnO) based varistor series to include an 18V-rated version that exhibits a low leakage current of 1µA maximum, which extends battery life in portable devices. The UltraGuard Series multilayer ceramic varistors feature non-linear, bi-directional voltage-current characteristics similar to back-to-back zener diodes with an EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) capacitor in parallel.

The UltraGuard Series offers many electrical advantages over zener diodes, including
better repetitive strike capability, higher inrush current capability, faster turn-on-time, and inherent EMI/RFI attenuation, all in a significantly smaller footprint, saving important board space. The robust UltraGuard Series also features multistrike capabilities and will survive 1000 strikes at 15kV contact ESD.

"Designed for applications where low power consumption is a primary concern, the
UltraGuard Series offers the lowest leakage current, highest rated voltage, and the fastest ESD response time than any other product on the market," said Sonja Brown, Global Circuit Protection Product Manager at AVX.

The UltraGuard Series multilayer ceramic varistor is ideal for transient protection
applications where extended battery life is required, including "banked" or stacked LED
drivers in backlit displays, fingerprint ID scanners, micro secure digital interfaces, camera modules, high clock-speed ICs, battery-operated devices, medical and instrumentation, low voltage power conversion circuits, and power supervisory chip sets. Further applications are also being found in optics such as laser diodes, laser diode drivers, and serializer/deserializer devices.

The UltraGuard Series multilayer ceramic varistor comes in discrete chips available in
0402, 0603, and 0805 sizes; 2-element packages in 0405 and 0508 sizes; and 4-element 0612 packages. Low and high capacitance versions are offered ranging from 40 through to 3000pF.

Pricing typically starts at $0.11 each in quantities of 10k.

For more information, contact AVX at 801 17th Avenue South, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
29578; by calling 843-448-9411, by fax at 843-444-2864 or on the Web at www.avx.com.

About AVX

AVX Corporation is a leading international supplier of advanced passive components and
interconnect solutions with 24 manufacturing and customer support facilities in 15 countries around the world. AVX offers a broad range of devices including capacitors, resistors, filters, timing and circuit protection devices and connectors. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:AVX).

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