TVS Diodes (ESD Protection Devices)Section 2　“What are ESD Tests?”

Manufacturers of electronic devices are required to devise appropriate ESD countermeasures that satisfy the standards of each electronic device, and various tests and standards have been enacted for each purpose and product. There are three representative methods of testing various devices such as IC circuits and electronic components: HBM (Human Body Model), MM (Machine Model), and CDM (Charged Device Model). Each of these tests is carried out according to the following standards, on the applicable components and devices, under the applicable test conditions.

Tests on TVS Diodes are covered by standard IEC61000-4-2. Murata evaluates its products using the method stipulated by this standard. For the test, the following circuit which includes a 150 pF capacitor and an internal resistance of 330 Ω is used, and the resistance of the product to breakdown is evaluated by discharging four ESD voltages in the sequence 2 kV, 4 kV, 6 kV, and 8 kV, to the case of the device. Since the testing equipment enables testing of up to 30 kV, tests of over 8 kV can also be performed.