SMT50
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The electrical characteristics of a SMT50 device are similar to
that of a self-gated Triac, but the SMT50 is a two terminal
device with no gate. The gate function is achieved by an
internal current controlled mechanism.
device is reached (Ibo) which causes the device to switch to a
fully conductive state such that the voltage across the device
is now only a few volts (Vt). The voltage at which the device
switched from the avalanche mode to the fully conductive
state (Vt) is known as the Breakover voltage (Vbo). When the
device is in the Vt state, high currents can be diverted
without damage to the SMT50 due to the low voltage across
the device, since the limiting factor in such devices is
dissipated power (V x I).
Like the T.V.S. diodes, the SMT50 has a standoff voltage (Vrm)
which should be equal to or greater than the operating
voltage of the system to be protected. At this voltage (Vrm)
the current consumption of the SMT50 is negligible and will
not affect the protected system.
Resetting of the device to the non-conducting state is
controlled by the current flowing through the device. When
the current falls below a certain value, known as the Holding
Current (Ih), the device resets automatically.
When a transient occurs, the voltage across the SMT50 will
increase until the breakdown voltage (Vbr) is reached. At this
point the device will operate in a similar way to a T.V.S.
device and is in avalanche mode.
As with the avalanche T.V.S. device, if the SMT50 is subjected
to a surge current which is beyond its maximum rating, then
the device will fail in short circuit mode, ensuring that the
equipment is ultimately protected.
The voltage of the transient will now be limited and will only
increase by a few volts as the device diverts more current. As
this transient current rises, a level of current through the
SELECTING A SMT50
I
1. When selecting a SMT50 device, it is important that
the Vrm of the device is equal to or greater than the
the operating voltage of the system.
V-I Graph illustrating symbols
Ipp
and terms for the SMT50 surge
protection device.
IBO
IH
IRM
2. The minimum Holding Current (Ih) must be greater
than the current the system is capable of delivering
otherwise the device will remain conducting following
a transient condition.
V
VRM
VBR
VBO
VR
COMPLIES WITH THE
PEAK SURGE
VOLTAGE
VOLTAGE
CURRENT
ADMISSIBLE
(A)
IPP
NECESSARY
RESISTOR
FOLLOWING STANDARDS
WAVEFORM
WAVEFORM
(V)
(µS)
(µS)
(Ω)
(CCITT) ITU-K20
(CCITT) ITU-K17
VDE0433
1000
1500
2000
2000
level 3
level 4
1500
800
10/700
10/700
10/700
1.2/50
10/700
1.2/500
10/160
10/560
9/720
5/310
5/310
5/310
1/20
25
38
50
50
50
100
75
55
25
-
-
-
VDE0878
-
IEC-1000-4-5
5/310
8/20
-
-
FCC Part 68, lightning surge
type A
10/160
10/560
5/320
12.5
6.5
-
FCC Part 68, lightning surge
type B
1000
Bellcore TR-NWT-001089
first level
2500
1000
5000
2/10
10/1000
2/10
2/10
10/1000
2/10
150
50
11.5
10
Bellcore TR-NWT-001089
second level
150
11.5
CNET
I31-24
1000
0.5/700
0.8/310
25
-
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