Circuit Protection

Circuit protection involves protecting the electrical circuit against conditions of overvoltage, overcurrent, and overtemperature. Hybrid protection devices are also available for circuit protection.
Overvoltage protection

A metal oxide varistor can conduct large currents when presented with a voltage above its rated voltage.
A TVS diode is a type of zener diode that can limit voltage spikes. It is also called an avalanche diode or silicon avalanche diode (SAD).
A Trisil is a type of thyristor surge protection device (TSPD). These specialized solid-state electronic devices are used in crowbar circuits to protect against overvoltage conditions.
A gas discharge tube (GDT) contains a special gas mixture trapped between two electrodes. The sealed glass container conducts electric current after becoming ionized by a high voltage spike.

Overcurrent protection

Surface-mount fuses are available to offer overcurrent protection.
Pulse Tolerant Chip Fuses have high inrush current withstanding capability and provide overcurrent protection for DC power systems.
Fast-acting chip fuses provide overcurrent protection for systems using DC power sources.
Slow-blow chip fuses help provide overcurrent protection on systems that experience large and frequent current surges as part of their normal operation.
A circuit breaker is an electrical switch that is designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit.

Overtemperature protection

Reflowable Thermal Protection (RTP) devices withstand the demanding requirements of automotive and industrial applications including shock, vibration, temperature cycling and humidity.

Hybrid protection

Metal Hybrid protection devices are capable of handling the higher voltages and battery discharge rates. It also helps provide resettable overtemperature protection in high-capacity lithium polymer and prismatic cell applications.