Littelfuse "ML" Multilayer Surface Mount Surge Suppressors

Littelfuse produces four families of multilayer suppressors: the ML, MLE, MLN and AUML. While much of the information presented here is generic to all four, this note focuses on the ML version. Modern electronic circuits can be vulnerable to damage from voltage transient overstresses. The progress in the development of faster ICs with higher levels of integration can be accompanied by an increase in vulnerability. Figure 1 shows relative damage susceptibility of some commonly used components, including discrete semiconductors and integrated circuits. The voltage, current, or power seen by a device must be below the failure threshold of the device. The magnitude of any voltage transient is determined by the nature of the source, the characteristic impedance of the circuit and the resistance and inductance between the source of the transient and the device.