Protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) for electronic circuits, with numerous series-connected diodes for limiting voltage heterodyned onto useful voltage

摘要

ESD protection (100) limits voltage heterodyned to useful voltage to permissible level and comprises numerous series-connected diodes (106), which are poled in flow direction, related to useful voltage, with sum of activating voltages of diodes corresponding to permissible voltage. Preferably permissible voltage is of same polarity as useful voltage. Typically number of series-connected diodes is so chosen that permissible voltage is less than blocking voltage of individual diode.