SN75LBC184: How to improve ESD protection?

Samer Abbas

Part Number: SN75LBC184

We have a PCB where SN75LBC184 is being used as a RS-485 transceiver. The layout is as per application guidelines, but we are seeing some issues with our customers where SN75LBC184 is getting damaged by ESD. How can we improve the ESD protection on SN75LBC184?

Thank you

over 4 years ago

0 Max Robertson over 4 years ago

TI__Guru 62910 points

Samer,

Adding a TVS diode is the usual method of improving ESD tolerance. You can reference this blog to learn how to pair a TVS with a transceiver:

https://e2e.ti.com/blogs_/b/industrial_strength/archive/2017/11/13/how-to-choose-a-tvs-diode-for-rs-232-rs-485-and-can-based-on-voltage-ratings

This device has fairly robust ESD protection integrated internally, though. Are you sure the failures were due to ESD rather than some other kind of over-stress condition like a high-voltage short-circuit?

Regards,
Max

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SN75LBC184: How to improve ESD protection?