# Choosing the diode for protecting an ADCs inputs

I am designing a a board based on a microcontroller that have differential analog pins. The data sheet says that although the MCU's ADCs are internally protected against ESD strikes I must still take care to prevent the the input does not exceed the voltage and current limits of the pins which is Vcc (3.3 V) and +- 10mA. I am also planning to tie the Vref to 1.5 V. The analog pins will be both used in single ended and differential mode depending on the situation.

Doing a bit of reading, the conventional way seems to be placing diodes.

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

Since my Vref is set to 1.5 volts anything beyond that and cutting it beyond 3.3 V would destroy the pin. So anything in between should where diode cut-off the voltage. Would say at 2.5 V would be good point? But looking for parts I'm greeted by three identical sounding specifications Reverse Standoff, Breakdown, Clamping. Which specification is the one I should look at?

For current, since assuming we successfully find a part that will keep the input voltage at 2.5 V I should also adjust R1 and R2 so that it won't exceed 10mA.

R = V/I
R = 2.5/0.010
R = 250 Ohms


It should not be less than 250 ohms. Am I approaching this correctly?

• To improve ESD protection you put low pF TVS’s after the 50 Ohms which is chosen to match the cable impedance.in order to limit current and rise time. May 20, 2020 at 20:52
• What ADC is it you are proposing to use? May 21, 2020 at 8:57
• @TonyStewartSunnyskyguyEE75 I would like to protect the PINS from overvoltage/overcurrent by the user too. May 21, 2020 at 9:28
• @Andyaka there is no ADC IC, im referring to the mCUs internal adc, I cannot give the exact model as its not finalized yet but its would be from KM3x or KL family May 21, 2020 at 9:34

The practical ESD protection design. We know that for 40 yrs, all CMOS has a latchup effect. That is when the input exceeds either rail by 0.4~0.5V enough to trigger a high impedance SCR substrate and latch the power supply thru RdsOn in the substrate Vdd to Vss.

The solution has always been to use cascade bulk resistors around 10k and Schottky diodes after each of 2 series current limiting resistors to meet the 3kV minimum specs for the HBM.

There are models for human fingers and carts, but not the capacitance of cables with 30pF/ft. So the discharge of a floating cable connection can be far more SERIOUS than a finger.

Thus to add this type of additional protection I assert all you need is to cascade another 10k series R and diode pair or TVS diodes if you prefer.

I included a logical ideal switch with 0pF and 0 Ohms to allow you to see the difference in signal voltages and component voltages (differential) and current. When you point at the plot the corresponding test point lights up in aqua colour.

We used to blow up SCSI ports in production final test with long cables until I implemented ESD safe practices in '85 due to this problem.

I used 10kV 10% with an RC coupling impedance and CMOS input circuit with 200kHz rep rate just for convenience to display it.

Slow down the interactive simulation with the slider to suit your preference.

• I like how you used a common and cheap 1n5711, if i am going to use your circuit good sir, for my application although protection wise the circuit is enough, for my adc the Vref is 1.5v and i would like to read a bit more than that, so i will need a voltage divider, at which section should it placed? May 21, 2020 at 19:24
• Also 1n5711 are subbjected to 100+ Amps are those diode going to survive? May 21, 2020 at 19:41
• Note the series resistance limits the voltage drop and current in each stage. the 1st stage can be TVS or power diodes or anything, if capacitance does not matter. May 21, 2020 at 22:38
• Oh the hundred amps is because of the 50 ohm resistor. What would happen if we raise the 10k resistor to 100k? wont that pretty much lower the current? May 21, 2020 at 23:18

So most of the terms are mostly self-explanatory, they are just sorta hidden in the context of how these TVS diodes work. Use of reverse in only one term also confuses the issue. All of these terms are in the "reverse" direction. That is to say a more positive voltage on the cathode than on the anode.

Reverse standoff Voltage

This is the maximum voltage that you can apply to the diode in the "reverse direction" before any significant amount of current will flow through the diode. Basically anything less than this, and the diode isn't there.

Breakdown Voltage

Is higher than Reverse standoff Voltage and is the voltage at which some significant amount of current begins to flow. The current that flows will be specified in the datasheet. Make sure that this current is not so high that it will significantly load the signal that you are trying to read with your ADC.

Clamping Voltage

Higher still than the breakdown voltage. Now the TVS diode is in full swing, lots-o-current will flow after you reach this threshold. So much so that the voltage on your input lines will find it difficult to go above this voltage. Hence clamping voltage. This is likely the voltage at which the diode is rated.

BUT NOTE: Even though the diode is rated at the clamping voltage and sold as a "2.5v" diode, current starts flowing all the way down at the breakdown voltage. Be mindful of this.

• So if i were to choose, My RSV should be higher than my 1.5v, lets say 2v. because i do not want it to start conducting at 1.5v. BV would be higher thatn RVP lets say 2.5v. and Clamping at 3v because we dont want anything beyond 3.3 as it would damage the pin. Am I correct? May 21, 2020 at 9:38

I must still take care to prevent the the input does not exceed the voltage and current limits of the pins which is Vcc (3.3 V) and +- 10mA.

Here's where you may have missed a trick.

You have series protection resistors R1 and R2 at 50 ohms - they will limit the current into the MCU analogue pins on both positive and negative excursions. If the current limit is 10 mA and the resistor is 50 ohms, the maximum positive safe voltage that can be applied to the left of those resistors is defined by ohms law: -

$$I_{IN_{MAX}} = \dfrac{V_{IN_{MAX}}- \text{3.3 volts}}{R_{IN}}$$

So this becomes: -

$$V_{IN_{MAX}}=I_{IN_{MAX}}\cdot R_{IN} + \text{3.3 volts}$$

With 10 mA and 50 ohm, $$\V_{IN_{MAX}}=\$$ 3.8 volts.

This doesn't leave much headroom to apply a TVS protection diode at the input so, if the series resistor was 500 ohm instead of 50 ohm, you'd have a maximum input voltage of 8.3 volts and it becomes much easier to find a TVS that will do the job.

This allows you to pick a TVS with a stand-off voltage of around 3 volts. The stand-off voltage will mean that it draws no appreciable current at normal signal levels. The breakdown and clamping specifications now can be up to 8.3 volts (higher if R1 and R2 are greater than 500 ohms).

So, if you opt for a TVS diode that you think might do the job, let me know and I'll walk you through the data sheet so see what sort of surge current it can handle before the input voltages to the MCU might become excessive.

It does eventually come down to handling surge currents though - you have to decide what standard of ESD/surge protection your circuit is intending to comply with because that surge spec will define the peak pulse voltage and the duration and the surge impedance. Your TVS has to meet those requirements.

• Thank you I will take you on that offer, but before i look for a diode. I plan on placing a voltage divider on the Input nodes for me to able to read voltages higher than the Vref, maybe upto 12 or 24 volts peak. Schematic. would that affect anything? Having the switch i think makes things complicated May 21, 2020 at 10:36
• This isn't related to your question (above) is it? If it is then don't try and utilize protection resistors R1 and R2 as part of the attenuator. the switching attenuator happens to the left of your original circuit as an add-on. If you didn't do it this way you'd have to change TVS diodes each time you changed gain and that would be really poor. May 21, 2020 at 10:38
• It is, because Vref is only 1.5v i wont be able to read (3.3v or 5v) signals that are common, so i have to divide it down. would placing the diode after the divider help ? Schematic using this one with a clamp of 3v thus protecting the pin from over voltage? May 21, 2020 at 11:20
• Have you ever upvoted an answer on the basis that you are getting good design advice? May 21, 2020 at 11:26