As 48V architectures become standard across electric and hybrid vehicles, e-mobility platforms, and industrial power systems, the components protecting those circuits need to keep pace. Kyocera AVX has expanded its TransGuard® VT Series with a new family of multilayer varistors (MLVs) purpose-built for 48V automotive power supplies — and Amar Radio Corporation now stocks them for engineers designing circuit protection into next-generation vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Why This Launch Matters
TransGuard VT Series was already the industry's first MLV line rated for 175°C continuous operation. The new 48V-system variants extend that reliability to a fast-growing segment: electric passenger and commercial vehicles, e-bikes, e-scooters, golf carts, and their charging stations, all of which depend on 48V rails that face constant exposure to load dumps, jump-start surges, and ESD events.
These are zinc-oxide (ZnO) ceramic semiconductor devices that combine two functions in one compact surface-mount package: bidirectional overvoltage clamping and EMI/RFI attenuation. Designers can use a single MLV in place of discrete MLCCs, trimming both bill-of-materials cost and board space.
Key Specifications
The new 48V System VT Series MLVs are qualified to AEC-Q200 and VDA-320, and rated as follows:
- Case sizes: 0805, 1206, 1210, 1812, and 2220 (EIA)
- Working voltage: 56VDC or 40VAC
- Clamping voltage: 100–110V
- Jump-start rating: 48V
- Peak current: 30–1,500A
- Energy rating: 0.2–9J
- Capacitance: 80–2,800pF
- Operating range: -55°C to +150°C, with zero derating across the full range
Across the broader TransGuard VT Series line (six case sizes, 0603–2220), ratings span 12–56VDC / 4–40VAC working voltage, 32–110V clamping, 20–2,150A peak current, 0.1–9.0J transients, and 60–2,800pF capacitance, with two temperature grades: 150°C (VTA3) and 175°C (VTA7).
Built for Harsh Environments
Every part in the series carries Class 6 HBM ESD protection — withstanding surges beyond 25,000V — and MSL 1 moisture sensitivity, meaning unlimited floor life with no bake-out required before reflow. Select part numbers, including several 48V variants, are also available with Kyocera AVX's FLEXITERM® terminations, engineered to survive up to 5mm of board flexure and 3,000 temperature cycles to 150°C — three times the AEC-Q200 requirement of 1,000 cycles at 125°C.
All parts use RoHS-compliant, 100% matte-tin terminations over a nickel barrier and ship on tape and reel in 1,000, 4,000, or 10,000-piece quantities.
Where These MLVs Fit
Typical applications include under-hood electronics, AC/DC motors and engines, radiators, relays, jump-start events, uninterruptible power supplies, and even down-hole drilling equipment — anywhere designers need reliable transient protection at sustained high temperatures without derating.
For 48V systems specifically, the target applications are electric and hybrid vehicles, e-bikes, e-scooters, golf carts, and EV charging stations.
“Our tested and proven TransGuard VT Series high-temperature, automotive-grade MLVs provide excellent bidirectional overvoltage protection and EMI/RFI attenuation in a single SMT package, have the highest rated operating temperatures in the MLV industry, and don't require any derating over the specified temperature range,” said Perrin Hardee, Product Marketing Manager at Kyocera AVX. “They're also extremely reliable and cost-effective. So, we're very excited [to] extend the series' cost and performance advantages to our customers in the automotive industry with the release of the new VT Series MLVs for 48V systems.”
Sourcing TransGuard VT Series MLVs from Amar Radio Corporation
As an authorized distributor for leading global component manufacturers, Amar Radio Corporation makes it easy to source Kyocera AVX's TransGuard VT Series — including the new 48V-system MLVs — along with full datasheets, technical specifications, and application support. Browse the catalog on our e-commerce platform or reach out to our technical team to find the right part number for your design.