August 4, 2026 / SemiMedia / — KYOCERA AVX has expanded its TransGuard® VT Series with high-temperature, automotive-grade multilayer varistors designed for 48V vehicle power systems.

TransGuard VT Series MLVs are zinc-oxide-based ceramic semiconductor devices that combine bidirectional overvoltage protection and EMI/RFI attenuation in compact surface-mount packages.

The integrated protection and filtering capabilities can reduce the need for discrete multilayer ceramic capacitors, helping manufacturers lower bill-of-materials costs and save PCB space.

The series supports operating temperatures from -55°C to +175°C without derating across the specified range. The devices are qualified to AEC-Q200, IEC 61000-4-2 and ISO 10605.

TransGuard VT Series MLVs also provide high current and energy-handling capabilities, multi-strike performance and low leakage.

The devices achieve the Class 6 human-body-model ESD classification, enabling them to withstand more than 25,000V of electrostatic discharge. They are also rated at moisture sensitivity level 1, allowing unlimited floor life under the specified conditions.

The new 48V System VT Series MLVs are designed and tested for motor vehicles equipped with 48V power supplies. They are rated for operating temperatures up to 150°C and are additionally qualified to VDA-320.

The new devices are available in five EIA chip sizes: 0805, 1206, 1210, 1812 and 2220.

Depending on the part number, they are rated for 56VDC or 40VAC working voltage, 100–110V clamping voltage and 48V jump-start conditions. Current ratings extend from 30A to 1,500A, transient-energy ratings range from 0.2J to 9J and capacitance values range from 80pF to 2,800pF.

Target applications include electric bicycles, electric scooters, golf carts, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and charging stations.

The devices can also protect automotive, industrial and transportation electronics against ESD, load dumps and voltage spikes generated by motors, engines, relays and jump starts.

Several TransGuard VT Series part numbers, including some of the new 48V models, are available with KYOCERA AVX’s FLEXITERM® terminations.

FLEXITERM technology is designed to withstand severe vibration, up to 5mm of mechanical board flexure and as many as 3,000 temperature cycles extending to 150°C.

The TransGuard VT Series uses RoHS-compliant, 100% matte-tin-plated terminations with nickel barriers. The devices are supplied in tape-and-reel packaging containing 1,000, 4,000 or 10,000 components.

The complete TransGuard VT Series is available in six case sizes spanning 0603 to 2220, with maximum operating-temperature ratings of 150°C or 175°C and working voltages ranging from 12VDC to 56VDC and 4VAC to 40VAC.