9.1 Application Information

The ESD224 is a diode type TVS which is used to provide a path to ground for dissipating ESD events on high-speed signal lines between a human interface connector and a system. As the current from ESD passes through the TVS, only a small voltage drop is present across the diode. Part of this voltage drop across the diode drops across the series element between the connector side pin and the system-side pin. Therefore, the effective voltage drop across the protected IC is smaller than the voltage drop across the diode. It is recommended to avoid through-routing for this ESD diode (single trace connecting both the connector side pin and the system side pin) for the best ESD performance.