Transient-voltage-suppression diode

TVS diode
STMicroelectronics Transil TVS devices
Component typePassive
Working principleavalanche breakdown
Electronic symbol

Top is unidirectional, bottom is bidirectional.

A transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diode, also transil, transorb or thyrector, is an electronic component used to protect electronics from voltage spikes induced on connected wires.