We live in a data-driven world, and finding the right circuit protection solution for equipment that gathers and transmits data and sensor information remains a challenge. A protection design must also take into consideration the application’s environment, performance, efficiency and data rate requirements. In new and legacy RS-485, RS-422 and other differential communications protocols, a circuit protection solution must also be balanced and meet board placement and routing constraints.

Bourns offers a protection solution that makes a real difference in differential applications. It has been designed for reliable, fast, robust protection, maintains data rates, and addresses the unique needs of differential interfaces. Our circuit protection experience allows us to meet these types of challenges. In a new a white paper, ‘Designing Effective Circuit Protection for RS-485 and RS-422 Applications’, we illustrate how the Bourns^® TBU-RS Series High Speed Protectors (HSPs) protect differential communication lines.

Gone are the hours spent developing bulky solutions with optical and logical components for galvanic isolation, isolated power supplies, a plethora of diodes and resistors, and complicated solutions that require their own overvoltage protection. The white paper explains how simple it is to incorporate the TBU-RS Series HSP into an application and obtain desired results, empowering the designer to focus on the system design while remaining confident that protection requirements have been met.

Leveraging a decade of proven performance, the new TBU-RS Series HSP is a dual-channel bidirectional protector that matches the differential, bidirectional qualities of RS-422 and RS-485 interfaces. The paper also highlights the benefits this protector delivers, including the reduction in part count, footprint and routing complexity. 

Multi-stage protection is common in these interfaces, and the paper includes a guide how to select a primary protection solution based on the IEC 61000-4-5 class, peak voltage and impedance. Test results on a variety of our primary protectors with the TBU-RS Series evaluation board are also provided. The TBU-RS HSP consistently achieves sub-microsecond protection, and the paper touches on how this level of performance is possible.

You are invited to learn more about our TBU-RS Series HSP. Many of the environments where RS-422 and RS-485 interfaces operate require reliable circuit protection. At Bourns, we are committed to addressing specific threats and performance considerations designers face by introducing circuit protection technology that helps solve tough technical problems and streamline development.