An MLV has two states: an off state and a clamping state. During the clamping state the MLV acts like a bi-directional TVS clamp. In the off state the MLV acts as a low Q EMI filter. Since it is a relatively low Q device, the EMI response is broad. The series equivalent model of the 0201 MLVs is shown here. Note that “Rp” > 10TΩ, “Ron” < 0.1Ω, “Lb” is common to MLCCs, “Cp” is specified in the TransGuard data sheet, and “Rv” is the voltage dependant element.

