ESD204DQAR - Quad 0.55pF ±3.6V ESD TVS Diode | Texas Instruments
MPN: ESD204DQAR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.19 | $0.19 |
| 10 | $0.16 | $1.60 |
| 100 | $0.13 | $13.00 |
| 500 | $0.11 | $55.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.09 | $90.00 |
ESD204DQAR Overview
A TVS (transient voltage suppressor) ESD protection diode is a clamping device placed on sensitive signal lines to divert electrostatic-discharge and cable-surge energy away from downstream ICs. Within the power and signal-integrity hierarchy, it belongs to the TVS diode family, which sits under surge protectors, a subset of circuit-protection components. Arrays such as the ESD204 protect multiple lines simultaneously, which is essential for differential interfaces like USB and HDMI where paired lines must be clamped symmetrically to preserve signal balance.
Key features of the ESD204DQAR include ultra-low 0.55 pF junction capacitance, which minimizes signal-eye degradation on multi-gigabit links; ±30 kV ESD contact and air-gap robustness per IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4; a low clamping voltage of approximately 11.5 V (typical) at surge current; and bidirectional construction, so no polarity concerns arise on AC-coupled or differential lines.
Architecturally, the four bidirectional TVS channels share a common reference, and the flow-through 10-USON footprint lets traces pass straight through the device, reducing stub length and impedance discontinuity. This flow-through routing is one reason the part is favored on HDMI and USB ports where every millimeter of stub affects the eye diagram at 480 Mbps and beyond.
Typical applications include USB 2.0 port protection, HDMI 1.4 interface clamping, and general-purpose high-speed differential or single-ended line protection on industrial and consumer boards. Its low capacitance and low clamping voltage make it a natural fit wherever a designer must protect a port without visibly closing the signal eye.
Design-wise, keep the ESD204DQAR within 5 mm of the connector and place it before any downstream series elements; the ground return path to the board plane should be short and wide to keep the clamping loop inductance low during an 8/20 µs surge.
This page adds value beyond the manufacturer datasheet by consolidating distributor pricing, drop-in alternative analysis, and practical layout guidance in one place.
Drop-in alternatives for ESD204DQAR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ESD204DQAR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Clamping Voltage, Typical Applications.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
TPD4E05U06DQAR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.036 / Unit
View Datasheet →ESD204DQAR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Configuration | Quad-channel bidirectional TVS array |
| Operating Voltage (bidirectional) | ±3.6 V |
| Junction Capacitance | 0.55 pF |
| Peak Surge Current Ipp (8/20 µs) | 5.5 A |
| Clamping Voltage | 11.5 V (typical) at 5.5 A (8/20 µs) |
| ESD Rating - IEC 61000-4-2 | ±30 kV (Level 4, contact and air gap) |
| Number of Channels | 4 |
| Package | 10-USON (2.5 mm x 1 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Polarity | Bidirectional |
| Typical Applications | USB, HDMI surge and ESD protection |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Manufacturer | Texas Instruments |
ESD204DQAR 10-uson (2.5 mm x 1 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ESD204DQAR (10-uson (2.5 mm x 1 mm) package). This power device features gate, drain, and source terminals. For non-polarized packages, refer to the manufacturer datasheet for exact pin 1 orientation and footprint details. Common applications include power supply design, motor driving, and load switching.
No detailed pinout data available for ESD204DQAR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ESD204DQAR is suitable for 6 applications: USB 2.0 Port Protection, HDMI Interface Protection, Industrial Fieldbus and RS-485 Port Protection, Automotive Infotainment USB Ports, Set-Top Box and Consumer Electronics High-Speed Ports, Test and Measurement Instrument I/O Protection.
USB 2.0 Port Protection
The ESD204DQAR is a natural fit for USB 2.0 port protection because its 0.55 pF channel capacitance introduces negligible loading on the 480 Mbps D+/D- differential pair, while its ±3.6 V bidirectional working voltage matches the 3.3 V USB signaling domain with margin. In a typical circuit, the D+ and D- lines route through two array channels placed within a few millimeters of the USB receptacle, and the flow-through 10-USON (2.5 mm x 1 mm) footprint lets the pair pass straight through, minimizing stub length. During an IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 event (±30 kV), the device clamps the strike to roughly 11.5 V typical at 5.5 A (8/20 µs), safely below the downstream transceiver's abs-max rating. The main design consideration is a short, wide ground return to the board plane to keep loop inductance low.
Recommended
HDMI Interface Protection
HDMI TMDS pairs are among the most ESD-exposed and most capacitance-sensitive nets in consumer electronics, and the ESD204DQAR addresses both constraints: 0.55 pF per channel preserves the eye at HDMI data rates, and the quad-channel array clamps matched pairs symmetrically, which protects intra-pair skew and common-mode balance. The bidirectional construction suits the AC-coupled, swing-centered TMDS signaling with no polarity concerns. TI explicitly targets HDMI surge protection in the ESD204 datasheet, rating the part to IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 (±30 kV contact and air gap) with 5.5 A (8/20 µs) surge capability. Place the array directly at the HDMI receptacle with via-in-pad or short fan-out to ground; the low clamping voltage of approximately 11.5 V typical keeps residual stress on the downstream HDMI transmitter within safe limits.
Recommended
Industrial Fieldbus and RS-485 Port Protection
Industrial RS-485 and fieldbus connectors face cable-discharge and induced-surge events from long wiring runs, making them classic applications for a surge-rated ESD array. The ESD204DQAR's 5.5 A (8/20 µs) Ipp rating gives meaningful energy absorption beyond ordinary 1-2 A ESD diodes, and the ±3.6 V bidirectional clamping suits the differential A/B lines of RS-485 transceivers. Pairing it with an isolated transceiver such as the TI ISO1050DUB provides galvanic isolation plus a low-capacitance first-stage clamp at the connector - a defense-in-depth topology recommended in TI surge-protection reference designs. Its IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 (±30 kV) rating covers handling ESD during board assembly and service. Because the 10-USON package is only 2.5 mm x 1 mm, it fits the constrained connector area typical of industrial I/O modules.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment USB Ports
Automotive head units and infotainment modules expose USB ports to passengers and charging cables, producing both severe ESD events and cable-surge transients. The ESD204DQAR's combination of IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 robustness (±30 kV) and 5.5 A (8/20 µs) surge handling addresses the cable-discharge energy seen in these environments, while 0.55 pF capacitance keeps USB 2.0 eye masks passing with margin. The array's four channels cover both USB ports' D+/D- pairs in a single 2.5 mm x 1 mm footprint, simplifying BOM and placement on the connector board. System MCUs such as TI-recommended automotive-adjacent processors handle port control behind the protection. Layout remains the dominant factor: place the array within 5 mm of the receptacle and provide a solid, unbroken ground plane under the clamp loop for lowest residual clamping voltage.
Recommended
Set-Top Box and Consumer Electronics High-Speed Ports
Set-top boxes, media players, and smart-home hubs concentrate multiple high-speed external ports - USB host, HDMI output, and sometimes Ethernet - in a small connector area with high ESD exposure from user cable handling. The ESD204DQAR consolidates protection for two differential pairs per device, and its flow-through routing suits the straight-through trace topology common on these boards. With ±3.6 V working voltage and 0.55 pF capacitance, it protects USB 2.0 and HDMI lanes without measurable eye closure at consumer data rates. The 11.5 V typical clamp at 5.5 A (8/20 µs) absorbs surge energy that would otherwise reach the SoC's PHY pins. Cost matters in consumer designs, and at roughly $0.09-$0.13 per unit in volume as of 2026-10-21, the ESD204 is an economical choice for multi-port protection schemes.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrument I/O Protection
Bench instruments, data loggers, and distributed sensor nodes frequently expose USB or custom differential ports to unknown cable conditions, and a damaged front-end PHY is a costly field failure. The ESD204DQAR provides a low-capacitance (0.55 pF) first line of defense rated to IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 (±30 kV) with 5.5 A (8/20 µs) surge absorption - sufficient headroom for laboratory cable-discharge events. The bidirectional ±3.6 V rating accommodates the signal swings of 3.3 V logic families, and precision instruments benefit from the array's matched channel capacitance when protecting differential measurement pairs. Placement at the connector with a low-inductance ground return keeps the clamp effective at the fast edge rates of ESD events. For mixed-signal instruments, combine the ESD204 at the port with downstream level translators such as the SN74LVC8T245PW for an additional robustness layer.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ESD204DQAR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | TPD4E05U06DQAR |
|---|---|---|
| Package | 10-USON (2.5x1) | 10-USON (2.5x1) - same |
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Working Voltage | ±3.6 V | 5 V |
| Junction Capacitance | 0.55 pF | 0.5 pF |
| Channels | 4 | 4 |
| Polarity | Bidirectional | Unidirectional (flow-through) |
| Surge Current (8/20 µs) | 5.5 A | 1 A |
| ESD Rating (IEC 61000-4-2) | ±30 kV (Level 4) | ±15 kV (air/contact, per datasheet) |
| Typical Application | USB, HDMI surge + ESD | USB, general high-speed ESD |
Key Differentiators
- Higher surge capability for external-connector use (vs TPD4E05U06DQAR)
- Bidirectional clamping for AC-coupled pairs (vs TPD4E05U06DQAR)
- Flow-through routing with matched channels (vs TPD4E05U06DQAR)
Design Notes
Place the ESD204DQAR as close to the USB or HDMI connector as physically possible - ideally within 5 mm of the receptacle pins - and protect the connector before any series resistors or common-mode chokes. The 10-USON flow-through footprint is designed for straight-through trace routing: enter one side, exit the other, with no stubs. Stubs on high-speed differential pairs create impedance discontinuities that reflect energy and close the eye diagram, defeating the purpose of a 0.55 pF low-capacitance device.
The clamping performance of any TVS diode is dominated by ground return inductance, not the diode itself. Estimated: a 3 mm ground trace adds roughly 3 nH of inductance; during a fast ESD edge (approximately 1 ns rise) at 10 A, this alone contributes on the order of L*di/dt = 3 nH x 10 A/ns = 30 V of overshoot. Use at least two ground vias directly at the GND pads, or via-in-pad, tying to an unbroken plane. This single layout decision has a larger impact on residual clamping voltage than device selection.
Match the working voltage to the protected domain: the ESD204DQAR is a ±3.6 V bidirectional device. Do not place it on 5 V-tolerant lines such as USB VBUS or legacy TTL rails - use TI TPD4E05U06 (5 V working) for those nets instead. Also note that per-channel capacitance adds in parallel if multiple arrays share a line; on multi-drop buses, sum the capacitances and re-run the eye-margin check. Finally, verify the specific package variant on your drawing: the ESD204 family includes multiple USON outlines, and the DQAR suffix corresponds to the 10-USON 2.5 mm x 1 mm body.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance indicated by distributor listings (DigiKey/Mouser). AEC-Q100 qualification not stated in provided data for this part.
