⚠️ The Problem

In automotive and industrial circuits, a load dump happens when a large load like a battery is suddenly disconnected. This causes a voltage spike (up to 60V in a 12V system!) that can instantly damage sensitive electronics. It’s a common but preventable issue in power electronics.

✅ The Solution

You can protect your circuits using a TVS diode or a MOSFET-based clamp that limits the voltage surge. A MOSFET with a zener on the gate can turn on quickly during a spike, shunting excess energy away and keeping your system safe.

🧰 Practical Example

Imagine you’re designing a custom car dashboard with a microcontroller powered from a 12V supply. If the car battery gets disconnected while the alternator is active, the microcontroller can be fried. Adding a P-channel MOSFET with a 16V zener clamp safely redirects excess voltage.

📐 Sample Calculation

Let’s say the load normally runs at 12V and your protection circuit clamps at 16V.

If a spike reaches 50V and lasts 1ms, and your circuit draws 1A:

Energy dumped = (50V – 16V) × 1A × 0.001s = 34mJ

Choose components that can safely handle this energy.

🛒 Product Recommendation

Use Made in India components for robust circuit protection:

• [P-Channel MOSFETs]

• [TVS Diodes]

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