The CM1293 family of diode arrays has been designed to provide ESD protection for electronic components or sub-systems requiring minimal capacitive loading. These devices are ideal for protecting systems with high data and clock rates or for circuits requiring low capacitive loading. Each ESD channel consists of a pair of diodes in series which steer the positive or negative ESD current pulse to either the positive (VP) or negative (VN) supply rail. A Zener diode is embedded between VP and VN, offering two advantages. First, it protects the VCC rail against ESD strikes, and second, it eliminates the need for a bypass capacitor that would otherwise be needed for absorbing positive ESD strikes to ground. The CM1293 will protect against ESD pulses up to (15kV air, 8kV contact discharge) per the IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 standard.