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.