A transient voltage suppressor (TVS) is constructed as an NPN bipolar transistor including individually optimized collector-base and emitter-base junctions both with avalanche mode breakdown. The TVS device is constructed using a base that includes a lightly doped base region bordered by a pair of more heavily doped base regions. The two more heavily doped base regions are used to form the collector-base junction and the emitter-base junction both as avalanche breakdown junctions. The lightly doped base region between the collector-base and emitter-base doping regions ensures low leakage current in the TVS device. In this manner, the TVS bipolar transistor of the present invention provides high surge protection with robust clamping while ensuring low leakage current.