Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division 1.5KE150A-E3/54

Overview

1.5KE150A-E3/54 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode designed for primary overvoltage protection of DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 1500 W peak pulse power rating (10/1000 μs), 143 V minimum breakdown voltage (V_BR), 128 V maximum standoff voltage (V_WM), 207 V clamping voltage at peak current, and operates across -55 °C to +175 °C junction temperature - deployed in automotive power supply input stages and industrial motor drive control boards.

For engineers reviewing the 1.5KE150A-E3/54 datasheet, 1.5KE150A-E3/54 pinout, 1.5KE150A-E3/54 application, or 1.5KE150A-E3/54 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, thermal derating behavior, clamping performance under surge conditions, RoHS-compliant packaging details, and direct alternative part comparisons for ESD/lightning transient protection design validation.

Technical Context

This unidirectional TVS diode uses a glass-passivated silicon junction to achieve sub-nanosecond response time (<1 ns) and low incremental surge resistance. Its clamping action begins at 143 V (min) and limits transient energy to ≤207 V at 7.2 A peak pulse current (I_PPM), with 1.0 mA test current defining V_BR.

Thermal performance is defined by R_θJA = 75 °C/W and R_θJL = 15.4 °C/W, supporting operation up to 175 °C junction temperature. The device complies with JEDEC standards for surge testing (8.3 ms half-sine, 200 A I_FSM) and meets JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

1.5KE150A-E3/54 is housed in a DO-201AD package (Case Style 1.5KE), featuring axial leads with cathode band marking. The molded epoxy case meets UL 94 V-0 flammability rating; matte tin-plated leads comply with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 solderability standards.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.

Compared with 1.5KE150A-E3/54, SMBJ150A trades 33 % lower surge power for compactness, while 1.5SMC150A matches power rating but shifts to SMT packaging with superior thermal resistance - enabling higher sustained surge duty cycles in thermally optimized layouts.

Availability

1.5KE150A-E3/54 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power systems, industrial motor drives, telecom infrastructure, and consumer power adapter designs requiring stable component supply, full traceability, and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for 1.5KE150A-E3/54 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Vishay General Semiconductor is a global leader in discrete semiconductors, specializing in diodes, rectifiers, MOSFETs, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, ruggedness, and application-specific qualification.

The 1.5KE series was engineered for high-energy transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where failure due to voltage surges must be eliminated.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of the 1.5KE150A-E3/54 under a 10/1000 μs surge?

The 1.5KE150A-E3/54 exhibits a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 207 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 7.2 A using the standardized 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per JEDEC test conditions and ensures predictable overvoltage limiting for downstream components. The 1.5KE150A-E3/54 maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range (-55 °C to +175 °C).

Is the 1.5KE150A-E3/54 RoHS compliant and lead-free?

Yes, the 1.5KE150A-E3/54 carries the "E3" suffix, indicating full RoHS compliance per Directive 2011/65/EU and exemption 7a. Its matte tin-plated leads meet J-STD-002 solderability requirements and pass JESD 201 Class 1A whisker testing. The epoxy molding compound is halogen-free and UL 94 V-0 rated. The 1.5KE150A-E3/54 contains no lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE.

Does the 1.5KE150A-E3/54 have automotive qualification?

The base 1.5KE150A-E3/54 is commercial-grade; however, the AEC-Q101-qualified variant is designated 1.5KE150AHE3_B (with "HE3" and revision code). That version undergoes stress testing per AEC-Q101 including HTGB, HTRB, and temperature cycling. The 1.5KE150A-E3/54 itself is widely used in automotive applications but requires validation per customer-specific requirements - the 1.5KE150AHE3_B is the certified alternative.

What is the thermal resistance of the 1.5KE150A-E3/54?

The 1.5KE150A-E3/54 has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (R_θJA) of 75 °C/W and a junction-to-lead resistance (R_θJL) of 15.4 °C/W, measured under standard JEDEC conditions (PCB mount, 0.375" lead length). These values define its ability to dissipate 6.5 W continuous power at T_L = 75 °C. Derating is required above 25 °C ambient, per Figure 5 in the Vishay datasheet 88301. The 1.5KE150A-E3/54's thermal performance supports high-reliability operation in enclosed enclosures.

How does the 1.5KE150A-E3/54 differ from bidirectional TVS diodes like 1.5KE150CA?

The 1.5KE150A-E3/54 is unidirectional and functions only in reverse bias - it conducts during negative transients relative to its cathode. In contrast, 1.5KE150CA provides symmetrical clamping for AC signals or floating rails. The 1.5KE150A-E3/54 offers tighter V_BR tolerance (143–158 V) and lower leakage at V_WM, while 1.5KE150CA has identical power rating but dual-directional breakdown. Use 1.5KE150A-E3/54 on DC rails with defined polarity; use 1.5KE150CA for data lines or transformer-coupled interfaces.