Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division 1.5KE18A-E3/73
- Part No.:
- 1.5KE18A-E3/73
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-201AA, DO-27, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
1.5KE18A-E3/73.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 15.3VWM 25.2VC 1.5KE
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,038
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Product details
Overview
1.5KE18A-E3/73 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode designed for primary overvoltage protection in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 17.1 V to 18.9 V breakdown voltage (VBR) at 1 mA, 15.3 V maximum standoff voltage (VWM), 1.0 µA max reverse leakage at VWM, 59.5 A peak pulse current (IPPM), and clamps transients to ≤25.2 V at IPPM - used to safeguard MOSFETs and microcontrollers against inductive switching surges.
For engineers reviewing the 1.5KE18A-E3/73 datasheet, 1.5KE18A-E3/73 pinout, 1.5KE18A-E3/73 application, or 1.5KE18A-E3/73 equivalent, this device delivers 1500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs), operates from –55 °C to +175 °C, meets RoHS compliance (E3 suffix), and provides glass-passivated junction reliability for industrial and automotive front-end protection circuits.
Technical Context
This unidirectional TVS diode uses a silicon avalanche junction with glass passivation for stable breakdown and low incremental surge resistance. Its clamping response time is <1 ns, enabling effective suppression of fast-rising ESD and lightning-induced transients on power and interface lines.
It is rated for 1500 W peak pulse power under 10/1000 µs waveform at 0.01% duty cycle, derates linearly above 25 °C ambient, and exhibits a temperature coefficient of VBR of +0.089 %/°C - ensuring predictable voltage margin shift across operating temperature ranges.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VBR (min/max) | 17.1 V / 18.9 V at 1.0 mA test current - defines precise clamping onset threshold for reliable overvoltage detection |
| VWM | 15.3 V maximum - ensures no conduction during normal 12 V DC rail operation with 20% margin |
| IPPM | 59.5 A at 10/1000 µs - supports robust surge handling per IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 (1 Ω/2 Ω source impedance) |
| VC (clamping) | ≤25.2 V at IPPM - limits downstream IC stress below typical 30 V absolute maximum ratings |
| PPPM | 1500 W - enables single-device protection for 12 V systems exposed to 100 A surge currents |
| TJ range | –55 °C to +175 °C - qualified for under-hood automotive and industrial environments without derating |
| Leakage (ID) | ≤1.0 µA at VWM - avoids measurable power loss or signal distortion in low-current sensor interfaces |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-201AD (Case Style 1.5KE), axial-leaded molded epoxy body with matte tin-plated leads; compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 solderability standards. Cathode indicated by color band.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Current entry point in forward bias | Connected to ground or low-impedance return path when used in unidirectional clamp configuration |
| Cathode | Current exit point in forward bias; high-impedance terminal in reverse standby | Connected to protected line (e.g., 12 V rail); color band identifies this terminal for correct PCB orientation |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Glass-passivated junction | Ensures long-term stability of VBR and leakage under thermal cycling and humidity exposure |
| 1500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs) | Provides single-device protection against ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/5a and IEC 61000-4-5 surges without parallel staging |
| Clamping voltage ≤25.2 V at 59.5 A | Keeps protected MOSFET gate-source or MCU supply pins within safe operating area during transient events |
| –55 °C to +175 °C operating range | Supports direct placement near heat sources (e.g., power converters) without thermal derating penalties |
| E3 suffix RoHS compliance | Meets JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance and UL 94 V-0 flammability for safety-critical designs |
Applications
| Automotive Power Rail Protection | Industrial Sensor Interface Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: 12 V battery-fed control modules exposed to load dump (ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a) and alternator transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed between battery input and DC-DC converter input to clamp surges before regulation. Use Value: Limits voltage to ≤25.2 V during 59.5 A transients, preventing damage to 36 V-rated input stages while maintaining system uptime. |
Use Scenario: 4–20 mA current loop transmitters interfacing with PLC analog inputs in factory automation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TVS mounted across loop terminals to absorb induced surges from nearby motor switching or lightning coupling. Use Value: Sub-1 ns response prevents latch-up in precision op-amps and ADCs; 1.0 µA leakage avoids loop current error beyond ±0.005 mA. |
| Consumer Power Adapter Input Stage | Telecom Line Card Surge Protection |
Use Scenario: AC-DC adapter secondary-side 12 V output feeding USB-C PD controllers and PMICs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary overvoltage clamp on regulated DC output to protect downstream USB interface ICs. Use Value: Clamps 10/1000 µs surges to ≤25.2 V, staying well below 30 V absolute maximum ratings of USB-PD controllers and reducing need for secondary LDO headroom. |
Use Scenario: DSL or Ethernet line cards subjected to longitudinal surges per GR-1089-CORE and ITU-T K.20/K.21. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: First-stage unidirectional suppressor on power feed lines entering line card, upstream of PSE/PoE circuitry. Use Value: 1500 W rating handles multi-kV surges; DO-201AD package allows through-hole mounting with >5 mm creepage for reinforced isolation compliance. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ18A | DO-214AA package (SMB), 600 W PPPM, VBR = 20.0–22.2 V, VC = 29.2 V at 20.5 A | Lower power rating and higher clamping voltage; suited for space-constrained PCBs where 1500 W is not required | Select SMBJ18A only if board layout restricts axial-leaded devices and surge threat level is limited to IEC 61000-4-5 Level 2 |
| 1.5KE18CA | Bidirectional variant, same VBR range (17.1–18.9 V), identical PPPM and package, but symmetrical clamping in both polarities | Required for AC-coupled or floating signal lines (e.g., RS-485, CAN bus) where polarity reversal occurs | Choose 1.5KE18CA instead of 1.5KE18A-E3/73 only when protecting bidirectional data lines or transformer-coupled circuits |
Compared with SMBJ18A, 1.5KE18A-E3/73 delivers 2.5× higher surge power handling and lower clamping voltage for critical 12 V rail protection; versus 1.5KE18CA, it offers optimized unidirectional performance with tighter leakage and lower forward voltage - making it preferred for grounded DC power paths.
Availability
1.5KE18A-E3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power distribution, industrial sensor conditioning, telecom line card design, and consumer power adapter applications requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support.
Supply support for 1.5KE18A-E3/73 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, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, ruggedness, and AEC-Q qualification.
The 1.5KE series was engineered for high-energy transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom infrastructure where failure modes must be mitigated without compromising surge margin.
FAQ
What is the breakdown voltage tolerance of the 1.5KE18A-E3/73?
The 1.5KE18A-E3/73 has a specified breakdown voltage (VBR) range of 17.1 V to 18.9 V at 1.0 mA test current, representing a ±5.6% tolerance about the nominal 18 V rating. This tight spread ensures consistent clamping behavior across production lots and supports deterministic overvoltage margining in safety-critical designs.
Is the 1.5KE18A-E3/73 RoHS compliant and lead-free?
Yes, the 1.5KE18A-E3/73 carries the E3 suffix, indicating full RoHS compliance per Directive 2011/65/EU and exemption 7a. Its matte tin-plated leads meet JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance requirements, and the molding compound satisfies UL 94 V-0 flammability - verified in Vishay Document Number 88301.
Can the 1.5KE18A-E3/73 be used in automotive applications?
Yes, the 1.5KE18A-E3/73 is qualified for automotive use per AEC-Q101 when ordered with the HE3 suffix (e.g., 1.5KE18AHE3_B). The standard 1.5KE18A-E3/73 is commercial-grade but shares identical electrical specs and thermal performance up to +175 °C junction temperature - widely deployed in non-safety-critical automotive subsystems.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the 1.5KE18A-E3/73 at rated surge current?
The 1.5KE18A-E3/73 clamps to a maximum of 25.2 V at its rated peak pulse current (IPPM) of 59.5 A under the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per JEDEC test conditions and guarantees that protected downstream components see no more than 25.2 V during worst-case surge events.
How does the 1.5KE18A-E3/73 differ from the 1.5KE18A-E3/54?
The 1.5KE18A-E3/73 and 1.5KE18A-E3/54 share identical electrical and thermal specifications. The difference lies solely in packaging: /73 denotes 750-piece tape-and-reel on 7" diameter reel, while /54 indicates 1400-piece tape-and-reel on 13" diameter reel - both use the same DO-201AD case and E3 RoHS-compliant finish.
1.5KE18A-E3/73 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-201AA, DO-27, Axial
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Box (TB)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 15.3V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 17.1V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 25.2V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 59.5A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 1500W (1.5kW)
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 175°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- 1.5KE
1.5KE18A-E3/73 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for 1.5KE18A-E3/73 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 1.5KE18A-E3/73 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for 1.5KE18A-E3/73 reliable?
The price and inventory of 1.5KE18A-E3/73 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for 1.5KE18A-E3/73 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for 1.5KE18A-E3/73?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for 1.5KE18A-E3/73 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for 1.5KE18A-E3/73?
1.5KE18A-E3/73 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your 1.5KE18A-E3/73 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for 1.5KE18A-E3/73?
For technical support, including 1.5KE18A-E3/73 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your 1.5KE18A-E3/73 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that 1.5KE18A-E3/73 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All 1.5KE18A-E3/73 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that 1.5KE18A-E3/73 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of 1.5KE18A-E3/73?
All 1.5KE18A-E3/73 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with 1.5KE18A-E3/73, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The 1.5KE18A-E3/73 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for 1.5KE18A-E3/73:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
1.5KE18A-E3/73 Tags

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