Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation 1V5KE220CA

Overview

1V5KE220CA from Taiwan Semiconductor is a bidirectional 1500W transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-201 package, with breakdown voltage 209–231 V at 1 mA test current, reverse stand-off voltage 185 V, clamping voltage 328 V at 4.6 A peak pulse current, and junction temperature range −55°C to +175°C. It protects power rails and signal lines in industrial motor drives and AC/DC front-end circuits against EFT and lightning-induced surges.

For engineers reviewing the 1V5KE220CA datasheet, 1V5KE220CA pinout, 1V5KE220CA application, or 1V5KE220CA equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping performance at 220 V nominal, low incremental surge resistance, sub-1 μA leakage above 185 V, and UL 94V-0 molded case compliance for high-reliability board-level surge protection.

Technical Context

The 1V5KE220CA operates as a silicon avalanche diode with glass-passivated junction, enabling fast response (<1 ns) to transients and stable clamping under repetitive 10/1000 µs waveform stress. Its bidirectional symmetry ensures identical V_BR, V_C, and I_PPM characteristics in both polarities.

Designed for unclamped inductive switching and electrical fast transient (EFT) immunity per IEC 61000-4-4, it delivers 1500 W peak pulse power at T_p = 1 ms with thermal derating to 5 W continuous at 75°C lead temperature, supported by JESD201 Class 2 whisker-resistant pure tin plating.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DO-201 package: axial-leaded, cylindrical epoxy-molded body with cathode band marking for unidirectional variants; 1V5KE220CA is bidirectional and marked without polarity band. Leads are pure tin-plated, solderable per J-STD-002, and pass JESD201 Class 2 whisker testing.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMBJ220CA and 1N6297A, the 1V5KE220CA provides higher surge power headroom in through-hole format and precise 220 V clamping-critical for 230 V AC mains interfaces where tighter voltage coordination with MOVs and fuses is required.

Availability

1V5KE220CA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, smart metering infrastructure, and outdoor LED lighting systems requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle availability.

Supply support for 1V5KE220CA 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

Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation (TSC) is a vertically integrated analog and discrete semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, specializing in power devices, TVS diodes, and rectifiers since 1979.

The 1V5KE series was developed for high-energy transient suppression in industrial and utility-grade equipment, emphasizing ruggedness, repeatable clamping, and compliance with global safety and environmental standards.

FAQ

What does the 'CA' suffix indicate in 1V5KE220CA?

The 'CA' suffix denotes a bidirectional configuration: the 1V5KE220CA conducts avalanche breakdown symmetrically in both forward and reverse directions, making it suitable for AC line protection and differential signal clamping. Unlike unidirectional variants (e.g., 1V5KE220A), it has no cathode band marking and exhibits identical V_BR, V_C, and I_PPM specifications for positive and negative polarity transients. This behavior is confirmed in the Electrical Specifications table on page 2 of the TSC D2112 datasheet.

What is the maximum clamping voltage of 1V5KE220CA under surge conditions?

The maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of the 1V5KE220CA is 328 V, measured at a peak pulse current (I_PPM) of 4.6 A using the standard 10/1000 µs double-exponential waveform. This value is guaranteed across the full operating temperature range and represents the upper limit of voltage seen by protected circuitry during a worst-case surge event. The 1V5KE220CA achieves this with low incremental resistance, minimizing overshoot beyond the specified V_C.

Can 1V5KE220CA be used in surface-mount designs?

No, the 1V5KE220CA is exclusively offered in the through-hole DO-201 axial package and is not available in surface-mount variants. For SMT implementation, engineers should consider functionally similar alternatives such as SMBJ220CA (SMB package, 600 W) or SMCJ220CA (SMC package, 1500 W), which share the same 220 V nominal rating but differ in thermal performance and PCB footprint. The 1V5KE220CA requires axial lead mounting with ≥0.375 inch lead length for rated power dissipation.

How does 1V5KE220CA compare to MOV-based surge protection?

The 1V5KE220CA offers faster response time (<1 ns vs. ~20–50 ns for MOVs), tighter voltage tolerance (±5% V_BR vs. ±10–20% for MOVs), and no degradation after repeated surges-unlike MOVs, which wear out with each event. While MOVs handle higher total energy, the 1V5KE220CA excels in precision clamping for sensitive downstream ICs. In hybrid protection schemes, the 1V5KE220CA is often staged after an MOV to provide secondary, low-clamp protection for 1V5KE220CA-critical control circuitry.

Is 1V5KE220CA compliant with RoHS and halogen-free requirements?

Yes, the 1V5KE220CA is RoHS compliant and halogen-free per IEC 61249-2-21, as explicitly stated in the Features section of the TSC D2112 datasheet. The molding compound contains no brominated flame retardants or chlorine-based additives, and the pure tin-plated leads meet J-STD-002 solderability requirements. These attributes make the 1V5KE220CA suitable for export to EU, Japan, and other regulated markets requiring strict material declarations.