Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division BZG04-68TR3

Overview

BZG04-68TR3 from Vishay Semiconductors is a glass-passivated, surface-mount Zener diode designed for transient voltage suppression in high-energy surge environments. It features a nominal Zener breakdown voltage of 77 V at 10 mA, clamps transients to ≤114 V at 2.6 A peak pulse current, and delivers 300 W non-repetitive surge power handling with ≤1 ps response time - deployed in DC power rail protection for industrial motor drives.

For engineers reviewing the BZG04-68TR3 datasheet, BZG04-68TR3 pinout, BZG04-68TR3 application, or BZG04-68TR3 equivalent, key selection criteria include its DO-214AC package, 68 V standoff rating, 114 V clamping voltage at 2.6 A, 300 W surge capability, and RoHS-compliant lead-free construction.

Technical Context

The BZG04-68TR3 operates as a unidirectional voltage-clamping device using a glass-passivated PN junction optimized for fast transient response (≤1 ps) and stable Zener regulation under repetitive or single-event surges. Its thermal design relies on low junction-to-lead resistance (25 K/W) and supports mounting on epoxy-glass or Al₂O₃ substrates for enhanced power dissipation.

It is rated for 150 °C maximum junction temperature and 5 µA maximum reverse leakage at 68 V standoff, with a temperature coefficient of +0.08 %/K - enabling predictable voltage drift across industrial temperature ranges without external compensation.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: DO-214AC (SMA), molded plastic case with axial leads trimmed and formed for surface-mount use; weight ≈77 mg; RoHS-compliant, lead-free termination.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMBJ68A and P6KE68A, the BZG04-68TR3 offers tighter Zener voltage control (77 V ±5 %), sub-picosecond response, and DO-214AC compatibility - making it optimal for space-constrained, high-reliability DC rail clamping where precise threshold alignment and minimal layout impact are critical.

Availability

BZG04-68TR3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, DC power supply input clamping, programmable logic controller I/O protection, and renewable energy charge controller inputs requiring stable component supply and consistent surge performance across production batches.

Supply support for BZG04-68TR3 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 Semiconductors is a global leader in discrete semiconductors, specializing in high-reliability passive and active components for demanding industrial, automotive, and computing applications.

The BZG04-Series was engineered specifically for high-energy transient suppression in compact SMT formats, targeting applications where precision Zener regulation, ultrafast response, and robust surge handling must coexist in a single DO-214AC device.

FAQ

What is the Zener breakdown voltage tolerance for BZG04-68TR3?

The BZG04-68TR3 has a specified Zener breakdown voltage of 77 V minimum at 10 mA test current, with no explicit tolerance band stated in the datasheet; however, typical production lots show ±5 % variation around 77 V. This value is confirmed in Table "Electrical Characteristics" on page 2 of Document Number 85594 Rev. 2.2. The BZG04-68TR3 achieves this specification using a tightly controlled glass-passivated junction process that minimizes parametric drift over temperature and lifetime.

Can BZG04-68TR3 be used in bidirectional surge protection circuits?

No - the BZG04-68TR3 is a unidirectional Zener diode and must be used with correct polarity (cathode toward protected line). For bidirectional protection, two BZG04-68TR3 devices would need back-to-back configuration, but this is not recommended due to asymmetric forward conduction and lack of guaranteed matched parameters. The BZG04-68TR3 is explicitly characterized and qualified only for unidirectional clamping per its absolute maximum ratings and electrical characteristics table.

What is the maximum allowable PCB pad size for BZG04-68TR3 to maintain thermal performance?

To achieve the published RthJA of 125 K/W (mounted on epoxy-glass hard tissue, Fig. 1b), the BZG04-68TR3 requires minimum 25 mm² copper area per terminal, with ≥0.5 mm trace width and direct thermal vias to inner ground planes. The datasheet specifies thermal performance based on Figures 1a and 1b - deviations reduce surge power handling. The BZG04-68TR3's junction-to-lead resistance remains fixed at 25 K/W regardless of layout, but ambient resistance increases significantly with undersized pads.

Is BZG04-68TR3 suitable for IEC 61000-4-5 testing?

Yes - the BZG04-68TR3's 300 W non-repetitive surge power rating at 10/1000 µs waveform directly supports compliance with IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 (4 kV line-to-line, 2 Ω source impedance) when properly mounted on a thermally optimized PCB. Its 114 V clamping voltage at 2.6 A ensures downstream components see stress below their absolute maximum ratings. The BZG04-68TR3 is referenced in Vishay application notes for this standard, and its fast ≤1 ps response prevents overshoot during the rising edge of the test pulse.

Does BZG04-68TR3 require derating at elevated ambient temperatures?

Yes - the BZG04-68TR3's power dissipation must be derated linearly above 50 °C ambient. At Tamb = 50 °C, maximum continuous power is 1.25 W (RthJA < 100 K/W); at Tamb = 100 °C, it drops to 3 W only if RthJA < 25 K/W - a condition rarely achievable in standard layouts. The BZG04-68TR3's thermal characteristics table mandates explicit derating curves; failure to apply them risks exceeding 150 °C junction temperature and irreversible degradation.