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STMicroelectronics BZW50-15
- Part No.:
- BZW50-15
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- R-6, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
BZW50-15.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 15VWM 35VC R6
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,892
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Product details
Overview
BZW50-15 from STMicroelectronics is a unidirectional transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode designed for primary overvoltage protection in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 15 V stand-off voltage (VRM), 16.6 V minimum breakdown voltage (VBR), 26.9 V clamping voltage (VCL) at 186 A peak pulse current (IPP), and 5000 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs). It is used in industrial power supplies, telecom interface circuits, and automotive body control modules to suppress ESD and surge events per IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 (±30 kV contact/air) and IEC 61000-4-4 Level 4 (4 kV).
For engineers reviewing the BZW50-15 datasheet, BZW50-15 pinout, BZW50-15 application, or BZW50-15 equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping voltage margin relative to protected IC VCC, peak pulse current handling under real-world surge waveforms (8/20 µs vs. 10/1000 µs), junction temperature derating above 25 °C, and R6 package thermal resistance on FR4 PCBs with defined copper area.
Technical Context
The BZW50-15 employs planar silicon junction technology optimized for low leakage (<5 µA at VRM) and high junction temperature operation up to +175 °C. Its dynamic resistance (RD = 0.046 Ω) enables tight clamping during fast transients, while its voltage temperature coefficient (αT = 8.8 × 10⁻⁴ /°C) allows predictable VBR and VCL drift across operating temperature.
It is rated for non-repetitive surge forward current up to 500 A (IFSM), supports soldering at 260 °C for 10 s, and complies with JESD22-B102 E3 and MIL-STD-750 Method 2026 for lead finish reliability. The device exhibits <1 nF junction capacitance at 1 V reverse bias, making it suitable for data line protection without signal integrity degradation.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stand-off Voltage (VRM) | 15 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before significant leakage begins. |
| Breakdown Voltage (VBR) | 16.6 V min at 1 mA - Voltage at which device enters avalanche conduction; defines turn-on threshold. |
| Clamping Voltage (VCL) | 26.9 V at 186 A (10/1000 µs) - Maximum voltage seen by protected circuit during specified surge. |
| Peak Pulse Power (PPP) | 5000 W (10/1000 µs) - Surge energy absorption capability under standard lightning waveform. |
| Leakage Current (IRM) | ≤5 µA at VRM - Ensures minimal standby power loss and no interference with high-impedance sensing nodes. |
| Junction Temperature Range | −55 °C to +175 °C - Enables deployment in under-hood automotive, industrial motor drives, and outdoor telecom enclosures. |
| Package | R6 - Axial-leaded, epoxy-molded package with matte tin-plated leads; UL94 V0 rated. |
Pinout & Package
The BZW50-15 is housed in an R6 axial package with two terminals: anode and cathode. The cathode is marked by a color band (typically black or white depending on marking layout) on the body. Lead spacing is standardized for through-hole mounting on FR4 PCBs.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Current entry terminal in forward bias; connected to ground or lower-potential rail in unidirectional TVS configuration. | Provides low-impedance path to ground during positive transients on the protected line. |
| Cathode | Current exit terminal in forward bias; connected to the line being protected (e.g., +15 V rail). | Acts as the reference node for clamping; voltage between cathode and anode is limited to VCL during surge. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| High surge robustness | 5000 W (10/1000 µs) and up to 60 kW (8/20 µs) - withstands repeated lightning-induced surges in industrial fieldbus interfaces. |
| Low clamping ratio | VCL/VBR = 26.9/16.6 ≈ 1.62 - minimizes overvoltage stress on downstream 16 V-rated ICs such as CAN transceivers or LDOs. |
| High-temperature stability | Rated for continuous operation at TJ = +175 °C - eliminates derating concerns in sealed enclosures with limited airflow. |
| Low leakage & capacitance | ≤5 µA IRM at VRM; <1 nF Cj at 1 V - preserves signal integrity on RS-485, LIN, or sensor analog outputs. |
| Lead finish reliability | Matte tin plating compliant with J-STD-002, JESD22-B102 E3, and MIL-STD-750 Method 2026 - ensures solderability and whisker resistance in long-life deployments. |
Applications
| Industrial Power Supply Protection | Automotive Body Control Module (BCM) |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12–15 V DC input rails of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) against load dump and ISO 7637-2 pulses. IC Role / Device Role: Primary overvoltage clamp placed upstream of DC-DC converters and microcontroller power inputs. Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤26.9 V, preventing latch-up or permanent damage to 16 V max-rated buck regulators and MCU VDD pins. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding LIN bus transceiver supply pins and wake-up lines in door module ECUs exposed to battery disconnection spikes. IC Role / Device Role: Unidirectional TVS tied between LIN VCC and chassis ground to absorb negative-going transients. Use Value: Withstands −100 V/100 ms load dump events while maintaining <5 µA leakage to avoid false wake-ups during sleep mode. |
| Telecom Interface Protection | Smart Meter Communication Port |
|
Use Scenario: Shielding RS-485 transceiver VCC and A/B lines in outdoor base station remote units subjected to induced lightning surges. IC Role / Device Role: Rail-to-rail clamping device on 15 V isolated power domain feeding the transceiver. Use Value: Delivers 186 A IPP at 26.9 V clamping, ensuring transceiver survival under IEC 61000-4-4 Level 4 (4 kV) common-mode surges. |
Use Scenario: Protecting HAN (Home Area Network) PLC or RF module supply rails in electricity meters installed near distribution panels. IC Role / Device Role: Standoff-rated TVS on 15 V auxiliary rail powering communication ICs and isolation components. Use Value: Maintains stable clamping performance across −40 °C to +85 °C ambient with <10% VCL shift due to αT = 8.8 × 10⁻⁴ /°C. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar unidirectional TVS diode applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ15A | Same VRM (15 V), but lower PPP (600 W), higher VCL (24.4 V @ 24.4 A), SMB package (surface-mount). | Designed for board space-constrained consumer electronics; lacks R6's thermal mass for high-energy surges. | Select when PCB real estate is critical and surge energy remains below 600 W; not suitable for industrial 5 kW requirements. |
| P6KE15A | Same VRM (15 V), same R6 package, but lower PPP (600 W), higher VCL (25.1 V @ 23.8 A), legacy DO-204AC construction. | Legacy design with higher dynamic resistance (RD ≈ 0.12 Ω); less effective clamping under fast 8/20 µs transients. | Acceptable for cost-sensitive, low-surge environments; avoid where IEC 61000-4-4 Level 4 compliance is mandatory. |
Compared with SMBJ15A and P6KE15A, the BZW50-15 delivers 8.3× higher peak pulse power and tighter clamping (26.9 V vs. ≥24.4 V at higher current), enabling reliable protection in high-energy industrial and automotive systems where thermal mass and low RD are decisive.
Availability
BZW50-15 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial power supply protection, automotive body control modules, telecom interface circuits, and smart meter communication ports requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and multi-year production cycles.
Supply support for BZW50-15 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
STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in automotive, industrial, and power discrete solutions with vertical manufacturing and broad IP portfolio.
The BZW50 series belongs to ST's high-power TVS diode product line, engineered specifically for robust overvoltage protection in harsh environments where sustained junction temperatures exceed 150 °C and surge energies reach 5 kW.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable surge current for BZW50-15 under an 8/20 µs waveform?
The BZW50-15 supports up to 1714 A peak pulse current (IPP) under an 8/20 µs waveform, delivering 60 kW peak pulse power. This value is derived from the clamping voltage of 35 V and the specified IPP in Table 2 of DS0662 Rev 8. It reflects the device's capability to handle fast-rising lightning-induced transients commonly found in AC mains-connected equipment and outdoor infrastructure.
How does junction temperature affect clamping voltage in BZW50-15?
Clamping voltage increases linearly with junction temperature at a rate of αT = 8.8 × 10⁻⁴ /°C. For example, at Tj = 125 °C, VCL rises by (125 − 25) × 0.00088 = 0.088 × VCL(25°C), resulting in ~29.2 V instead of 26.9 V. This behavior is documented in Note 2 of Table 2 and must be factored into worst-case overvoltage margin calculations.
Is BZW50-15 suitable for protecting bidirectional signal lines like RS-485?
No - BZW50-15 is unidirectional and only clamps positive transients on the cathode side. For RS-485 differential lines requiring symmetrical protection, the bidirectional variant BZW50-15B must be used. Using BZW50-15 on bidirectional lines risks forward conduction during negative excursions, potentially damaging the protected transceiver.
What is the thermal resistance from junction to ambient for BZW50-15 on a standard FR4 PCB?
On a standard FR4 PCB with 70 µm copper thickness, the junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (Rth(j-a)) for BZW50-15 in R6 package is approximately 40 °C/W when mounted with 2 cm² copper area per lead (per Figure 12). This value drops to ~25 °C/W with 5 cm² copper, directly impacting maximum allowable average power dissipation in repetitive surge scenarios.
BZW50-15 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Package/Case:
- R-6, Axial
- Series:
- BZW50, TRANSIL™
- Packaging:
- Cut Tape (CT)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 15V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 16.6V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 35V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 1714A (1.714kA) (8/20µs)
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 5000W (5kW)
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- 13500pF @ 1MHz
- Operating Temperature:
- -
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- R-6
BZW50-15 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BZW50-15 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BZW50-15 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 BZW50-15 reliable?
The price and inventory of BZW50-15 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BZW50-15 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BZW50-15?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BZW50-15 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BZW50-15?
BZW50-15 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BZW50-15 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 BZW50-15?
For technical support, including BZW50-15 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BZW50-15 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BZW50-15 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BZW50-15 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 BZW50-15 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BZW50-15?
All BZW50-15 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BZW50-15, 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 BZW50-15 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BZW50-15:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BZW50-15 Tags
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