Nexperia USA Inc. BZX384-C4V3,115

Overview

BZX384-C4V3,115 from Nexperia is a ±5 % tolerance Zener voltage regulator diode in SOD323 (SC-76) package, rated for 4.3 V nominal breakdown voltage at 5 mA, 300 mW total power dissipation, and 40 W non-repetitive peak reverse power. It serves as a precision low-power reference or clamp in power supply feedback paths, sensor biasing circuits, and overvoltage protection stages.

For engineers reviewing the BZX384-C4V3,115 datasheet, BZX384-C4V3,115 pinout, BZX384-C4V3,115 application, or BZX384-C4V3,115 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 4.3 V ±5 % tolerance, 90 Ω max differential resistance at 5 mA, 3 μA max reverse current at 1 V, -3.5 to 0.0 mV/K temperature coefficient, and SOD323 thermal resistance of 415 K/W in free air.

Technical Context

This Zener diode operates in reverse-bias breakdown mode with a specified 4.3 V nominal working voltage at I_Z = 5 mA, exhibiting a maximum differential resistance of 90 Ω under those conditions. Its temperature coefficient ranges from -3.5 mV/K to 0.0 mV/K, indicating stable regulation across ambient temperatures from -65 °C to +150 °C.

The device supports pulsed operation up to 40 W non-repetitive peak reverse power (t_p = 100 μs), while maintaining continuous operation at ≤300 mW on FR4 PCB with standard footprint. Reverse current remains ≤3 μA at VR = 1 V, enabling low-leakage voltage clamping in signal conditioning and reference circuits.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SOD323 (SC-76), surface-mount plastic package with 2 leads, 1.35 mm × 0.85 mm body size, cathode marked by bar on top surface.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BZX384-C4V3,115, the BZX384-B4V3,115 offers tighter voltage control at the expense of higher impedance and reduced load regulation, while MMSZ4V3T1G trades identical tolerance and impedance for larger package size and higher leakage-making the original part optimal for space-constrained, low-leakage SOD323 designs.

Availability

BZX384-C4V3,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for power supply feedback clamps, sensor bias references, overvoltage protection limiters, and microcontroller I/O clamps requiring stable component supply and consistent ±5 % regulation performance.

Supply support for BZX384-C4V3,115 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

Nexperia is a leading semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Nijmegen, Netherlands, specializing in high-volume, high-reliability discrete and logic devices for industrial, consumer, and communications markets.

The BZX384 series belongs to Nexperia's precision Zener regulator portfolio, designed specifically for low-power voltage reference and clamping applications where small size, tight thermal profile, and repeatable breakdown characteristics are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous reverse current this diode can handle?

The BZX384-C4V3,115 has no specified maximum continuous reverse current; instead, it is rated for 300 mW total power dissipation at T_amb ≤ 25 °C. At its 4.3 V nominal Zener voltage, this corresponds to approximately 70 mA continuous reverse current (P = V × I). Exceeding this value risks thermal runaway unless board-level cooling is enhanced.

Can this Zener diode be used in forward conduction mode?

Yes - the BZX384-C4V3,115 exhibits ≤0.9 V forward voltage at 10 mA, making it suitable for low-drop rectification or polarity protection in low-current paths. However, its primary design intent and characterization are for reverse-bias Zener operation; forward-mode use should remain below 250 mA peak and respect thermal limits.

How does the ±5 % tolerance affect circuit accuracy in a feedback loop?

With a 4.3 V nominal V_Z and ±5 % tolerance, actual breakdown falls between 4.00 V and 4.60 V. In a feedback divider, this introduces up to ±3.5 % output voltage error relative to ideal setting. For applications demanding better than ±2 % output accuracy, external trimming or tighter-tolerance alternatives like BZX384-B4V3,115 should be considered.

Is this part qualified for automotive applications?

No - the BZX384-C4V3,115 is explicitly designated as non-automotive qualified per Nexperia's revision history (Rev. 4, January 2023). It lacks AEC-Q200 stress testing and automotive-grade screening. For automotive use, Nexperia offers separate -Q qualified variants (e.g., BZX384-C4V3,115-Q), which must be sourced separately.