Nexperia USA Inc. BZX384-C68,115

Overview

BZX384-C68,115 from Nexperia is a ±5 % tolerance Zener voltage regulator diode in SOD323 (SC-76) package, rated for 68 V nominal breakdown voltage at 2 mA, with 300 mW total power dissipation and 0.9 V forward voltage at 10 mA. It serves as a precision reference or overvoltage clamp in low-power analog signal conditioning and power rail stabilization circuits.

For engineers reviewing the BZX384-C68,115 datasheet, BZX384-C68,115 pinout, BZX384-C68,115 application, or BZX384-C68,115 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 64–72 V breakdown range, 475 Ω max differential resistance at 2 mA, 0.05 mV/K temperature coefficient, and suitability for space-constrained PCBs requiring stable low-current regulation.

Technical Context

This Zener diode operates in reverse-biased avalanche mode to maintain a stable reference voltage across its cathode-anode terminals under controlled current conditions. Its design targets low-power, non-automotive applications where thermal stability and tight voltage tolerance are secondary to cost and footprint efficiency.

The device exhibits a typical reverse leakage of ≤0.1 μA at 54.4 V (0.8 × VZ), supports non-repetitive peak reverse currents up to 0.25 A (100 μs pulse), and features a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of 415 K/W on standard FR4 PCBs - limiting continuous operation to ≤1.2 mA at 70 °C ambient without derating.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SOD323 (SC-76), surface-mount plastic case with 2 leads, 2.7 mm × 1.6 mm footprint, 0.45 mm nominal height, and 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-C68,115, MMBZ5263B-7-F trades surge robustness for legacy compatibility, while BZX84-C68,215 matches electrical behavior but increases board area by 2.4× - making the SOD323 variant optimal for miniaturized, thermally constrained designs.

Availability

BZX384-C68,115 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor signal conditioning, USB-C power delivery clamp, IoT node battery monitoring, and programmable logic controller input protection requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.

Supply support for BZX384-C68,115 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 global semiconductor expert focused on high-volume, high-reliability discrete and logic devices, headquartered in Nijmegen, Netherlands, with manufacturing in Asia and Europe.

The BZX384 series belongs to Nexperia's precision Zener diode product line, engineered for cost-sensitive, space-constrained regulation tasks in consumer, industrial, and computing applications - not automotive or safety-critical systems.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous reverse current for reliable long-term operation?

The BZX384-C68,115 supports up to 1.2 mA continuous reverse current at 25 °C ambient on standard FR4 PCB, derived from its 300 mW power limit and 68 V VZ. At 70 °C ambient, this drops to 0.85 mA due to thermal derating - exceeding either value risks accelerated parameter drift or junction failure.

Can this diode be used in series or parallel configurations for higher voltage or current handling?

No - Zener diodes like BZX384-C68,115 must not be paralleled due to mismatched breakdown voltages causing current hogging and thermal runaway. Series connection is possible but requires individual current-limiting resistors per device to ensure equal voltage sharing and avoid cascading failure.

How does the ±5 % tolerance affect regulation accuracy in a 10 kΩ/10 kΩ resistor divider?

With ±5 % VZ tolerance (64–72 V), the output of a symmetric 10 kΩ/10 kΩ divider ranges from 32 V to 36 V - a ±6.25 % deviation from the nominal 34 V. For tighter accuracy, use external trimming or select ±1 % BZX384-A68 variants instead.

Is the SOD323 package compatible with standard reflow soldering profiles?

Yes - the SOD323 package is qualified for lead-free reflow per JEDEC J-STD-020, with peak temperature ≤260 °C and time above liquidus ≤60 seconds. The recommended footprint (0.6 mm pad width, 1.65 mm center-to-center spacing) ensures reliable wetting and mechanical strength without tombstoning.