Microchip Technology MAPLAD18KP15AE3
- Part No.:
- MAPLAD18KP15AE3
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- Nonstandard SMD
- Datasheet:
-
MAPLAD18KP15AE3.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 15VWM 24.4VC PLAD
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:5,121
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Product details
Overview
MAPLAD18KP15AE3 from Microsemi is a unidirectional surface-mount transient voltage suppressor (TVS) rated for 18,000 W peak pulse power at 10/1000 μs, with 15 V reverse standoff voltage (VWM), 16.7–18.5 V breakdown voltage (V(BR)), and 24.4 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 738 A peak impulse current. It delivers lightning and load dump protection in aerospace avionics per RTCA DO-160F Waveform 4 Level 4.
For engineers reviewing the MAPLAD18KP15AE3 datasheet, MAPLAD18KP15AE3 pinout, MAPLAD18KP15AE3 application, or MAPLAD18KP15AE3 equivalent, this device is selected for high-reliability secondary surge suppression where low thermal resistance (RθJC = 0.7 °C/W), RoHS-compliant matte-tin terminations, and IEC 61000-4-5 Class 1–5 compliance are required.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates as a clamping-type overvoltage protector, leveraging avalanche breakdown to limit transient voltages across sensitive circuit nodes. Its metal-base cathode construction enables direct thermal coupling to heatsinks, supporting sustained multi-stroke surge handling under ≤0.05% duty factor conditions.
It meets RTCA DO-160F pin injection requirements for Waveform 4 (6.4/69 μs) at Level 4 and complies with IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD), IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT), and IEC 61000-4-5 (lightning) using 2 Ω, 12 Ω, and 42 Ω source impedances - validated for bidirectional variants up to MPLAD18KP200CA and unidirectional variants including MAPLAD18KP15AE3.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 15 V - Maximum continuous operating voltage before clamping begins; matches 12 V automotive and avionics bus systems with margin. |
| V(BR) min/max | 16.7–18.5 V - Confirmed avalanche onset range at I(BR); ensures reliable triggering above system peak voltage. |
| VC @ IPP | 24.4 V at 738 A - Clamping voltage during 10/1000 μs surge; limits downstream stress to <25 V for 15 V-rail circuits. |
| PPP | 18,000 W - Peak pulse power rating at 10/1000 μs; supports multi-stroke lightning transients per DO-160 Section 22. |
| RθJC | 0.7 °C/W - Junction-to-case thermal resistance; enables effective heat transfer to PCB copper or external heatsink. |
| ID @ VWM | 10 μA - Standby leakage current at 15 V; negligible power loss in always-on protection paths. |
| Polarity | Unidirectional - Cathode on metal base; requires correct orientation for DC-biased rail protection. |
Pinout & Package
MAPLAD18KP15AE3 uses a surface-mount PLAD package with two terminals: anode and cathode. The cathode is the metal base (bottom side), thermally and electrically connected to the PCB ground plane or heatsink. Anode is the top-side metallized pad.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Transient current entry point | Connected to protected line (e.g., aircraft sensor supply); carries full surge current into device. |
| Cathode | Current return path & thermal interface | Mounted directly to PCB copper pour or heatsink; serves as primary thermal conduction path and low-inductance ground reference. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| 18 kW surge rating | Validated at 10/1000 μs waveform; enables single-device protection against DO-160F Section 22 lightning surges without parallel staging. |
| 0.7 °C/W RθJC | Enables >1000 surge cycles at 0.05% duty factor when mounted per recommended pad layout; reduces thermal derating penalties. |
| RoHS-compliant e3 marking | Matte-tin plating meets J-STD-020B Level 1 moisture sensitivity; eliminates dry-pack requirement and supports lead-free reflow. |
| RTCA DO-160F Waveform 4 Level 4 | Qualified for 6.4/69 μs pin injection at 25 °C; certifies suitability for critical avionics signal/power lines without additional filtering. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified | Stress-tested per automotive reliability standard; validates robustness for harsh-environment industrial and transportation applications. |
Applications
| Avionics Power Distribution | Automotive ECUs |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protection of 28 V DC distribution buses in commercial aircraft against lightning-induced transients per DO-160 Section 22. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed at bus entry point to clamp surges before reaching upstream regulators and downstream loads. Use Value: Limits clamped voltage to 24.4 V during 18 kW surges, preserving integrity of 28 V-rated components while meeting multi-stroke certification. | Use Scenario: Load dump suppression on engine control unit (ECU) 12 V supply lines exposed to alternator voltage spikes up to 40 V. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary clamping element absorbing energy from ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a transients without degradation over lifetime. Use Value: Withstands ≥1000 surges at 0.05% duty factor due to low RθJC (0.7 °C/W), eliminating need for oversized heatsinks or redundant devices. |
| Industrial Motor Drives | Railway Signaling Interfaces |
Use Scenario: Surge protection on gate driver supply rails in variable-frequency drives subjected to switching-induced RFI and inductive kickback. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fast-response (sub-100 ps turn-on) TVS suppressing nanosecond-scale transients that could falsely trigger IGBTs or damage level-shifters. Use Value: Clamps within 24.4 V at 738 A, preventing latch-up in isolated gate drivers while maintaining <10 μA leakage at 15 V standby. | Use Scenario: Secondary protection on 24 V signaling lines between trackside controllers and onboard train management systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: IEC 61000-4-5 Class 4 compliant suppressor (42 Ω source) deployed after primary gas discharge tube (GDT) stage. Use Value: Provides precise low-clamp voltage (24.4 V) after GDT crowbarring, ensuring safe operation of RS-485 transceivers and optocouplers. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ15A | 600 W PPP rating (vs. 18,000 W); SMC package; 24.4 V VC at 24.7 A IPP. | Only suitable for low-energy ESD/EFT; cannot meet DO-160 lightning or load dump requirements. | Select SMBJ15A only for board-level ESD protection where surge energy is <10 J; not a functional replacement for MAPLAD18KP15AE3. |
| SMCJ15A | 1500 W PPP rating; same SMC package footprint; 24.4 V VC at 61.1 A IPP. | Lacks DO-160 qualification and AEC-Q101 testing; insufficient for certified avionics or automotive safety-critical systems. | Use SMCJ15A for cost-sensitive industrial controls with moderate surge exposure; verify thermal design for repeated events. |
Compared with SMBJ15A and SMCJ15A, MAPLAD18KP15AE3 delivers 30× and 12× higher peak pulse power respectively, enabling certified lightning protection in aerospace and automotive systems where single-event energy exceeds 100 J and multi-stroke endurance is mandatory.
Availability
MAPLAD18KP15AE3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for avionics power distribution, automotive ECU protection, and industrial motor drive designs requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.
Supply support for MAPLAD18KP15AE3 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
Microsemi (now part of Microchip Technology) is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in high-reliability analog, RF, and timing solutions for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.
The PLAD-series TVS diodes were designed specifically for certified lightning and load dump protection in safety-critical platforms, emphasizing low thermal resistance, multi-stroke endurance, and regulatory compliance (DO-160, AEC-Q101, IEC 61000).
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of MAPLAD18KP15AE3 under a 10/1000 μs surge?
The MAPLAD18KP15AE3 has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 24.4 V when subjected to its rated peak impulse current of 738 A under the 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per Figure 3 in the RF01215 datasheet and ensures downstream components on a 15 V rail remain within safe operating limits during surge events.
Is MAPLAD18KP15AE3 qualified for automotive applications?
Yes, MAPLAD18KP15AE3 is AEC-Q101 qualified, confirming its reliability for automotive electronic control units (ECUs). It meets stress test requirements for temperature cycling, humidity, and surge endurance - making it suitable for 12 V load dump protection in engine control, ADAS, and body electronics systems.
How does the metal-base cathode construction of MAPLAD18KP15AE3 improve thermal performance?
The metal base of MAPLAD18KP15AE3 serves as both the cathode terminal and primary thermal conduction path, achieving a junction-to-case thermal resistance (RθJC) of just 0.7 °C/W. This allows efficient heat transfer to the PCB copper pour or external heatsink, enabling sustained multi-stroke operation without thermal runaway.
Does MAPLAD18KP15AE3 comply with RoHS and moisture sensitivity standards?
Yes, MAPLAD18KP15AE3 carries the "e3" suffix indicating RoHS-compliant matte-tin plating, and is rated IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020B Level 1 for moisture sensitivity - meaning it can be stored indefinitely at ambient conditions without dry packing or baking prior to reflow soldering.
Can MAPLAD18KP15AE3 be used for bidirectional surge protection?
No, MAPLAD18KP15AE3 is unidirectional (denoted by "A" suffix). For bidirectional operation, the equivalent part is MAPLAD18KP15CA. Using MAPLAD18KP15AE3 on AC or bipolar signal lines would result in forward conduction during negative transients, potentially damaging the device or circuit.
MAPLAD18KP15AE3 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Package/Case:
- Nonstandard SMD
- Series:
- -
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 15V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 16.7V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 24.4V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 738A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 18000W (18kW)
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Military
- Qualification:
- MIL-PRF-19500
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- PLAD
MAPLAD18KP15AE3 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAPLAD18KP15AE3 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAPLAD18KP15AE3 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 MAPLAD18KP15AE3 reliable?
The price and inventory of MAPLAD18KP15AE3 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAPLAD18KP15AE3 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAPLAD18KP15AE3?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAPLAD18KP15AE3 transactions.
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4.How is shipping managed for MAPLAD18KP15AE3?
MAPLAD18KP15AE3 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAPLAD18KP15AE3 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 MAPLAD18KP15AE3?
For technical support, including MAPLAD18KP15AE3 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAPLAD18KP15AE3 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAPLAD18KP15AE3 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAPLAD18KP15AE3 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 MAPLAD18KP15AE3 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAPLAD18KP15AE3?
All MAPLAD18KP15AE3 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAPLAD18KP15AE3, 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 MAPLAD18KP15AE3 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAPLAD18KP15AE3:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
MAPLAD18KP15AE3 Tags

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