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Microchip Technology MPLAD18KP20A
- Part No.:
- MPLAD18KP20A
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- Nonstandard SMD
- Datasheet:
-
MPLAD18KP20A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 20VWM 32.4VC PLAD
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:9,961
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Product details
Overview
MPLAD18KP20A from Microsemi is a unidirectional surface-mount transient voltage suppressor (TVS) designed for high-energy surge protection in aerospace, automotive, and industrial power systems. It delivers 18,000 W peak pulse power at 10/1000 μs, clamps at ≤32.4 V under 556 A peak impulse current, and features a 20 V reverse standoff voltage (VWM) with 22.2–24.5 V breakdown voltage (V(BR)). It is qualified to AEC-Q101 and meets RTCA DO-160F Level 4 pin injection for Waveform 4.
For engineers reviewing the MPLAD18KP20A datasheet, MPLAD18KP20A pinout, MPLAD18KP20A application, or MPLAD18KP20A equivalent, this device is selected for lightning robustness in avionics power rails, load-dump suppression in 24 V vehicle ECUs, and secondary IEC 61000-4-5 Class 1–5 protection with 42 Ω source impedance - requiring precise VWM margining, thermal derating awareness, and metal-base thermal mounting.
Technical Context
The MPLAD18KP20A employs a silicon avalanche diode structure optimized for low clamping ratio and sub-100 ps response time, enabling effective suppression of fast-rising transients such as ESD (IEC 61000-4-2), EFT (IEC 61000-4-4), and lightning-induced surges. Its metal-base package provides direct thermal path to PCB copper, achieving 0.7 °C/W junction-to-case resistance.
It operates within -55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature range and supports steady-state dissipation up to 2.5 W at 25 °C ambient. Derating is required above 25 °C ambient per Figure 3, with full power limited to case temperature ≤100 °C.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Peak Pulse Power (10/1000 μs) | 18,000 W - sustains single-stroke lightning surges without failure |
| Reverse Standoff Voltage (VWM) | 20 V - maximum continuous DC or peak AC voltage before conduction begins |
| Breakdown Voltage (V(BR)) | 22.2–24.5 V @ I(BR) - defines onset of avalanche conduction under test current |
| Max Clamping Voltage (VC) | 32.4 V @ 556 A - limits downstream circuit voltage during worst-case surge |
| Peak Pulse Current (IPP) | 556 A - maximum non-destructive surge current at specified waveform |
| Junction-to-Case Thermal Resistance | 0.7 °C/W - enables efficient heat transfer to heatsink or copper pour |
| Standby Leakage Current | 10 μA @ 20 V - negligible quiescent power loss in standby operation |
Pinout & Package
Package: Surface-mount PLAD (Power Low-Profile Avalanche Diode) with metal base acting as cathode terminal and primary thermal interface. Dimensions: 12.32 × 10.54 × 5.33 mm (L × W × H), weight ≈1 g. Requires recommended pad layout per RF01215 Rev B for optimal thermal and mechanical reliability.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Base (Bottom) | Cathode | Primary current return path and thermal conduction surface - must be soldered to large copper area or heatsink |
| Top Surface Pad | Anode | Signal/power input terminal - connects to protected line; minimal thermal contribution |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Low-profile SMT construction | Enables placement on dense power boards without height interference; compatible with automated assembly |
| 0.7 °C/W RθJC | Supports high-reliability operation under repeated surge stress when mounted on ≥2 oz copper with thermal vias |
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validates suitability for automotive electronic control units subject to temperature cycling, humidity, and mechanical shock |
| RTCA DO-160F Waveform 4 Level 4 compliance | Meets aviation requirement for 6.4/69 μs pin-injection transients at 25 °C, critical for flight-critical power inputs |
| IEC 61000-4-5 Class 1–5 support (42 Ω source) | Provides certified secondary lightning protection for industrial and avionics equipment interfacing with external wiring |
Applications
| Avionics Power Input Protection | Automotive 24 V Load-Dump Suppression |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: 28 V DC power entry point on flight management computer receiving transients from aircraft bus during generator switching or lightning coupling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS clamping positive surges while blocking reverse polarity faults. Use Value: Limits voltage to ≤32.4 V during 556 A DO-160F Waveform 4 events, protecting downstream DC-DC converters and FPGA power rails. | Use Scenario: Engine control unit (ECU) powered from vehicle battery subjected to ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a (load dump) up to 60 V/100 ms. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary surge clamp absorbing 18 kW energy without degradation across multiple events. Use Value: Prevents MOSFET gate oxide rupture and microcontroller latch-up by clamping peak voltage below 35 V during 100 ms overvoltage. |
| Industrial PLC Analog Input Protection | Railway Signaling Interface Protection |
Use Scenario: 24 V-powered analog input module connected to field sensors via long cables exposed to induced lightning surges per IEC 61000-4-5. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary TVS placed after series impedance, clamping coupled transients before signal conditioning circuitry. Use Value: Maintains <10 μA leakage at 20 V operating voltage, preserving measurement accuracy while surviving 42 Ω source impedance Class 5 surges. | Use Scenario: Trackside signaling interface board receiving 24 V DC power and RS-485 data over kilometers of outdoor cabling vulnerable to lightning induction. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-power unidirectional clamp on power rail, coordinated with data-line TVS for system-level immunity. Use Value: Achieves 1500 A forward surge rating (IFSM), supporting multi-stroke resilience required for EN 50121-4 railway EMC compliance. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ20A | 600 W PPP rating, 32.4 V VC @ 17.4 A IPP - 30× lower peak power handling | Suitable only for low-energy ESD/EFT; cannot meet DO-160F Level 4 or IEC 61000-4-5 Class 4+ | Select SMBJ20A only for cost-sensitive consumer-grade circuits where surge energy is limited to <100 J. |
| SMCJ20A | 1500 W PPP rating, 32.4 V VC @ 132 A IPP - 12× lower peak power than MPLAD18KP20A | Valid for IEC 61000-4-5 Class 2–3 (42 Ω), but fails Class 4–5 and DO-160F Waveform 4 Level 4 | Choose SMCJ20A for industrial controls with moderate surge exposure; avoid where multi-stroke lightning or aviation compliance is required. |
Compared with SMBJ20A and SMCJ20A, the MPLAD18KP20A delivers 30× and 12× higher peak pulse power respectively, enabling certified compliance with RTCA DO-160F Level 4 and IEC 61000-4-5 Class 5 - making it the only viable option for aerospace power entry and heavy-duty automotive load-dump protection where single-event energy exceeds 1 kJ.
Availability
MPLAD18KP20A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for avionics power conditioning, automotive ECU protection, and industrial PLC surge hardening requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.
Supply support for MPLAD18KP20A 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 Corporation (now part of Microchip Technology) is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in high-reliability, radiation-tolerant, and high-power analog/mixed-signal solutions for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.
The MPLAD family was engineered specifically for high-energy transient suppression in safety-critical platforms, emphasizing thermal robustness, multi-stroke endurance, and compliance with RTCA DO-160, IEC 61000-4-5, and AEC-Q101 standards.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of MPLAD18KP20A at its rated peak pulse current?
The MPLAD18KP20A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 32.4 V at 556 A peak pulse current (IPP) under 10/1000 μs waveform conditions. This value is guaranteed per datasheet Figure 3 and ensures downstream components remain within safe operating voltage limits during surge events. The MPLAD18KP20A achieves this with low dynamic impedance and rapid avalanche response.
Is MPLAD18KP20A RoHS compliant?
Yes, MPLAD18KP20A is RoHS compliant. Per RF01215 Rev B, the "e3" suffix denotes RoHS-compliant annealed matte-tin plating on terminals, and the void-free epoxy body meets UL94V-0 flammability requirements. Non-RoHS versions are marked without the "e3" designation, but the standard MPLAD18KP20A shipped by Aetrix Electronics carries RoHS compliance.
How should the metal base of MPLAD18KP20A be mounted for optimal thermal performance?
The metal base of MPLAD18KP20A must be soldered directly to a minimum 1 in² (6.5 cm²) copper pour on the PCB, preferably with ≥6 thermal vias (0.3 mm diameter) connecting to internal ground or power planes. Per RF01215 Rev B, this configuration achieves the specified 0.7 °C/W RθJC and prevents thermal runaway during repetitive surges. Avoid conformal coating over the base.
Does MPLAD18KP20A meet automotive qualification standards?
Yes, MPLAD18KP20A is qualified to AEC-Q101 for discrete semiconductors. This includes stress testing for temperature cycling, humidity, mechanical shock, and high-temperature operating life - confirming suitability for under-hood automotive ECUs. Its 20 V VWM and 32.4 V clamping align with 24 V system load-dump protection requirements per ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a.
Can MPLAD18KP20A be used for bidirectional transient protection?
No, MPLAD18KP20A is unidirectional. Bidirectional variants carry the "CA" suffix (e.g., MPLAD18KP20CA). Using MPLAD18KP20A for AC or bipolar signal lines would result in forward conduction during negative transients, potentially damaging the device or circuit. Select MPLAD18KP20CA only when symmetrical clamping for both polarities is required.
MPLAD18KP20A 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):
- 20V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 22.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 32.4V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 556A
- 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
MPLAD18KP20A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MPLAD18KP20A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MPLAD18KP20A 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 MPLAD18KP20A reliable?
The price and inventory of MPLAD18KP20A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MPLAD18KP20A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MPLAD18KP20A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MPLAD18KP20A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MPLAD18KP20A?
MPLAD18KP20A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MPLAD18KP20A 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 MPLAD18KP20A?
For technical support, including MPLAD18KP20A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MPLAD18KP20A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MPLAD18KP20A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MPLAD18KP20A 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 MPLAD18KP20A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MPLAD18KP20A?
All MPLAD18KP20A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MPLAD18KP20A, 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 MPLAD18KP20A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MPLAD18KP20A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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