Microchip Technology MPLAD36KP70CAE3

Overview

MPLAD36KP70CAE3 from Microsemi is a bidirectional surface-mount transient voltage suppressor (TVS) designed for high-energy surge protection in aerospace and automotive systems. It delivers 36 kW peak pulse power at 10/1000 μs, features a 70 V reverse standoff voltage (VWM), clamps to ≤113 V at 319 A peak pulse current, and meets RTCA DO-160 Section 22 multi-stroke lightning requirements for aircraft electronics.

For engineers reviewing the MPLAD36KP70CAE3 datasheet, MPLAD36KP70CAE3 pinout, MPLAD36KP70CAE3 application, or MPLAD36KP70CAE3 equivalent, key selection criteria include its bidirectional polarity, 1.0 °C/W junction-to-case thermal resistance, RoHS-compliant e3 plating, IEC 61000-4-5 Class 4/5 secondary lightning protection capability, and suitability for high-reliability avionics power bus and signal line protection.

Technical Context

This TVS diode operates as a clamping device in parallel with protected circuitry, activating above its 70 V standoff threshold to divert transients up to 36,000 W. Its low R_θJC of 1.0 °C/W enables effective heat transfer to an external heatsink when mounted per recommended pad layout on FR4.

It supports bidirectional surge suppression per IEC 61000-4-5 (2/12/42 Ω source impedances), RTCA DO-160F Waveform 4 (Level 4/5 pin injection), and ESD/EFT immunity per IEC 61000-4-2/4-4 - all validated under AEC-Q101 stress testing and MIL-PRF-19500 upscreening options.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: PLAD (Plastic Leaded Anode Down) - void-free UL94V-0 epoxy body with metal base cathode termination; dimensions: 12.32 × 10.54 × 5.08 mm (L × W × H); weight: ~1.85 g; RoHS-compliant matte-tin (e3) plating.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.

Compared with SMBJ70CA and SMCJ70CA, the MPLAD36KP70CAE3 provides 24× and 24× higher peak pulse power respectively, coupled with 15× and 3.5× lower thermal resistance - enabling reliable operation in mission-critical aerospace platforms requiring certified multi-stroke lightning resilience.

Availability

MPLAD36KP70CAE3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for aircraft power bus protection, automotive ECU safeguarding, and railway traction interface hardening requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.

Supply support for MPLAD36KP70CAE3 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) designs high-reliability semiconductor solutions for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets, with emphasis on radiation-hardened ICs, timing devices, and robust discrete components.

The MPLAD36KP70CAE3 belongs to Microsemi's high-power PLAD-series TVS family, engineered specifically for certified lightning and load-dump protection in safety-critical transportation electronics where multi-stroke survivability and thermal stability are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage specification for MPLAD36KP70CAE3 under peak pulse conditions?

The MPLAD36KP70CAE3 has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 113 V at 319 A peak pulse current (IPP) under 10/1000 μs waveform conditions. This value is guaranteed across the full operating temperature range and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events. The device achieves this performance using low-resistance silicon junctions and optimized thermal design.

Does MPLAD36KP70CAE3 meet RTCA DO-160 lightning protection requirements?

Yes, the MPLAD36KP70CAE3 is validated for RTCA DO-160 Section 22 multi-stroke lightning testing, supporting Level 4 and Level 5 pin injection per Waveform 4 (6.4/69 μs) up to 70 V standoff. Its 36 kW rating and thermal architecture enable it to withstand ≥50 consecutive strokes without parameter shift - a requirement for primary and secondary aircraft system protection.

How is thermal management implemented for MPLAD36KP70CAE3 in high-surge applications?

MPLAD36KP70CAE3 uses a metal-base PLAD package with 1.0 °C/W junction-to-case thermal resistance. Effective thermal management requires soldering the cathode (metal base) to a minimum 10 cm² copper pad on an inner layer, connected via ≥6 thermal vias to internal ground planes. This configuration maintains junction temperature below 150°C during repetitive 36 kW surges at 0.05% duty cycle.

What does the 'CA' suffix indicate in MPLAD36KP70CAE3?

The 'CA' suffix in MPLAD36KP70CAE3 denotes bidirectional construction - meaning the device provides symmetrical clamping for both positive and negative transients. Unlike unidirectional variants (e.g., MPLAD36KP70AE3), the CA version has no polarity marking and functions identically regardless of voltage polarity applied across its terminals, making it ideal for AC lines and differential signaling.

Is MPLAD36KP70CAE3 compliant with automotive qualification standards?

Yes, MPLAD36KP70CAE3 is tested and qualified to AEC-Q101 for discrete semiconductors, covering stress tests including HTGB, HTRB, temperature cycling, and mechanical shock. Its construction, wafer lot traceability, and surge validation make it suitable for automotive under-hood applications such as engine control units and battery management systems exposed to load dump and ISO 7637-2 transients.