Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation P4KE18
- Part No.:
- P4KE18
- Manufacturer:
- Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AL, DO-41, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P4KE18.pdf
- Description:
- 400W, 18V, UNIDIRECTIONAL, TVS
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:8,456
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Product details
Overview
P4KE18 from Taiwan Semiconductor is a unidirectional 400W transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode designed for primary-side overvoltage protection in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 18V nominal breakdown voltage, 14.5V working stand-off voltage, 26.5V maximum clamping voltage at 16A peak pulse current, and fast sub-nanosecond response time - deployed in automotive body control modules, industrial PLC I/O protection, and LED driver input stages.
For engineers reviewing the P4KE18 datasheet, P4KE18 pinout, P4KE18 application, or P4KE18 equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping ratio (VC/VWM = 1.84), low leakage (<1μA @ 14.5V), AEC-Q101 qualification option (P4KE18H), and DO-41 package compatibility with legacy through-hole PCB layouts.
Technical Context
The P4KE18 operates as a silicon avalanche diode with unidirectional polarity, triggered when reverse voltage exceeds its 16.2–19.8V breakdown range at 1mA test current. Its 400W peak pulse power rating is defined per 10/1000μs waveform per ANSI/IEEE C62.35, and it maintains stable performance across –55°C to +175°C junction temperature.
Clamping action begins within <1.0ps from 0V to VBR, limiting transient energy before downstream components experience overstress. The device exhibits a +0.088%/°C temperature coefficient of VBR and achieves <1μA reverse leakage above 10V - critical for low-power standby circuits.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nominal Voltage | 18V - defines rated suppression threshold for 12V system rail protection |
| Breakdown Voltage VBR | 16.2–19.8V @ 1mA - ensures reliable turn-on before IC damage thresholds in 12V automotive systems |
| Working Stand-off Voltage VWM | 14.5V - maximum continuous reverse voltage without significant leakage; compatible with 12V ±10% supply rails |
| Maximum Clamping Voltage VC | 26.5V @ 16A - limits transient voltage seen by protected ICs during 10/1000μs surge events |
| Peak Pulse Power PPK | 400W - sustains single high-energy transients such as ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/5a in automotive environments |
| Reverse Leakage ID | <1μA @ 14.5V - preserves battery life in always-on vehicle modules and avoids false triggering |
| Junction Temperature Range | –55°C to +175°C - supports under-hood deployment in engine control units and lighting drivers |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-204AL (DO-41), axial leaded, epoxy-molded case with UL 94V-0 flammability rating and pure tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 solderability.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Forward conduction path / cathode-referenced ground return | Connected to system ground or low-side reference; completes clamping loop during reverse transient |
| Cathode | Transient voltage sensing node / high-side connection | Connected to protected line (e.g., 12V rail); avalanche breakdown occurs between cathode and anode |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualified variant available (P4KE18H) | Validated for automotive electronics including powertrain and chassis ECUs requiring zero-failure reliability |
| 400W surge capability at 10/1000μs | Withstands ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a (50V, 100ms) and IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 (4kV) surges without degradation |
| Clamping ratio VC/VWM = 1.84 | Minimizes overvoltage margin while maintaining safe margin below 30V logic IC absolute maximum ratings |
| Sub-1ps response time (unidirectional) | Activates faster than typical ESD diodes, protecting against nanosecond-scale transients from relay switching or load dump |
| RoHS & halogen-free (IEC 61249-2-21) | Complies with automotive OEM material declarations and enables use in EU and China GB/T 26572-2011 regulated assemblies |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module | Industrial PLC Digital Input Protection |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting microcontroller GPIOs and CAN transceiver power pins from load dump and alternator ripple in BCMs. IC Role / Device Role: Primary overvoltage clamp on 12V auxiliary rail feeding MCU and sensor interface ICs. Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤26.5V during 12V system load dump events, preventing latch-up or gate oxide rupture in 3.3V/5V logic devices. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding 24V digital input channels against field-wiring induced surges and inductive kickback from solenoid valves. IC Role / Device Role: Front-end TVS on optocoupler input side, placed before series current-limiting resistor. Use Value: Absorbs up to 400W surge energy without failure, enabling robust operation in factory automation environments with frequent EFT exposure. |
| LED Driver Input Stage | Telecom Power Supply Surge Protection |
|
Use Scenario: Suppressing voltage spikes caused by hot-plug events and capacitor charging transients in constant-current LED drivers. IC Role / Device Role: Unidirectional clamp on DC input bus upstream of buck controller IC and MOSFET switch. Use Value: Maintains VWM = 14.5V to avoid conduction during normal 12V operation while clamping 10/1000μs surges to 26.5V. |
Use Scenario: Protecting secondary-side DC outputs of telecom AC/DC adapters against lightning-induced surges entering via AC mains. IC Role / Device Role: Secondary-side TVS on +48V output rail, coordinated with primary-side MOV and Y-cap filtering. Use Value: Provides precise 18V threshold and low clamping voltage to preserve tight regulation margins required by PoE-powered equipment. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Littelfuse SMAJ18A | Same DO-214AC (SMA) package; 18V bidirectional; 400W rating; higher capacitance (150pF vs. ~50pF for P4KE18) | Suitable for bidirectional AC-coupled signal lines; less ideal for DC power rails due to symmetrical clamping | Select SMAJ18A only if bidirectional protection or surface-mount assembly is required; P4KE18 remains preferred for cost-sensitive through-hole 12V rail clamping. |
| Vishay 1.5KE18A | Higher power (1500W), same 18V VBR range, DO-201AD package; larger footprint and higher clamping voltage (27.7V) | Better suited for high-energy surge environments (e.g., outdoor telecom cabinets) where 400W is insufficient | Choose 1.5KE18A when system-level surge testing requires >400W margin; P4KE18 offers optimal size/cost balance for standard automotive and industrial I/O. |
Compared with SMAJ18A and 1.5KE18A, the P4KE18 delivers best-in-class cost-efficiency and thermal performance in DO-41 through-hole format, with tighter clamping (26.5V) and lower leakage - making it ideal for space-constrained, high-volume 12V embedded systems where layout change is not feasible.
Availability
P4KE18 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial PLC I/O modules, LED driver designs, and telecom power supply protection requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.
Supply support for P4KE18 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
Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation (TSC) is a vertically integrated analog and discrete semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, serving global automotive, industrial, and consumer markets since 1979.
The P4KE Series belongs to TSC's high-reliability TVS portfolio engineered specifically for automotive-grade transient immunity and industrial surge resilience - emphasizing AEC-Q101 qualification, wide temperature operation, and consistent clamping performance across production lots.
FAQ
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the P4KE18 under standard test conditions?
The P4KE18 has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 26.5V at 16A peak pulse current (IPPM), measured using the 10/1000μs double-exponential waveform per ANSI/IEEE C62.35. This value ensures protected downstream ICs remain within their absolute maximum voltage ratings during surge events, and is confirmed in the "Maximum clamping voltage VC@IPPM" row of the P4KE18 electrical characteristics table.
Is the P4KE18 unidirectional or bidirectional, and how is polarity marked?
The P4KE18 is a unidirectional TVS diode, with cathode indicated by a band on the DO-41 package body. Polarity is explicitly defined in the "MECHANICAL DATA" section: "Polarity: As marked", and the "Devices for bipolar applications" note confirms that only parts with "C" or "CA" suffixes (e.g., P4KE18C) are bidirectional - the base P4KE18 is unidirectional.
Does the P4KE18 meet automotive qualification standards?
The base P4KE18 is not AEC-Q101 qualified, but its variant P4KE18H is explicitly listed in the "ORDERING INFORMATION" as AEC-Q101 qualified ("H" means AEC-Q101 qualified). The "FEATURES" section also states "AEC-Q101 qualified available", confirming qualification applies to designated H-suffix versions - not the standard P4KE18.
What is the reverse leakage current specification for the P4KE18 at its working stand-off voltage?
The P4KE18 exhibits ≤1μA reverse leakage current (ID) at its working stand-off voltage of 14.5V, as specified in the "MAXIMUM RATINGS AND ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS" table under the "Reverse leakage @ VWM ID (μA)" column for part number P4KE18. This low leakage supports battery-backed and ultra-low-power applications.
Can the P4KE18 be used in place of the P4KE18A, and what is the key difference?
No - the P4KE18 and P4KE18A are distinct variants: P4KE18 has VBR min/max of 16.2–19.8V, while P4KE18A tightens this to 17.1–18.9V. The A-suffix denotes tighter breakdown voltage tolerance (±5% vs. ±10%), resulting in more predictable clamping onset. Substituting one for the other may affect system-level surge margin verification and is not recommended without requalification.
P4KE18 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation
- Package/Case:
- DO-204AL, DO-41, Axial
- Series:
- P4KE
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 14.5V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 16.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 26.5V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 16A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 400W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 175°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-204AL (DO-41)
P4KE18 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P4KE18 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P4KE18 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 P4KE18 reliable?
The price and inventory of P4KE18 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P4KE18 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P4KE18?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P4KE18 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P4KE18?
P4KE18 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P4KE18 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 P4KE18?
For technical support, including P4KE18 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P4KE18 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P4KE18 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P4KE18 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 P4KE18 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P4KE18?
All P4KE18 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P4KE18, 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 P4KE18 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P4KE18:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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