Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation P4KE18C
- Part No.:
- P4KE18C
- Manufacturer:
- Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AL, DO-41, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P4KE18C.pdf
- Description:
- 400W, 18V, BIDIRECTIONAL, TVS
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:5,719
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Product details
Overview
P4KE18C from Taiwan Semiconductor is a unidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode designed for primary-level overvoltage protection in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 18 V nominal breakdown voltage, 14.5 V working stand-off voltage, 26.5 V maximum clamping voltage at 16.0 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power rating per 10/1000 µs waveform - deployed in automotive lighting control modules to safeguard microcontroller I/O against load dump transients.
For engineers reviewing the P4KE18C datasheet, P4KE18C pinout, P4KE18C application, or P4KE18C equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping performance under 10/1000 µs surge, low leakage (<1 µA @ 14.5 V), DO-41 package compatibility with manual and automated assembly, and AEC-Q101 qualification status for automotive-grade reliability validation.
Technical Context
The P4KE18C operates as a silicon avalanche diode with unidirectional polarity, triggered when reverse voltage exceeds its 16.2–19.8 V breakdown range at 1 mA test current. Its low dynamic impedance ensures rapid voltage clamping during ESD or inductive switching events, limiting downstream circuit stress to ≤26.5 V at 16 A.
Thermal design relies on junction-to-lead conduction in the DO-41 package, supporting continuous operation from –55 °C to +175 °C. The device meets UL 94V-0 flammability requirements and complies with JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance, enabling use in high-reliability industrial and automotive environments without derating below 75 °C ambient.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 14.5 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before leakage exceeds 1 µA; defines safe DC rail margin. |
| VBR min/max | 16.2 V / 19.8 V at 1 mA - Confirmed avalanche onset window; ensures consistent turn-on across production lots. |
| VC @ IPPM | 26.5 V at 16.0 A - Clamped voltage during 10/1000 µs surge; determines maximum stress on protected IC inputs. |
| PPK | 400 W - Peak pulse power handling capability; validates robustness against ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1 & 2a transients. |
| IR @ VWM | <1 µA - Reverse leakage at stand-off voltage; enables low-power system sleep mode integrity. |
| TJ max | +175 °C - Maximum junction temperature; supports placement near heat-generating components without thermal shutdown. |
| Package | DO-204AL (DO-41) - Standard axial-leaded through-hole package; compatible with legacy PCB layouts and wave soldering. |
Pinout & Package
DO-204AL (DO-41) package with axial leads: cathode indicated by a painted band on the body. Leads are pure tin-plated, solderable per J-STD-002, and meet JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance. Weight ≈ 0.300 g.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode (unmarked end) | Forward conduction terminal | Connected to ground or lower-potential node in unidirectional TVS configuration. |
| Cathode (banded end) | Avalanche clamping terminal | Connected to protected line (e.g., 12 V rail); conducts during overvoltage to clamp to ≤26.5 V. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| 400 W surge rating (10/1000 µs) | Validates immunity to automotive load dump and ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a transients without degradation. |
| Clamping voltage ≤26.5 V at 16 A | Ensures protected 3.3 V or 5 V logic interfaces remain within absolute maximum ratings during surge events. |
| Leakage <1 µA @ 14.5 V | Preserves battery life in always-on automotive modules and avoids false triggering in high-impedance sensor circuits. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified (P4KE18CH variant) | Confirms reliability for automotive powertrain and body electronics per stress-test requirements. |
| UL 94V-0 molding compound | Meets flame-retardancy standards for enclosed automotive and industrial enclosures. |
Applications
| Automotive Lighting Control | Industrial PLC I/O Protection |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting LED driver ICs in headlamp modules from alternator load dump transients up to 120 V. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary clamping device placed between 12 V supply rail and ground, activated within <1.0 ps of overvoltage onset. Use Value: Limits rail voltage to ≤26.5 V during 400 W surges, preventing latch-up or gate oxide damage in integrated MOSFET drivers. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding 24 V digital input channels in programmable logic controllers exposed to relay coil flyback. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff protector across input terminals, conducting only during >14.5 V transients while remaining high-impedance during normal operation. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity with <1 µA leakage, enabling accurate 24 V logic level detection without false triggers. |
| USB Power Delivery Interface | Smart Meter Communication Port |
|
Use Scenario: Secondary-level surge suppression on VBUS line of USB-C PD ports subjected to ESD and conducted noise. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fast-response clamping element placed upstream of buck converter input, activated before internal FETs experience overvoltage. Use Value: Achieves <1.0 ps response time to limit transient propagation, reducing need for additional RC filtering stages. |
Use Scenario: Protecting RS-485 transceivers in utility smart meters from lightning-induced surges on long outdoor communication lines. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Line-to-ground TVS on differential bus pair, absorbing common-mode energy while preserving signal swing. Use Value: Withstands repeated 10/1000 µs surges up to 400 W without parameter drift, ensuring 10+ year field reliability. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ18A (Bourns) | Surface-mount SMB package; 18 V bidirectional; 600 W rating; higher capacitance (≈200 pF). | Requires PCB redesign for SMT placement; better suited for high-frequency data lines due to lower inductance. | Select when board space is constrained and layout allows SMT integration with controlled trace inductance. |
| 1.5KE18C (ON Semiconductor) | Same DO-41 package; 18 V unidirectional; 1500 W rating; higher clamping voltage (29.2 V @ 51.3 A). | Higher energy handling but less precise clamping; suitable where peak current exceeds 16 A. | Choose for legacy designs requiring drop-in replacement with enhanced surge margin, accepting higher clamping stress. |
Compared with SMBJ18A and 1.5KE18C, the P4KE18C offers optimal balance of through-hole manufacturability, tight clamping (26.5 V), and AEC-Q101 availability - making it preferred for cost-sensitive automotive body electronics where PCB real estate and thermal management are constrained.
Availability
P4KE18C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive lighting control, industrial PLC I/O protection, USB power delivery interface hardening, and smart meter communication port surge resilience requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.
Supply support for P4KE18C 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, specializing in power management, protection, and signal conditioning devices.
The P4KE series belongs to TSC's transient voltage suppressor product line, engineered specifically for automotive and industrial applications demanding AEC-Q101 compliance, high surge robustness, and reliable clamping performance under harsh environmental conditions.
FAQ
What is the breakdown voltage range of the P4KE18C?
The P4KE18C has a guaranteed breakdown voltage range of 16.2 V to 19.8 V at 1 mA test current (VBR), measured per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 standards. This window ensures predictable turn-on behavior across temperature and process variation, and is verified during 100% production testing. The P4KE18C maintains this specification across its full operating junction temperature range of –55 °C to +175 °C.
Is the P4KE18C suitable for automotive applications?
Yes - the P4KE18C is available in an AEC-Q101 qualified variant (P4KE18CH) that undergoes stress testing including HTOL, TC, and UHAST per automotive reliability standards. Its DO-41 package, 175 °C max junction temperature, and UL 94V-0 molding compound make the P4KE18C appropriate for under-hood and body-control module deployments. Always specify the "H" suffix for automotive-grade ordering.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the P4KE18C during a surge event?
The P4KE18C clamps to a maximum of 26.5 V when subjected to its rated 16.0 A peak pulse current (IPPM) under the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is guaranteed across all units and represents the highest voltage seen at the protected line during worst-case surge conditions. The P4KE18C achieves this with sub-nanosecond response, limiting transient energy delivered to downstream circuitry.
How does the P4KE18C differ from the P4KE18CA variant?
The P4KE18C is unidirectional, while the P4KE18CA is bidirectional - meaning the latter conducts in both polarities and has symmetric breakdown characteristics. The P4KE18C features a cathode band marking and is used for DC rail protection (e.g., 12 V supply to ground), whereas the P4KE18CA suits AC or differential signal lines. Both share identical clamping voltage (26.5 V) and surge rating (400 W), but their VBR test conditions differ (1 mA for P4KE18C vs. 1 mA in either direction for P4KE18CA).
What packaging options are available for the P4KE18C?
The P4KE18C is supplied in DO-204AL (DO-41) package with two standard packing formats: 5,000 units per tape-and-reel (P4KE18CH) and 3,000 units per ammo box (P4KE18C A0G). Lead finish is pure tin, compliant with J-STD-002 for solderability, and the device meets JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance. No SOIC or SOD variants exist for the P4KE18C - it is exclusively axial-leaded.
P4KE18C 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:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- 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)
P4KE18C FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P4KE18C through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P4KE18C 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 P4KE18C reliable?
The price and inventory of P4KE18C are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P4KE18C is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P4KE18C?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P4KE18C transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P4KE18C?
P4KE18C orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P4KE18C 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 P4KE18C?
For technical support, including P4KE18C datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P4KE18C requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P4KE18C is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P4KE18C 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 P4KE18C meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P4KE18C?
All P4KE18C units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P4KE18C, 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 P4KE18C part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P4KE18C:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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