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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P4KE20C-E3/73
- Part No.:
- P4KE20C-E3/73
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AL, DO-41, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P4KE20C-E3/73.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 16.2VWM 29.1VC DO204AL
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:7,858
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Product details
Overview
P4KE20C-E3/73 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-41 package, designed for clamping voltage transients on signal or power lines. It features a 20 V breakdown voltage (VBR min/max = 19.0–21.0 V at 1.0 mA), 17.1 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 27.7 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 14.4 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 μs waveform - used to protect MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor signal lines in automotive and industrial control systems.
For engineers reviewing the P4KE20C-E3/73 datasheet, P4KE20C-E3/73 pinout, P4KE20C-E3/73 application, or P4KE20C-E3/73 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, bidirectional clamping behavior, DO-41 mechanical data, AEC-Q101 qualification status, and direct alternative part comparisons - all grounded in Vishay's official Document Number 88365 (Rev. 16-Sep-2021).
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamping protector with symmetrical bidirectional conduction - no polarity marking, identical electrical characteristics in both directions. Its glass-passivated junction enables fast response time (<1 ns), low incremental surge resistance, and stable clamping under repetitive 0.01% duty cycle pulses.
It is rated for 175 °C maximum junction temperature, 1.5 W steady-state power dissipation on infinite heatsink, and meets UL 94 V-0 flammability requirements. The matte tin-plated DO-41 leads comply with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 solderability standards, and the E3 suffix confirms JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VBR (min/max) | 19.0 V / 21.0 V at 1.0 mA - defines reliable turn-on threshold for transient suppression |
| VWM | 17.1 V - maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before leakage exceeds 1.0 μA |
| VC @ IPPM | 27.7 V at 14.4 A - clamped voltage during 10/1000 μs surge, limiting stress on downstream circuitry |
| PPPM | 400 W - peak pulse power handling capability under standardized transient waveform |
| IFSM | Not applicable - bidirectional type has no forward surge rating (unidirectional only) |
| TJ max. | 175 °C - enables operation in under-hood automotive or high-temperature industrial environments |
| Package | DO-41 (DO-204AL) - axial-leaded through-hole package with 0.205" body diameter and 0.034" lead diameter |
Pinout & Package
DO-41 (DO-204AL) molded epoxy package with matte tin-plated axial leads; no polarity marking for bidirectional configuration - terminals are functionally symmetric.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (symmetrical) | Transient conduction path | Both ends serve identical clamping roles; no cathode band - bidirectional operation requires no orientation during placement |
| Lead 1 / Lead 2 | PCB interconnect interface | Leads accept wave or hand soldering per J-STD-002; 275 °C max solder dip for 10 s per JESD 22-B106 |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Glass passivated junction | Enables stable VBR tolerance (±5%), low leakage (<1.0 μA at VWM), and long-term reliability under thermal cycling |
| 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Supports robust protection against ISO 7637-2 Load Dump and IEC 61000-4-5 surge events in 12 V/24 V systems |
| AEC-Q101 qualified (HE3 variant) | P4KE20C-E3/73 is commercial-grade; HE3 suffix denotes automotive-qualified version - critical for Tier-1 supply chain traceability |
| UL 94 V-0 compliant molding compound | Meets flame-retardancy requirements for enclosed industrial and automotive electronic enclosures |
| JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance | E3 suffix ensures lead finish resists tin whisker growth under humidity and temperature stress - essential for long-life deployments |
Applications
| Automotive Power Line Protection | Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V battery-fed ECUs from load dump and alternator transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional clamping element placed across power rail input prior to DC/DC converter. Use Value: Limits voltage to ≤27.7 V during 400 W surges, preventing damage to 36 V-rated regulators and microcontrollers. |
Use Scenario: Shielding analog output lines of pressure/temperature sensors in PLC modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-capacitance TVS shunting induced ESD (IEC 61000-4-2) and inductive switching noise on 4–20 mA loops. Use Value: Clamps transients within nanoseconds while maintaining <1.0 μA leakage at 17.1 V - preserving signal integrity and ADC accuracy. |
| Consumer Power Adapter Input Stage | Telecom Line Interface Protection |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding AC-DC adapter primary-side rectifier and controller ICs from lightning-induced surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary-side TVS on DC output rail, coordinated with upstream MOV and fuse. Use Value: Provides precise 17.1 V standoff and 27.7 V clamping - avoids nuisance tripping while ensuring downstream 20 V-rated LDO survival. |
Use Scenario: Protecting RS-485 transceivers and PHY interfaces in base station backhaul equipment. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional line-to-line and line-to-ground suppression on differential pairs. Use Value: Symmetrical clamping ensures equal protection on A/B lines without polarity concerns - simplifies layout and reduces BOM count. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ20CA | Surface-mount SMB package (vs. through-hole DO-41); same 20 V VBR, 28.8 V VC, 400 W rating | Requires PCB rework for SMT assembly; higher thermal resistance (RθJA ≈ 140 °C/W vs. 100 °C/W) | Select when board space is constrained and automated assembly is prioritized over manual repairability. |
| 1.5KE20CA | Higher 1500 W peak power rating; larger DO-201 package; VC = 32.4 V at 46.7 A | Over-specified for 400 W use cases; introduces higher clamping voltage and board footprint penalty | Choose only when legacy 1.5KE footprint compatibility is required and higher surge margin justifies cost and size increase. |
Compared with P4KE20C-E3/73, SMBJ20CA offers SMT compatibility but reduced thermal performance, while 1.5KE20CA delivers higher surge capacity at the expense of clamping voltage and physical size - making P4KE20C-E3/73 optimal for cost-sensitive, through-hole automotive and industrial designs requiring precise 27.7 V clamping.
Availability
P4KE20C-E3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ECU protection, industrial sensor interface circuits, consumer power adapter outputs, and telecom line interface designs requiring stable component supply and RoHS-compliant sourcing.
Supply support for P4KE20C-E3/73 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
Vishay General Semiconductor is a global leader in discrete semiconductors, specializing in diodes, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, and passive components with emphasis on reliability and automotive qualification.
The P4KE series belongs to Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS family, engineered specifically for robust, cost-effective transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where AEC-Q101 compliance and repeatable clamping performance are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the polarity configuration of P4KE20C-E3/73?
P4KE20C-E3/73 is a bidirectional TVS diode with symmetrical electrical characteristics in both directions. It carries no cathode band or polarity marking on the DO-41 package, enabling orientation-agnostic PCB placement. This design eliminates risk of incorrect installation and supports line-to-line or line-to-ground transient suppression without regard to signal direction - a key advantage over unidirectional variants like P4KE20A.
Does P4KE20C-E3/73 meet AEC-Q101 qualification?
No - P4KE20C-E3/73 is the commercial-grade variant with E3 suffix (RoHS-compliant, JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistant). The AEC-Q101 qualified version is designated P4KE20CHE3/73 (HE3 suffix), which undergoes additional stress testing including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD per AEC-Q101 Rev D. Both share identical electrical specs, but only the HE3 variant is approved for automotive under-hood applications.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of P4KE20C-E3/73 under surge conditions?
The maximum clamping voltage (VC) of P4KE20C-E3/73 is 27.7 V, measured at its peak pulse current (IPPM) of 14.4 A using the standardized 10/1000 μs waveform. This value represents the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during worst-case transient events - critical for ensuring compatibility with 30 V-rated downstream components such as gate drivers and voltage supervisors in P4KE20C-E3/73-based designs.
Can P4KE20C-E3/73 be used in place of unidirectional P4KE20A?
P4KE20C-E3/73 is not a drop-in replacement for P4KE20A due to fundamental polarity differences: P4KE20A is unidirectional (cathode-banded) with forward voltage (VF = 3.5 V at 25 A), while P4KE20C-E3/73 is bidirectional and lacks forward conduction capability. Substitution requires verifying that the application does not rely on DC blocking or forward conduction - e.g., it is acceptable in AC-coupled or differential line protection, but invalid in DC power rail clamping where polarity matters.
What is the thermal resistance profile of P4KE20C-E3/73?
P4KE20C-E3/73 exhibits RθJL = 66 °C/W (junction-to-lead) and RθJA = 100 °C/W (junction-to-ambient, with 10 mm lead length). These values reflect its DO-41 package's ability to dissipate 1.5 W continuously when mounted on an infinite heatsink at TL = 75 °C. Derating begins above 25 °C ambient, reaching zero power at 175 °C - confirming suitability for under-dash automotive zones and sealed industrial enclosures where airflow is limited.
P4KE20C-E3/73 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-204AL, DO-41, Axial
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Box (TB)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 16.2V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 18V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 29.1V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 13.7A
- 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)
P4KE20C-E3/73 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P4KE20C-E3/73 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P4KE20C-E3/73 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 P4KE20C-E3/73 reliable?
The price and inventory of P4KE20C-E3/73 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P4KE20C-E3/73 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P4KE20C-E3/73?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P4KE20C-E3/73 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P4KE20C-E3/73?
P4KE20C-E3/73 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P4KE20C-E3/73 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 P4KE20C-E3/73?
For technical support, including P4KE20C-E3/73 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P4KE20C-E3/73 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P4KE20C-E3/73 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P4KE20C-E3/73 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 P4KE20C-E3/73 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P4KE20C-E3/73?
All P4KE20C-E3/73 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P4KE20C-E3/73, 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 P4KE20C-E3/73 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P4KE20C-E3/73:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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