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Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation P4KE68
- Part No.:
- P4KE68
- Manufacturer:
- Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AL, DO-41, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P4KE68.pdf
- Description:
- 400W, 68V, UNIDIRECTIONAL, TVS
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:6,913
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Product details
Overview
P4KE68 from Taiwan Semiconductor is a unidirectional 400W transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode designed for primary overvoltage protection in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a nominal breakdown voltage of 68 V, clamps transients to ≤98 V at 4.2 A peak pulse current, and maintains low leakage (<1 μA at 55.1 V), making it suitable for automotive body electronics and industrial sensor interface protection.
For engineers reviewing the P4KE68 datasheet, P4KE68 pinout, P4KE68 application, or P4KE68 equivalent, key selection criteria include its DO-41 package compatibility, 10/1000 μs surge rating, unidirectional polarity marking, and junction temperature range of –55°C to +175°C under transient stress conditions.
Technical Context
The P4KE68 operates as a silicon avalanche diode with precise breakdown threshold defined at 1 mA test current (VBR = 61.2–74.8 V). Its clamping action begins within <1.0 ps from 0 V to VBR, enabling protection against fast ESD and EFT events per IEC 61000-4-2/4-4.
It exhibits a temperature coefficient of 0.104 %/°C for VBR, ensuring predictable voltage drift across operating temperature. The device sustains 400 W peak pulse power at TA = 25°C and derates linearly above that ambient, with steady-state dissipation limited to 1 W at lead temperature of 75°C on 5×5 mm copper pads.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VBR @ IT = 1 mA | 61.2–74.8 V - defines precise avalanche onset for reliable overvoltage triggering |
| VWM | 55.1 V - maximum continuous reverse working voltage before leakage exceeds 1 μA |
| VC @ IPPM = 4.2 A | ≤98 V - clamped voltage during 10/1000 μs surge, limiting downstream IC stress |
| IPPM | 4.2 A - peak pulse current capability at rated clamping voltage |
| PPK | 400 W - non-repetitive surge power handling per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 standard |
| TJ Range | –55°C to +175°C - extended thermal operation for under-hood and industrial environments |
| Package | DO-204AL (DO-41) - axial-leaded through-hole package with tin-plated leads per J-STD-002 |
Pinout & Package
DO-204AL (DO-41) axial package with cathode band marking for unidirectional polarity. Leads are pure tin-plated, solderable, and meet JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Ground reference terminal | Connected to system ground or low-side return path; forms avalanche junction with cathode |
| Cathode | Protected line input | Marked with band; connects to line being protected (e.g., 12 V rail); conducts during overvoltage |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Ultra-fast response | Sub-1 ps rise time from 0 V to VBR, critical for ESD immunity in high-speed interfaces |
| Low clamping ratio | VC/VBR ≈ 1.55 - tight voltage margin ensures minimal overvoltage exposure to protected ICs |
| AEC-Q101 qualified option | Available as P4KE68H variant - validated for automotive powertrain and chassis applications |
| Halogen-free construction | Complies with IEC 61249-2-21 - supports RoHS-compliant and environmentally regulated designs |
| UL recognition | File #E-326243 - certified for safety-critical end equipment requiring regulatory compliance |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module (BCM) | Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting LIN bus transceivers and microcontroller I/O pins from load dump and inductive switching spikes in vehicle door modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary clamping element placed between LIN line and ground, absorbing 400 W surges without failure. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or permanent damage to 5 V tolerant transceivers by limiting voltage to ≤98 V during 12 V system load dump events. | Use Scenario: Safeguarding analog front-end inputs of 4–20 mA current loop receivers exposed to field wiring transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff protector on signal input path, conducting only when induced surges exceed 55.1 V. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity below 1 μA leakage at 55.1 V, avoiding offset errors in precision 24-bit ADC measurements. |
| Smart Lighting Driver Power Input | Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Digital Input |
Use Scenario: Suppressing voltage spikes on 24 V DC input of LED driver ICs subjected to relay coil flyback in streetlight control cabinets. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed across input capacitor, clamping flyback energy before reaching buck controller. Use Value: Enables use of smaller input bulk capacitors due to guaranteed ≤98 V clamping, reducing board space and cost. | Use Scenario: Protecting optocoupler input stages on PLC digital input cards connected to factory floor sensors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: First-line defense against 1 kV EFT bursts per IEC 61000-4-4, shunting energy to ground before opto-LED. Use Value: Eliminates false triggering and extends optocoupler lifetime by limiting peak reverse voltage to 98 V during repetitive transients. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Littelfuse SMAJ68A | Same DO-214AC (SMA) package; 68 V nominal, 100 V VC @ 3.8 A; higher clamping voltage than P4KE68 | Suited for surface-mount layouts; lower surge current rating (3.8 A vs. 4.2 A) | Select when PCB space constraints require SMD mounting and 100 V clamping is acceptable |
| ON Semiconductor 1.5KE68A | Higher power rating (1500 W); DO-201AD package; VC = 112 V @ 13.4 A; larger footprint and thermal mass | Used where multi-pulse robustness or higher single-event energy absorption is required | Choose for legacy designs using 1.5 kW TVS or where higher IPPM headroom justifies larger package |
Compared with SMAJ68A and 1.5KE68A, the P4KE68 offers optimal balance of axial through-hole compatibility, 400 W surge capacity, and tight 98 V clamping-ideal for cost-sensitive, thermally constrained, and automotive-qualified applications requiring proven DO-41 reliability.
Availability
P4KE68 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, smart lighting drivers, and PLC digital input protection requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.
Supply support for P4KE68 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 semiconductor manufacturer specializing in discrete power devices, TVS diodes, rectifiers, and MOSFETs with global distribution and AEC-Q101 qualification capabilities.
The P4KE68 belongs to TSC's P4KE series of 400 W unidirectional TVS diodes engineered specifically for robust, cost-effective overvoltage protection in automotive, industrial, and consumer power systems.
FAQ
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the P4KE68 under standard 10/1000 μs surge conditions?
The P4KE68 has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 98 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 4.2 A under the 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 and guarantees consistent overvoltage limiting performance across production lots and temperature ranges from –55°C to +175°C. The P4KE68 achieves this while maintaining low dynamic impedance, ensuring rapid energy diversion away from sensitive downstream circuitry.
Is the P4KE68 suitable for automotive applications, and what qualification does it hold?
The base P4KE68 is not AEC-Q101 qualified; however, the P4KE68H variant is fully AEC-Q101 qualified and approved for automotive use. The H-suffix version undergoes stress testing including temperature cycling, humidity bias, and high-temperature reverse bias per AEC-Q101 Rev D. For automotive body control modules or lighting systems requiring qualification, P4KE68H must be specified-P4KE68 itself is intended for industrial and commercial applications where qualification is not mandated.
How does the P4KE68 differ from the P4KE68A variant?
The P4KE68A offers tighter breakdown voltage tolerance: 64.6–71.4 V (vs. 61.2–74.8 V for P4KE68) at 1 mA test current, resulting in more consistent clamping behavior across production units. Its VWM is 58.1 V (vs. 55.1 V), allowing slightly higher continuous operating voltage. Both share identical package (DO-41), power rating (400 W), and clamping voltage (92 V for P4KE68A vs. 98 V for P4KE68), making P4KE68A preferable where tighter VBR control improves system margin.
Can the P4KE68 be used in bidirectional configurations?
No-the P4KE68 is strictly unidirectional and marked with a cathode band. Bidirectional operation requires the P4KE68CA variant (or CA-suffix parts), which contains two opposing diodes in series and lacks polarity marking. Using P4KE68 in reverse-biased mode beyond its 55.1 V VWM risks premature conduction and potential degradation. For AC line or differential signal protection, only CA-suffix parts from the P4KE family are appropriate.
What is the thermal derating behavior of the P4KE68 above 25°C ambient?
The P4KE68's peak pulse power (400 W) is rated at TA = 25°C and derates linearly above that temperature per Figure 2 in the datasheet. At 75°C ambient, its usable peak power drops to approximately 280 W. Steady-state power dissipation is limited to 1 W at TL = 75°C with 9.5 mm lead length and 5×5 mm copper pads per terminal. Thermal design must account for this derating to avoid junction overheating during repeated surge events.
P4KE68 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):
- 55.1V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 61.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 98V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 4.2A
- 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)
P4KE68 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P4KE68 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P4KE68 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 P4KE68 reliable?
The price and inventory of P4KE68 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P4KE68 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P4KE68?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P4KE68 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P4KE68?
P4KE68 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P4KE68 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 P4KE68?
For technical support, including P4KE68 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P4KE68 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P4KE68 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P4KE68 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 P4KE68 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P4KE68?
All P4KE68 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P4KE68, 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 P4KE68 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P4KE68:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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