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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P4KE6.8C-E3/73
- Part No.:
- P4KE6.8C-E3/73
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AL, DO-41, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P4KE6.8C-E3/73.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 5.5VWM 10.8VC DO204AL
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,935
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Product details
Overview
P4KE6.8C-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 and power lines. It features a 6.8 V breakdown voltage (VBR min = 6.45 V, max = 7.14 V at IT = 10 mA), 5.8 V stand-off voltage (VWM), and clamps to 10.5 V at 38.1 A peak pulse current (IPPM) under 10/1000 μs waveform - enabling protection of 5 V logic interfaces and low-voltage sensor inputs.
For engineers reviewing the P4KE6.8C-E3/73 datasheet, P4KE6.8C-E3/73 pinout, P4KE6.8C-E3/73 application, or P4KE6.8C-E3/73 equivalent, this device serves as a primary overvoltage clamp for bidirectional data lines, automotive LIN bus nodes, and industrial I/O ports where polarity-agnostic surge suppression is required without DC bias constraints.
Technical Context
The P4KE6.8C-E3/73 implements a glass-passivated PN junction optimized for fast transient response (<1 ps typical) and low dynamic impedance. Its bidirectional structure eliminates polarity marking and supports symmetrical clamping across both polarities, with identical VBR, VC, and IPPM ratings in forward and reverse directions.
It operates within –55 °C to +175 °C junction temperature range and delivers 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) while maintaining 1.5 W steady-state power dissipation. Thermal resistance is 66 °C/W (junction-to-lead) and 100 °C/W (junction-to-ambient), supporting lead-soldered mounting without heatsinking for short-duration surges.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VBR (min/max) | 6.45 V / 7.14 V at 10 mA - defines precise clamping onset threshold for bidirectional overvoltage events |
| VWM | 5.8 V - maximum continuous working voltage before leakage exceeds 1000 μA; compatible with 5 V systems |
| VC @ IPPM | 10.5 V at 38.1 A - clamped voltage during 400 W transient, limiting downstream stress to safe margin above VWM |
| IPPM | 38.1 A (10/1000 μs) - peak surge current capacity determines survivability against IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 surges |
| PPPM | 400 W - standardized surge power rating enabling direct comparison with other TVS devices in same test condition |
| TJ max | +175 °C - high-temperature capability supports under-hood automotive and industrial environments |
| Package | DO-41 (DO-204AL) - axial-leaded through-hole package with UL 94 V-0 epoxy body and matte tin-plated leads |
Pinout & Package
DO-41 (DO-204AL) package: axial-leaded, cylindrical epoxy-molded body, 2.0–2.7 mm diameter, 5.2 mm length, lead diameter 0.71–0.86 mm. No polarity marking - symmetric bidirectional terminal configuration.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (unmarked) | Bidirectional conduction path | Identical clamping behavior in both directions; no cathode band; terminals interchangeable in PCB layout |
| Lead 1 / Lead 2 | Current-carrying interface | Matte tin-plated, solderable per J-STD-002/JESD 22-B102; supports 275 °C dip soldering for 10 s |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Glass-passivated junction | Enables stable VBR tolerance (±5 %) and low leakage (<1000 μA at VWM) over lifetime and temperature |
| 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Meets IEC 61000-4-5 surge immunity requirements for industrial and automotive applications |
| AEC-Q101 qualified (HE3 variant); E3 suffix meets JESD 201 Class 1A whisker test | Validated reliability for automotive electronics and long-life industrial deployments |
| Low clamping ratio (VC/VBR ≈ 1.55) | Minimizes overvoltage overshoot during fast transients, protecting sensitive CMOS inputs |
| UL 94 V-0 flammability rated molding compound | Ensures flame-retardant performance in safety-critical enclosures and power supply designs |
Applications
| Automotive LIN Bus Protection | Industrial RS-485 Transceiver Clamp |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protects LIN physical layer against load dump and inductive switching spikes in vehicle body control modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional voltage clamp placed across LIN bus pins (LIN_H/L) to limit transients to <11 V. Use Value: Prevents damage to LIN transceivers such as TJA1020 by clamping 10/1000 μs surges up to 38.1 A without polarity concern. |
Use Scenario: Shields RS-485 differential pair (A/B) from ESD and lightning-induced surges in factory automation networks. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Symmetrical TVS connected between A–GND and B–GND to suppress common-mode transients. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity below 10.5 V clamping voltage while supporting >500 kbps data rates due to low capacitance. |
| Consumer USB Port ESD Guard | Smart Meter Power Line Surge Suppression |
Use Scenario: Added to VBUS and D+/D− lines in USB 2.0 upstream ports to meet IEC 61000-4-2 ±15 kV contact discharge. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-capacitance bidirectional clamp absorbing ESD energy before it reaches USB controller IC. Use Value: Enables compliance with USB-IF ESD requirements using single-device solution without degrading signal rise time. |
Use Scenario: Mounted across AC input rectifier output in smart meters to absorb 1.2/50 μs surges from utility grid switching. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary overvoltage clamp on DC bus, coordinated with MOV and fuse for staged protection. Use Value: Withstands repeated 400 W pulses and operates up to +175 °C ambient, ensuring longevity in sealed meter housings. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ6.8CA | Surface-mount SMB package (3.5 × 4.5 mm), 600 W PPPM, VC = 11.2 V @ 53.3 A | Higher power handling but larger footprint; requires rework for existing DO-41 layouts | Select when board space allows SMT placement and higher surge margin is needed beyond 400 W |
| 1.5KE6.8CA | DO-201 package, 1500 W PPPM, VC = 10.5 V @ 143 A, higher IFSM (200 A) | Designed for high-energy AC line protection; physically larger (5.6 mm diameter) and heavier | Choose for mains-connected equipment requiring IEC 61000-4-5 Level 5 immunity; not drop-in for P4KE6.8C-E3/73 footprint |
Compared with SMBJ6.8CA and 1.5KE6.8CA, the P4KE6.8C-E3/73 offers optimal balance of DO-41 through-hole compatibility, 400 W surge rating, and 5.8 V working voltage - making it ideal for cost-sensitive, medium-energy protection in automotive and industrial control boards where legacy axial packaging is retained.
Availability
P4KE6.8C-E3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive LIN bus protection, industrial RS-485 interface hardening, and consumer USB port ESD suppression requiring stable component supply and RoHS-compliant sourcing.
Supply support for P4KE6.8C-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-grade qualification.
The P4KE6.8C-E3/73 belongs to Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS family, engineered specifically for robust, bidirectional transient suppression in harsh environments including automotive, industrial, and telecom infrastructure.
FAQ
What is the polarity configuration of the P4KE6.8C-E3/73?
The P4KE6.8C-E3/73 is a bidirectional TVS diode with no polarity marking - both terminals are functionally identical. Unlike unidirectional variants (e.g., P4KE6.8A), it provides symmetrical clamping in either direction, making it suitable for AC-coupled or differential signal lines where voltage polarity reverses during normal operation or fault conditions. This eliminates orientation errors during manual assembly.
Does the P4KE6.8C-E3/73 meet AEC-Q101 qualification?
The P4KE6.8C-E3/73 carries the "E3" suffix, indicating RoHS compliance and commercial-grade qualification. For AEC-Q101 qualification, Vishay specifies the "HE3" variant (e.g., P4KE6.8CHE3/73). The P4KE6.8C-E3/73 itself is not AEC-Q101 certified, though its construction and thermal specs align with automotive ambient requirements up to +175 °C junction temperature.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the P4KE6.8C-E3/73 under surge conditions?
The P4KE6.8C-E3/73 clamps to a maximum of 10.5 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 38.1 A (10/1000 μs waveform). This clamping voltage is measured across the device terminals during transient conduction and represents the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry - critical for ensuring downstream 5 V logic ICs remain within absolute maximum ratings.
Can the P4KE6.8C-E3/73 be used in place of a unidirectional P4KE6.8A?
No - the P4KE6.8C-E3/73 is not a direct replacement for the unidirectional P4KE6.8A. While both share identical VBR, VWM, and VC values, the P4KE6.8C-E3/73 lacks a defined cathode and conducts equally in both directions. Substituting it for P4KE6.8A in DC-biased circuits may cause unintended conduction or failure to block reverse leakage, especially where forward voltage drop matters (e.g., power rail protection).
What is the junction-to-lead thermal resistance (RθJL) of the P4KE6.8C-E3/73?
The P4KE6.8C-E3/73 has a typical junction-to-lead thermal resistance (RθJL) of 66 °C/W, as specified in Vishay's datasheet (Document Number: 88365, page 3). This value enables accurate thermal modeling when mounted with standard lead lengths (e.g., 10 mm), confirming that short-duration 400 W surges will not exceed the +175 °C maximum junction temperature if leads are adequately heat-sunk.
P4KE6.8C-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):
- 5.5V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 6.12V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 10.8V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 37A
- 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)
P4KE6.8C-E3/73 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P4KE6.8C-E3/73 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P4KE6.8C-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 P4KE6.8C-E3/73 reliable?
The price and inventory of P4KE6.8C-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 P4KE6.8C-E3/73 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P4KE6.8C-E3/73?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P4KE6.8C-E3/73 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P4KE6.8C-E3/73?
P4KE6.8C-E3/73 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P4KE6.8C-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 P4KE6.8C-E3/73?
For technical support, including P4KE6.8C-E3/73 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P4KE6.8C-E3/73 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P4KE6.8C-E3/73 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P4KE6.8C-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 P4KE6.8C-E3/73 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P4KE6.8C-E3/73?
All P4KE6.8C-E3/73 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P4KE6.8C-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 P4KE6.8C-E3/73 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P4KE6.8C-E3/73:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
P4KE6.8C-E3/73 Tags
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