Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P4SMA120CAHM3/I
- Part No.:
- P4SMA120CAHM3/I
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
P4SMA120CAHM3/I.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 102VWM 165VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,004
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Product details
Overview
P4SMA120CAHM3/I from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in SMA (DO-214AC) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on signal and power lines. It features a 120 V standoff voltage (VWM), 137 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 1.8 A peak pulse current (IPPM), and 400 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 µs waveform - suitable for protecting MOSFETs, sensor interfaces, and telecom line drivers against ESD and inductive switching surges.
For engineers reviewing the P4SMA120CAHM3/I datasheet, P4SMA120CAHM3/I pinout, P4SMA120CAHM3/I application, or P4SMA120CAHM3/I equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, AEC-Q101 qualification (HM3 suffix), halogen-free RoHS compliance, and thermal resistance (RθJA = 120 °C/W) under standard PCB pad layout.
Technical Context
This TVS operates symmetrically in both directions due to its bidirectional construction, enabling protection of AC-coupled or differential signal paths without polarity concerns. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown behavior and low leakage (<1.0 µA at VWM), while the 10/1000 µs surge rating reflects real-world lightning and load-switching transient immunity.
The device is rated for continuous power dissipation of 3.3 W at 50 °C ambient on an infinite heatsink and supports junction temperatures up to +150 °C. Its MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity and 260 °C lead-free reflow compatibility confirm suitability for automated SMT assembly in automotive and industrial environments.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM (Stand-off Voltage) | 102 V - Maximum continuous reverse voltage before clamping begins; defines safe operating margin below breakdown. |
| VBR (Breakdown Voltage) | 114–126 V at 1 mA - Confirmed avalanche onset range; ensures predictable turn-on during transients. |
| VC (Clamping Voltage) | 165 V at IPPM = 1.8 A - Peak voltage seen by protected circuit during worst-case 10/1000 µs surge. |
| PPPM (Peak Pulse Power) | 400 W - Surge energy handling capacity per single 10/1000 µs event; derates above 25 °C per Fig. 2. |
| ID (Reverse Leakage) | <1.0 µA at 102 V - Minimal DC loading on signal lines; preserves high-impedance interface integrity. |
| RθJA | 120 °C/W - Thermal resistance from junction to ambient air on standard 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads; informs board-level thermal design. |
| AEC-Q101 Qualified | Yes - Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD testing per JESD22 standards. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, bidirectional configuration with no polarity marking. Dimensions: 4.93 mm × 3.99 mm × 2.29 mm (L × W × H); cathode band absent per bidirectional design.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Transient current entry (positive half-cycle) | Accepts surge current during positive voltage excursion; connects to line being protected. |
| Cathode | Transient current entry (negative half-cycle) | Accepts surge current during negative voltage excursion; symmetrical with Anode for bidirectional operation. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional clamping | Enables protection of AC, differential, or floating signal paths without external polarity management. |
| 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs) | Withstands common IEC 61000-4-5 surge events up to level 3 (1 kV/2 Ω) on 50 Ω source impedance. |
| Halogen-free & RoHS-compliant (HM3) | Meets automotive environmental requirements and enables use in green manufacturing processes. |
| MSL Level 1, 260 °C reflow compatible | Supports standard lead-free SMT assembly without pre-baking or special handling. |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes voltage overshoot during fast-rising transients (e.g., ESD > 15 kV contact discharge). |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Interface Protection | Industrial RS-485 Transceiver Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting CAN/LIN bus nodes and analog sensor outputs (e.g., pressure, temperature) from load-dump and jump-start transients in 12 V vehicle systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional TVS placed across differential pair or supply rail to clamp ±100 V transients within nanoseconds. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or permanent damage to microcontrollers and signal conditioners while maintaining <1 µA leakage at 102 V standby. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding RS-485 transceivers (e.g., THVD1550) against ESD and cable-induced surges in factory automation networks. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Placed between A/B lines and ground to suppress common-mode transients up to ±15 kV per IEC 61000-4-2. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity with 165 V clamping at 1.8 A, limiting stress on transceiver I/O pins during 10/1000 µs surges. |
| Telecom Line Card Surge Protection | Consumer USB Port ESD Clamp |
Use Scenario: Front-end protection of DSL or POTS line cards exposed to lightning-induced surges on twisted-pair telephone lines. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional TVS connected line-to-line and line-to-ground to absorb differential and common-mode energy. Use Value: Delivers 400 W pulse power handling with 120 °C/W thermal resistance, enabling reliable operation on compact PCB layouts. |
Use Scenario: Secondary-level ESD protection on USB 2.0 data lines (D+/D−) in set-top boxes and smart displays. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-capacitance TVS (typ. <100 pF at 0 V) placed directly at connector to shunt fast ESD pulses before IC input. Use Value: Clamps 8 kV contact discharge to ≤165 V within <1 ns, preventing bit errors or PHY reset without degrading 480 Mbps signaling. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ120CA | Same VWM (102 V) and VC (165 V), but SMB package (DO-214AA); higher RθJA (100 °C/W) due to larger pad area requirement. | Requires larger PCB footprint; better suited for higher-power derating scenarios where thermal mass is available. | Select when board space allows larger package and higher long-term surge repetition is expected. |
| 1.5KE120CA | Through-hole TO-218 package; same electrical specs but 1500 W peak power rating and higher IPPM (12.3 A). | Not surface-mountable; used in legacy or high-energy industrial power supplies where SMT is not feasible. | Choose only for through-hole designs requiring higher single-pulse robustness; not drop-in compatible. |
Compared with SMBJ120CA and 1.5KE120CA, P4SMA120CAHM3/I offers optimal balance of miniaturization, AEC-Q101 qualification, and halogen-free compliance - making it the preferred choice for new automotive and space-constrained industrial designs requiring verified SMT reliability.
Availability
P4SMA120CAHM3/I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor modules, industrial communication interfaces, and telecom line card designs requiring stable component supply, AEC-Q101 validation, and halogen-free compliance.
Supply support for P4SMA120CAHM3/I 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, rectifiers, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.
The P4SMA Series targets cost-sensitive, high-volume transient suppression needs in automotive, industrial, and telecom markets - delivering standardized TVS performance in compact SMA packages with AEC-Q101 and RoHS options.
FAQ
What does the "HM3" suffix mean in P4SMA120CAHM3/I?
The HM3 suffix in P4SMA120CAHM3/I indicates halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction with AEC-Q101 qualification. It confirms compliance with automotive reliability standards and environmental regulations, validated per JESD22 test methods. This makes P4SMA120CAHM3/I suitable for under-hood and safety-critical automotive applications where material content and long-term stability are mandated.
Is P4SMA120CAHM3/I unidirectional or bidirectional?
P4SMA120CAHM3/I is a bidirectional TVS diode, as confirmed by the "CA" suffix and absence of cathode band marking. It provides symmetrical clamping for both positive and negative voltage transients, making it ideal for protecting AC-coupled circuits, differential buses like RS-485, and floating sensor inputs where polarity reversal may occur.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of P4SMA120CAHM3/I at rated surge current?
The maximum clamping voltage (VC) of P4SMA120CAHM3/I is 165 V at 1.8 A peak pulse current (IPPM), measured using the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value represents the highest voltage imposed on the protected circuit during a worst-case transient event and is critical for ensuring downstream ICs remain within absolute maximum ratings.
Can P4SMA120CAHM3/I be used in place of P4SMA120A?
No - P4SMA120CAHM3/I is bidirectional, while P4SMA120A is unidirectional. Their electrical behaviors differ fundamentally: P4SMA120A conducts only in reverse bias and requires correct polarity placement, whereas P4SMA120CAHM3/I clamps equally in both directions. Substitution would compromise protection on AC or polarity-agnostic lines and is not recommended without circuit redesign.
What PCB pad layout is recommended for optimal thermal performance of P4SMA120CAHM3/I?
Vishay specifies mounting P4SMA120CAHM3/I on 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads per terminal to achieve the rated 400 W peak pulse power and 120 °C/W thermal resistance. Reducing pad size increases junction temperature during surge events and may cause premature failure; thermal relief traces should be minimized to maintain heat dissipation.
P4SMA120CAHM3/I Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Series:
- P4SMA, TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Discontinued at Digi-Key
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 102V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 114V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 165V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 1.8A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 400W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- Telecom
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -65°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-214AC (SMA)
P4SMA120CAHM3/I FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P4SMA120CAHM3/I through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P4SMA120CAHM3/I 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 P4SMA120CAHM3/I reliable?
The price and inventory of P4SMA120CAHM3/I are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P4SMA120CAHM3/I is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P4SMA120CAHM3/I?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P4SMA120CAHM3/I transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P4SMA120CAHM3/I?
P4SMA120CAHM3/I orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P4SMA120CAHM3/I 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 P4SMA120CAHM3/I?
For technical support, including P4SMA120CAHM3/I datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P4SMA120CAHM3/I requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P4SMA120CAHM3/I is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P4SMA120CAHM3/I 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 P4SMA120CAHM3/I meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P4SMA120CAHM3/I?
All P4SMA120CAHM3/I units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P4SMA120CAHM3/I, 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 P4SMA120CAHM3/I part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P4SMA120CAHM3/I:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
P4SMA120CAHM3/I Tags

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Diodes Incorporated

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Diodes Incorporated

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Toshiba Semiconductor and Storage

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Diodes Incorporated
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