Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P4SMA12CAHM3/I
- Part No.:
- P4SMA12CAHM3/I
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
P4SMA12CAHM3/I.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 10.2VWM 16.7VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
P4SMA12CAHM3/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 or power lines. It features a 12 V standoff voltage (VWM), 13.3 V minimum breakdown voltage (VBR), 400 W peak pulse power rating at 10/1000 µs waveform, and AEC-Q101 qualification for automotive applications.
For engineers reviewing the P4SMA12CAHM3/I datasheet, P4SMA12CAHM3/I pinout, P4SMA12CAHM3/I application, or P4SMA12CAHM3/I equivalent, this device is selected for robust ESD and surge protection in automotive sensor interfaces, industrial I/O lines, and telecom power rails where bidirectional clamping, low clamping voltage (VC = 19.9 V at IPPM), and halogen-free RoHS compliance are required.
Technical Context
The P4SMA12CAHM3/I operates as a bidirectional avalanche diode, symmetrically clamping positive and negative transients above its breakdown threshold. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable VBR tolerance (±5%) and low leakage (<1.0 µA at VWM).
It delivers 400 W peak pulse power under 10/1000 µs waveform with a maximum clamping voltage of 19.9 V at 20.1 A peak pulse current, and exhibits a thermal resistance of 120 °C/W (junction-to-ambient) on standard 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM (Stand-off Voltage) | 12 V - Maximum continuous reverse working voltage before clamping begins; defines safe operating margin below breakdown. |
| VBR (Breakdown Voltage) | 13.3–14.7 V at 1.0 mA - Confirmed avalanche onset range; ensures predictable turn-on during transient events. |
| VC (Clamping Voltage) | 19.9 V at IPPM = 20.1 A - Peak voltage seen by protected circuit during 400 W transient; critical for IC-level survivability. |
| PPPM (Peak Pulse Power) | 400 W (10/1000 µs) - Sustains high-energy surges without failure; derated to 300 W above 91 V, but fully rated at this voltage. |
| ID (Reverse Leakage) | <1.0 µA at 12 V - Minimal standby current; avoids signal distortion or battery drain in always-on circuits. |
| TJ max | 150 °C - Enables operation in under-hood automotive environments and industrial enclosures with elevated ambient temperatures. |
| AEC-Q101 Qualified | Yes - Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD; suffix HM3 denotes halogen-free and qualified version. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, halogen-free, RoHS-compliant, MSL Level 1 (260 °C peak reflow). Bidirectional construction means no polarity marking; both terminals are electrically symmetrical.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode / Cathode (symmetrical) | Transient conduction path | Identical terminals enable bidirectional clamping; connects across protected line and ground (or between differential lines) without orientation concern. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional clamping | Enables single-device protection of AC-coupled or floating signal lines (e.g., CAN, RS-485, sensor bridges) without polarity constraints. |
| 400 W peak pulse power | Withstands IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 surges (4 kV, 2 Ω source) on 12 V rails when properly laid out on 5 mm × 5 mm copper pads. |
| Glass-passivated junction | Ensures long-term parameter stability and low leakage drift over temperature and lifetime-critical for automotive and industrial field reliability. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified + halogen-free | Meets automotive electronics requirements for stress testing and environmental compliance; HM3 suffix confirms both qualifications. |
| Low profile SMA package | 0.208" × 0.157" footprint with 0.090" height enables dense PCB layouts while maintaining thermal performance via standard pad design. |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Protection | Industrial Digital I/O Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting LIN bus or analog sensor outputs (e.g., pressure, temperature) in engine control modules from load dump and ISO 7637-2 transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional TVS placed between signal line and chassis ground to clamp ±100 V spikes within nanoseconds. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or permanent damage to 12 V-tolerant ASICs and microcontrollers; validated per AEC-Q101 for 15-year vehicle life. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding PLC digital input channels exposed to relay coil kickback and 24 V DC field wiring surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Parallel-connected TVS shunting transient energy away from optocoupler input or Schmitt trigger inputs. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity during 400 W transients; clamping voltage stays below 20 V, ensuring downstream logic remains within safe VIH/VIL margins. |
| Telecom Power Rail Protection | Consumer USB Port ESD Suppression |
Use Scenario: Guarding 12 V bias rails in VoIP phones and base station power supplies against lightning-induced surges on PoE or AC adapter inputs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary surge suppression stage upstream of DC-DC converters and LDOs. Use Value: Limits rail collapse during 10/1000 µs surges; 19.9 V clamping prevents overvoltage shutdown of 24 V-rated regulators. |
Use Scenario: Secondary-level ESD protection on USB VBUS and D+/D− lines in portable audio devices and smart home hubs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fast-response TVS absorbing ±15 kV contact discharge (IEC 61000-4-2) before reaching USB PHY. Use Value: Sub-20 V clamping preserves USB 2.0 signaling integrity; low capacitance (≈100 pF at 0 V) avoids data rate degradation. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ12CA | Same VWM (12 V), higher PPPM (600 W), larger SMB (DO-214AA) package (0.236" × 0.157"), RθJA ≈ 90 °C/W. | Better power handling but requires 25% more board area; less suitable for ultra-dense automotive modules. | Select when higher surge margin is needed and PCB space allows larger footprint. |
| 1.5KE12CA | Same VWM (12 V), higher PPPM (1500 W), axial leaded DO-15 package; not surface-mountable; no AEC-Q101 qualification. | Requires through-hole assembly; unsuitable for automated SMT lines or vibration-prone environments. | Choose only for prototyping or non-automotive legacy systems where leaded parts are acceptable. |
Compared with SMBJ12CA and 1.5KE12CA, the P4SMA12CAHM3/I offers optimal balance of AEC-Q101 compliance, SMT compatibility, compact SMA footprint, and verified 400 W surge capability-making it the preferred choice for production automotive and industrial PCBs requiring halogen-free, high-reliability TVS protection.
Availability
P4SMA12CAHM3/I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor modules, industrial programmable logic controllers, and telecom power supply designs requiring stable component supply, halogen-free compliance, and AEC-Q101 qualification.
Supply support for P4SMA12CAHM3/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, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, and passive components with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.
The P4SMA Series is engineered for high-reliability transient suppression in automotive, industrial, and telecom systems-delivering consistent clamping performance, AEC-Q101 validation, and halogen-free packaging for demanding environments.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of the P4SMA12CAHM3/I at its rated peak pulse current?
The P4SMA12CAHM3/I has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 19.9 V at its peak pulse current (IPPM) of 20.1 A under the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per Figure 1 in Vishay's datasheet 88367 and reflects the actual voltage imposed on the protected circuit during worst-case surge conditions-critical for ensuring downstream ICs remain within absolute maximum ratings.
Is the P4SMA12CAHM3/I suitable for automotive applications?
Yes, the P4SMA12CAHM3/I is AEC-Q101 qualified and carries the HM3 suffix, confirming halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction and full automotive-grade stress testing-including temperature cycling, highly accelerated life testing (HALT), and ESD robustness. It is explicitly intended for under-hood and body-control module applications where reliability across -65 °C to +150 °C is mandatory.
Does the P4SMA12CAHM3/I have polarity markings?
No, the P4SMA12CAHM3/I is a bidirectional TVS diode and carries no cathode band or polarity marking. Its symmetrical construction allows installation in either orientation across protected lines-ideal for differential signals like CAN or RS-485, or for protecting AC-coupled paths where polarity is undefined.
What is the thermal resistance of the P4SMA12CAHM3/I, and how does it affect layout?
The P4SMA12CAHM3/I has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 120 °C/W when mounted on 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads per terminal. To maintain safe junction temperature during repetitive surges, PCB layout must adhere to this pad size and avoid excessive trace length or isolation; thermal vias are recommended for high-duty-cycle applications.
How does the P4SMA12CAHM3/I compare to unidirectional variants like P4SMA12AHM3/I?
The P4SMA12CAHM3/I differs from the unidirectional P4SMA12AHM3/I solely in polarity configuration: "CA" denotes bidirectional operation with symmetrical clamping, while "A" is unidirectional (cathode-banded). Both share identical VWM (12 V), VBR (13.3–14.7 V), VC (19.9 V), and AEC-Q101/HM3 qualifications-but only the CA version protects against reverse-polarity transients without external circuitry.
P4SMA12CAHM3/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):
- 10.2V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 11.4V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 16.7V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 24A
- 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)
P4SMA12CAHM3/I FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P4SMA12CAHM3/I through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P4SMA12CAHM3/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 P4SMA12CAHM3/I reliable?
The price and inventory of P4SMA12CAHM3/I are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P4SMA12CAHM3/I is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P4SMA12CAHM3/I?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P4SMA12CAHM3/I transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P4SMA12CAHM3/I?
P4SMA12CAHM3/I orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P4SMA12CAHM3/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 P4SMA12CAHM3/I?
For technical support, including P4SMA12CAHM3/I datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P4SMA12CAHM3/I requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P4SMA12CAHM3/I is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P4SMA12CAHM3/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 P4SMA12CAHM3/I meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P4SMA12CAHM3/I?
All P4SMA12CAHM3/I units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P4SMA12CAHM3/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 P4SMA12CAHM3/I part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P4SMA12CAHM3/I:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
P4SMA12CAHM3/I Tags

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Diodes Incorporated

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Diodes Incorporated
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