Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I
- Part No.:
- P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 12.8VWM 21.2VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
P4SMA15CAHM3_A/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 15 V standoff voltage (VWM), 17.1 V minimum breakdown voltage (VBR), 21.2 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 18.9 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 µs waveform - used to protect MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor interfaces in automotive and industrial control systems.
For engineers reviewing the P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I datasheet, P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I pinout, P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I application, or P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, AEC-Q101 qualification, halogen-free RoHS compliance, low clamping ratio (VC/VBR ≈ 1.24), and compatibility with automated SMT assembly on standard PCB pad layouts.
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamped surge protector with symmetrical avalanche behavior in both polarities, enabling protection of AC-coupled or differential signal paths without polarity sensitivity. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown characteristics and low leakage (<1.0 µA at VWM), while MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity supports lead-free reflow up to 260 °C peak.
The P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I delivers 400 W peak pulse power under standardized 10/1000 µs waveform conditions when mounted on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads, with thermal resistance of 120 °C/W (junction-to-ambient) and 30 °C/W (junction-to-lead), allowing reliable operation up to 150 °C junction temperature in compact layouts.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM (Stand-off Voltage) | 15 V - Maximum continuous reverse working voltage before conduction begins; defines safe operating margin for protected circuit. |
| VBR (Breakdown Voltage) | 17.1–18.9 V at 1 mA - Minimum voltage at which avalanche conduction initiates reliably; ensures predictable clamping onset. |
| VC (Clamping Voltage) | 21.2 V at 18.9 A - Maximum voltage seen by protected circuit during 10/1000 µs transient; determines stress on downstream components. |
| PPPM (Peak Pulse Power) | 400 W - Surge energy handling capacity under standard 10/1000 µs waveform; enables robust protection against ESD and load-switching spikes. |
| IPPM (Peak Pulse Current) | 18.9 A - Maximum transient current the device can shunt while maintaining VC ≤ 21.2 V; critical for sizing protection on 12 V/24 V rails. |
| TJmax | 150 °C - Maximum allowable junction temperature; supports operation in under-hood automotive and high-ambient industrial environments. |
| 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; case meets UL 94 V-0 flammability rating and features matte tin-plated leads solderable per J-STD-002.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Current entry terminal during positive transient | One side of symmetrical PN junction; conducts during positive half-cycle of bidirectional surge. |
| Cathode | Current entry terminal during negative transient | Other side of symmetrical PN junction; conducts during negative half-cycle - functionally identical to Anode in bidirectional mode. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional clamping | Enables protection of AC signals, differential buses, and ungrounded lines without polarity concerns. |
| 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs) | Handles high-energy transients common in automotive load-dump and industrial relay switching events. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified & halogen-free | Meets automotive reliability requirements and environmental compliance (RoHS + JEDEC J-STD-20 Class 2 whisker resistance). |
| Low clamping ratio (VC/VBR = ~1.24) | Minimizes overvoltage stress on protected ICs compared to higher-ratio TVS devices. |
| MSL Level 1, 260 °C peak reflow | Supports standard lead-free SMT processes without pre-baking or special handling. |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module (BCM) | Industrial PLC Digital I/O Protection |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting LIN bus transceivers and microcontroller GPIOs from load-dump and inductive kickback in vehicle door modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional voltage clamp placed across LIN signal pair and ground to limit transients to <21.2 V during 12 V system faults. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or damage to 5 V tolerant transceivers while maintaining signal integrity due to low capacitance (~100 pF at 0 V). |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding 24 V digital input channels in programmable logic controllers exposed to field wiring surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary transient suppressor on each opto-isolator input path, clamping fast-rising spikes before they reach internal LED drivers. Use Value: Enables >100,000 surge cycles without degradation, validated per AEC-Q101, reducing field failure rates in factory automation. |
| Consumer Appliance Motor Drive Interface | Telecom Base Station Sensor Monitoring |
|
Use Scenario: Shielding MCU analog inputs monitoring brushless motor phase currents from commutation noise and back-EMF spikes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-leakage (≤1 µA at 15 V) bidirectional TVS placed between ADC input and ground to prevent saturation during PWM edge transitions. Use Value: Maintains measurement accuracy by limiting transient-induced offset errors while adding <0.5 ns propagation delay. |
Use Scenario: Protecting RS-485 transceiver data lines and temperature/humidity sensor analog outputs in outdoor telecom cabinets. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary-level protection stage after gas discharge tube (GDT), clamping residual surges to <21.2 V before reaching isolated interface ICs. Use Value: Achieves IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 (1 kV/2 kV) immunity without compromising signal bandwidth due to DO-214AC's low parasitic inductance. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ15CA | Same VWM/VC, but SMB package (DO-214AA); 600 W PPPM, higher IPPM (38.9 A), larger footprint. | Better suited for higher-energy transients where board space allows larger package; not drop-in compatible with SMA land pattern. | Select SMBJ15CA only if surge energy exceeds 400 W and layout permits 2.54 mm pitch increase. |
| 1.5KE15CA | Through-hole TO-218 package; same electrical specs but higher thermal mass; 500 W PPPM, 38.9 A IPPM. | Used in legacy designs or high-reliability power supplies where manual assembly or wave soldering is required. | Choose 1.5KE15CA for through-hole production or when higher surge repetition tolerance is needed beyond surface-mount limits. |
Compared with SMBJ15CA and 1.5KE15CA, the P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I offers optimal balance of AEC-Q101 qualification, halogen-free compliance, and compact SMA footprint for modern automotive and industrial SMT designs - trading peak power for board-area efficiency and process compatibility.
Availability
P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial PLC I/O modules, and consumer appliance motor control requiring stable component supply with full traceability and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for P4SMA15CAHM3_A/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, TVS devices, and power MOSFETs with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific performance.
The P4SMA Series was developed for high-volume, high-reliability transient suppression in automotive, industrial, and telecom applications - combining AEC-Q101 qualification, halogen-free materials, and optimized SMT packaging for automated manufacturing.
FAQ
What does the "CA" suffix mean in P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I?
The "CA" suffix in P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I indicates a bidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor. Unlike unidirectional variants (e.g., P4SMA15A), this device provides symmetrical clamping in both polarities - essential for protecting AC-coupled signals, differential buses, or circuits without defined ground reference. The P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I has no polarity marking and functions identically regardless of voltage polarity applied across its terminals.
Is P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I qualified for automotive use?
Yes, P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I is AEC-Q101 qualified - verified for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, highly accelerated life testing (HALT), and electrostatic discharge (ESD) per JESD22-A114. The "HM3" suffix denotes halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction meeting JEDEC J-STD-20 Class 2 whisker resistance, making P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I suitable for under-hood and chassis-mounted applications.
What is the clamping voltage of P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I at rated surge current?
The P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 21.2 V at 18.9 A peak pulse current (IPPM) under the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured with the device mounted on 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads per JEDEC test conditions. The low VC/VBR ratio (~1.24) ensures minimal overvoltage stress on protected 15 V-rated components during transient events.
Can P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I replace P4SMA15A in a design?
No - P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I is bidirectional, while P4SMA15A is unidirectional and features a cathode band marking. Substituting them requires verifying circuit topology: P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I may be used in place of P4SMA15A only if the protected line lacks DC bias or uses symmetric signaling. Using P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I in a unidirectional DC path introduces unnecessary conduction during reverse bias, potentially causing leakage or malfunction.
What is the thermal resistance of P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I?
The P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 120 °C/W and junction-to-lead resistance (RθJL) of 30 °C/W, measured under standard JEDEC conditions (25 °C ambient, 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads). These values define derating curves for sustained power dissipation and ensure safe operation up to 150 °C junction temperature when used within specified surge duty cycle limits.
P4SMA15CAHM3_A/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:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 12.8V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 14.3V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 21.2V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 18.9A
- 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)
P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P4SMA15CAHM3_A/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 P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I reliable?
The price and inventory of P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I?
P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P4SMA15CAHM3_A/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 P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I?
For technical support, including P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P4SMA15CAHM3_A/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 P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I?
All P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P4SMA15CAHM3_A/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 P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
P4SMA15CAHM3_A/I Tags

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