Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P6KA16HE3/73
- Part No.:
- P6KA16HE3/73
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P6KA16HE3/73.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 12.9VWM 23.5VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:2,879
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Product details
Overview
P6KA16HE3/73 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode designed for robust overvoltage protection in power and signal lines. It features a 14.4 V minimum breakdown voltage (VBR), 12.9 V maximum stand-off voltage (VWM), 600 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs), 185 °C junction temperature rating, and DO-204AC (DO-15) package - deployed in automotive power supplies and industrial sensor interfaces.
For engineers reviewing the P6KA16HE3/73 datasheet, P6KA16HE3/73 pinout, P6KA16HE3/73 application, or P6KA16HE3/73 equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping voltage (23.5 V at 25.5 A), low leakage (<1 µA at VWM), AEC-Q101 qualification, and high-temperature stability up to +185 °C for under-hood and motor-control environments.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates as a unidirectional avalanche clamp, activated only during reverse-voltage transients exceeding its VWM threshold. Its passivated anisotropic rectifier structure ensures stable breakdown behavior and low incremental surge resistance across temperature extremes.
Designed for repetitive 10/1000 µs surge waveforms at 0.01% duty cycle, it delivers consistent clamping performance with <1 ns response time and maintains reliability under solder dip conditions (275 °C, 10 s) and JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 12.9 V maximum - defines maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before conduction begins |
| VBR (min/max) | 14.4 V / 17.6 V at 1.0 mA - ensures predictable avalanche initiation within tight tolerance band |
| VC @ IPPM | 23.5 V at 25.5 A - clamps induced surges to safe levels for downstream MOSFETs or ICs |
| PPPM | 600 W (10/1000 µs) - handles high-energy transients from inductive switching or load dump |
| TJ max. | +185 °C - enables deployment in high-ambient automotive engine compartments |
| IFSM | 75 A (8.3 ms half-sine) - withstands short-duration surge currents without bond-wire failure |
| Leakage @ VWM | ≤1.0 µA at 25 °C - minimizes standby power loss in always-on circuits |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-204AC (DO-15), axial-leaded, molded epoxy case with UL 94 V-0 rating; cathode indicated by color band on body.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Forward current entry / transient return path | Connected to ground or low-impedance return in unidirectional clamp configuration |
| Cathode | Reverse-biased terminal / clamping node | Connected to protected line; conducts during overvoltage to shunt energy to ground |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualified | Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD testing |
| Junction passivation | Reduces surface leakage and improves long-term stability under humidity and bias stress |
| 185 °C TJ capability | Enables operation in under-hood ECUs, motor drivers, and industrial inverters without derating |
| Low clamping ratio (VC/VBR) | ~1.63 - provides tight overvoltage margin for 12 V nominal systems |
| Matte tin-plated leads | Ensures solderability per J-STD-002 and eliminates whisker risk per JESD201 Class 2 |
Applications
| Automotive Power Supply Protection | Industrial Sensor Interface Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V power rails in engine control units against load dump and alternator transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS clamp placed between battery input and DC-DC converter input stage. Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤23.5 V, preventing damage to 36 V-rated input stages while maintaining AEC-Q101 compliance. | Use Scenario: Shielding analog sensor signal lines (e.g., pressure, temperature) from ESD and cable discharge events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-capacitance TVS placed at connector interface to absorb fast-rising transients before reaching ADC front-end. Use Value: Sub-1 µA leakage preserves signal integrity; 23.5 V clamping prevents latch-up in rail-to-rail op-amps powered from 24 V supplies. |
| MOSFET Gate Driver Protection | Telecom Line Card Surge Suppression |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding high-side N-channel MOSFET gate drivers exposed to inductive kickback in motor drives. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Clamp placed between gate driver output and MOSFET gate to limit VGS overshoot. Use Value: Fast response (<1 ns) and low VC prevent gate oxide rupture; 185 °C rating supports compact heatsink-less layouts. | Use Scenario: Secondary-level surge protection on 48 V DC power feeds in telecom base station line cards. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff device in series with primary MOV-based protection to refine clamping level and extend system lifetime. Use Value: 600 W PPPM rating handles repeated lightning-induced surges; DO-15 form factor allows manual rework and high-density placement. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ16A-E3/5AT | Lower PPPM (400 W), same VWM/VBR, SMA package (surface-mount) | Not AEC-Q101 qualified; limited to commercial-temperature industrial use | Select when board space is constrained and automotive qualification is not required |
| 1.5KE16A | Higher VC (25.6 V), same DO-15 package, 1500 W PPPM but larger footprint | Higher surge capacity but less precise clamping; no AEC-Q101 validation | Choose for cost-sensitive non-automotive designs needing higher single-pulse energy handling |
Compared with SMAJ16A-E3/5AT and 1.5KE16A, P6KA16HE3/73 offers superior thermal robustness (185 °C vs. 150 °C), automotive qualification, and tighter clamping - making it optimal for space-constrained, high-reliability 12 V systems where long-term field stability is critical.
Availability
P6KA16HE3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power distribution, industrial sensor conditioning, and telecom DC feed protection requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and multi-year production cycles.
Supply support for P6KA16HE3/73 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, rectifiers, TVS devices, and optoelectronics with emphasis on reliability and high-temperature performance.
The P6KA series was engineered specifically for AEC-Q101-compliant transient suppression in harsh automotive and industrial environments - prioritizing thermal resilience, repeatable clamping, and process-controlled passivation.
FAQ
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the P6KA16HE3/73 under rated surge current?
The P6KA16HE3/73 has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 23.5 V at its rated peak pulse current (IPPM) of 25.5 A, measured using the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is guaranteed across the full operating temperature range and ensures reliable protection of 24 V-rated components connected downstream. The P6KA16HE3/73 achieves this with low incremental surge resistance and stable avalanche characteristics.
Is the P6KA16HE3/73 qualified for automotive applications?
Yes, the P6KA16HE3/73 is explicitly AEC-Q101 qualified, as confirmed in the Vishay datasheet (Document Number 88368, Revision 20-Dec-13). It undergoes rigorous stress testing including high-temperature reverse bias, temperature cycling, and mechanical shock - validating its suitability for under-hood and powertrain applications. The P6KA16HE3/73 also supports solder dip at 275 °C for 10 seconds per JESD22-B106.
What is the polarity configuration of the P6KA16HE3/73?
The P6KA16HE3/73 is a unidirectional TVS diode, meaning it functions as a reverse-biased avalanche clamp and conducts only when the cathode is at a higher potential than the anode. Polarity is marked by a color band on the cathode end of the DO-204AC package. The P6KA16HE3/73 does not provide bidirectional protection and must be oriented correctly in-circuit to protect against negative-going transients on positive rails.
How does the P6KA16HE3/73 compare to the P6KA16A variant?
The P6KA16HE3/73 has a VBR range of 14.4 V to 17.6 V at 1.0 mA, while the P6KA16A variant specifies 15.2 V to 16.8 V - indicating tighter breakdown tolerance. Both share identical VWM (13.6 V), VC (22.5 V), and thermal ratings. The P6KA16HE3/73 uses the HE3 suffix denoting RoHS-compliance and JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance, whereas P6KA16A may use alternate suffixes with different plating or packaging.
What is the junction temperature limit for continuous operation of the P6KA16HE3/73?
The P6KA16HE3/73 supports continuous operation from -65 °C to +185 °C junction temperature, with derating applied above 25 °C ambient per the power derating curve in Figure 5 of the datasheet. At TL = 75 °C (lead temperature), its steady-state power dissipation is rated at 5.0 W on an infinite heatsink. This 185 °C TJ max. rating makes the P6KA16HE3/73 suitable for high-ambient applications such as engine control modules and industrial motor drives.
P6KA16HE3/73 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Series:
- PAR®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Box (TB)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 12.9V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 14.4V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 23.5V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 25.5A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 600W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- -
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -65°C ~ 185°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-204AC (DO-15)
P6KA16HE3/73 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P6KA16HE3/73 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P6KA16HE3/73 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 P6KA16HE3/73 reliable?
The price and inventory of P6KA16HE3/73 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P6KA16HE3/73 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P6KA16HE3/73?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P6KA16HE3/73 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P6KA16HE3/73?
P6KA16HE3/73 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P6KA16HE3/73 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 P6KA16HE3/73?
For technical support, including P6KA16HE3/73 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P6KA16HE3/73 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P6KA16HE3/73 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P6KA16HE3/73 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 P6KA16HE3/73 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P6KA16HE3/73?
All P6KA16HE3/73 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P6KA16HE3/73, 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 P6KA16HE3/73 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P6KA16HE3/73:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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