Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P6KE12CA-E3/54
- Part No.:
- P6KE12CA-E3/54
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P6KE12CA-E3/54.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 10.2VWM 16.7VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
P6KE12CA-E3/54 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-15 package, designed for clamping voltage transients on signal or power lines. It features a 12 V breakdown voltage (VBR min/max = 11.4–12.6 V), 10.2 V standoff voltage (VWM), 16.7 V maximum clamping voltage at 35.9 A peak pulse current (IPPM), and 600 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 P6KE12CA-E3/54 datasheet, P6KE12CA-E3/54 pinout, P6KE12CA-E3/54 application, or P6KE12CA-E3/54 equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, DO-15 mechanical compatibility, thermal resistance (RθJA = 75 °C/W), AEC-Q101 qualification status, and compliance with UL 497B surge protector classification.
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: under normal conditions it presents high impedance (<5.0 μA leakage at VWM), then rapidly avalanches into low-impedance conduction when transient voltage exceeds VBR. Its glass-passivated junction enables fast response time (<1 ns) and stable clamping across temperature (tempco = 0.078 %/°C).
Designed for unidirectional and bidirectional configurations, P6KE12CA-E3/54 supports repetitive surge events at 0.01 % duty cycle and withstands 100 A non-repetitive forward surge (IFSM) per 8.3 ms half-sine wave - critical for protecting downstream components during load dump or inductive switching events.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VBR (min/max) | 11.4 V / 12.6 V - defines reliable avalanche initiation range under 10 mA test current |
| VWM | 10.2 V - maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before leakage exceeds 5.0 μA |
| VC @ IPPM | 16.7 V at 35.9 A - clamping voltage limiting stress on protected circuit during 10/1000 μs transient |
| PPPM | 600 W - peak transient energy absorption capacity without failure |
| TJ max | +175 °C - enables operation in under-hood automotive environments and high-power industrial enclosures |
| RθJA | 75 °C/W - thermal resistance from junction to ambient, guiding heatsinking requirements in PCB layout |
| AEC-Q101 | Qualified - validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling and HTRB |
Pinout & Package
DO-15 (DO-204AC) molded epoxy package with matte tin-plated leads; bidirectional polarity has no marking on body - terminals are symmetrical and non-polarized.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (symmetrical) | Transient conduction path | Both terminals function identically; clamps voltage above ±16.7 V in either direction |
| Case (plastic body) | Isolation barrier | No electrical connection; meets UL 94 V-0 flammability rating for safety-critical layouts |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Glass passivated junction | Enables stable VBR tolerance and long-term reliability under thermal cycling |
| 600 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Supports protection against ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1, 2a, and 5a in 12 V automotive systems |
| Low clamping ratio (VC/VBR ≈ 1.4) | Minimizes overvoltage stress on protected ICs compared to higher-ratio TVS devices |
| AEC-Q101 qualified (HE3 variant) | P6KE12CA-E3/54 is commercial grade; HE3 suffix denotes automotive qualification - critical for Tier-1 BOM alignment |
| Solderable per J-STD-002/JESD 22-B102 | Validated for reflow and wave soldering processes without delamination or parameter shift |
Applications
| Automotive Power Line Protection | Industrial Sensor Interface Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting LIN bus transceivers and microcontroller I/O pins from load dump and jump-start surges in 12 V vehicle subsystems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt clamping element placed between power rail and ground, triggered within <1 ns of overvoltage event. Use Value: Limits voltage seen by protected IC to ≤16.7 V during 35.9 A transient, preventing latch-up or gate oxide damage in 3.3 V/5 V logic. | Use Scenario: Safeguarding analog outputs of pressure/temperature sensors connected to PLC analog input modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional voltage clamp on differential signal pair, suppressing ESD and field-induced transients. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity by clamping common-mode surges up to ±16.7 V while adding <1 pF capacitance - negligible impact on 10 kHz sensor bandwidth. |
| Consumer Device USB Port Protection | Telecom Line Card Surge Suppression |
Use Scenario: Secondary-level protection on VBUS line of USB 2.0 ports in set-top boxes and smart displays. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff device holding off 10.2 V DC while clamping 15 kV ESD (IEC 61000-4-2) to safe levels. Use Value: Survives repeated 15 kV contact discharge events without parameter drift, verified per AEC-Q101 stress profiles. | Use Scenario: Front-end protection of DSL/ADSL line interface circuits exposed to lightning-induced surges on twisted-pair telecom lines. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary shunt suppressor on tip/ring lines, coordinated with GDT or MOV secondary stages. Use Value: Absorbs 600 W transient energy per line without thermal runaway, enabling compliance with GR-1089-CORE Level 3 surge immunity. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ12CA | DO-214AA package (smaller footprint), same VBR range but lower RθJA (50 °C/W), 600 W rating retained | Better suited for space-constrained PCBs; requires revised land pattern and thermal relief design | Select SMBJ12CA when board area is limited and thermal management via copper pour is feasible |
| 1.5KE12CA | Higher peak pulse power (1500 W), same DO-15 package, identical VBR/VC specs but larger junction area | Used where higher single-event surge margin is required (e.g., industrial motor drives) | Choose 1.5KE12CA only if system-level testing confirms need for >600 W absorption per event |
Compared with SMBJ12CA and 1.5KE12CA, P6KE12CA-E3/54 offers optimal balance of cost, DO-15 legacy compatibility, and proven performance in consumer and mid-tier automotive applications - making it preferred for volume production where footprint reuse and supply chain stability are prioritized.
Availability
P6KE12CA-E3/54 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive infotainment power rails, industrial PLC analog inputs, and telecom line card surge protection requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.
Supply support for P6KE12CA-E3/54 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, MOSFETs, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability and application-specific validation.
The P6KE series targets cost-sensitive, high-volume transient suppression needs in automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics - delivering AEC-Q101-capable performance in legacy DO-15 packaging for backward-compatible designs.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of P6KE12CA-E3/54 and how is it measured?
The P6KE12CA-E3/54 has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 16.7 V, measured at its rated peak pulse current (IPPM) of 35.9 A using a standardized 10/1000 μs double-exponential waveform. This value represents the upper limit of voltage imposed on the protected circuit during worst-case transient events and is guaranteed across the full operating temperature range of -55 °C to +175 °C. The P6KE12CA-E3/54 achieves this clamping performance through controlled avalanche breakdown in its glass-passivated junction.
Is P6KE12CA-E3/54 suitable for automotive applications?
P6KE12CA-E3/54 is RoHS-compliant and manufactured to commercial-grade specifications; however, the HE3-suffix variant (P6KE12CAHE3/54) is AEC-Q101 qualified for automotive use. While the P6KE12CA-E3/54 shares identical electrical parameters and DO-15 mechanical form factor, only the HE3 version undergoes extended reliability testing including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD. For production automotive BOMs, P6KE12CAHE3/54 must be specified - the P6KE12CA-E3/54 remains appropriate for prototyping or non-safety-critical aftermarket modules.
How does the bidirectional configuration of P6KE12CA-E3/54 affect circuit placement?
The bidirectional nature of P6KE12CA-E3/54 means both terminals are electrically symmetrical - no cathode marking is present, and orientation during placement has no effect on functionality. This simplifies automated assembly and eliminates polarity verification steps in SMT lines. In practice, P6KE12CA-E3/54 is placed directly across the protected node and ground (or between differential lines), where it clamps overvoltage transients of either polarity to ≤16.7 V. Its DO-15 axial-leaded package supports both through-hole and surface-mount (with gull-wing adaptation) mounting.
What is the thermal resistance profile of P6KE12CA-E3/54 and how does it impact PCB layout?
P6KE12CA-E3/54 has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 75 °C/W under standard JEDEC test conditions, and a lower junction-to-lead value (RθJL) of 20 °C/W. This indicates that effective heat transfer relies heavily on copper land area and via count connected to its leads. For sustained surge duty or elevated ambient temperatures, PCB layout should include ≥25 mm² of 2-oz copper per lead with ≥3 thermal vias (0.3 mm diameter) to internal ground planes. Without such measures, junction temperature may exceed 175 °C during repetitive 600 W pulses, risking parametric shift in the P6KE12CA-E3/54.
Can P6KE12CA-E3/54 replace unidirectional TVS diodes like P6KE12A in existing designs?
No - P6KE12CA-E3/54 is strictly bidirectional and cannot substitute for unidirectional types such as P6KE12A without circuit review. Unidirectional devices have an anode/cathode designation and conduct only in reverse bias, whereas P6KE12CA-E3/54 clamps symmetrically in both directions. Replacing P6KE12A with P6KE12CA-E3/54 on a DC power rail could cause unintended conduction during normal forward-biased operation. However, P6KE12CA-E3/54 is a direct replacement for other CA-suffix bidirectional variants (e.g., P6KE12CA, P6KE12CAHE3/54) within the same DO-15 footprint and reel packaging (E3/54).
P6KE12CA-E3/54 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- 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):
- 35.9A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 600W
- 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-204AC (DO-15)
P6KE12CA-E3/54 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P6KE12CA-E3/54 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P6KE12CA-E3/54 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 P6KE12CA-E3/54 reliable?
The price and inventory of P6KE12CA-E3/54 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P6KE12CA-E3/54 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P6KE12CA-E3/54?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P6KE12CA-E3/54 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P6KE12CA-E3/54?
P6KE12CA-E3/54 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P6KE12CA-E3/54 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 P6KE12CA-E3/54?
For technical support, including P6KE12CA-E3/54 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P6KE12CA-E3/54 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P6KE12CA-E3/54 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P6KE12CA-E3/54 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 P6KE12CA-E3/54 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P6KE12CA-E3/54?
All P6KE12CA-E3/54 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P6KE12CA-E3/54, 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 P6KE12CA-E3/54 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P6KE12CA-E3/54:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
P6KE12CA-E3/54 Tags

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