Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P6KE18C-E3/54
- Part No.:
- P6KE18C-E3/54
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P6KE18C-E3/54.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 14.5VWM 26.5VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
P6KE18C-E3/54 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bi-directional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-204AC (DO-15) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on signal or power lines. It features a 18 V breakdown voltage (VBR min = 17.1 V, max = 18.9 V), 15.3 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 25.2 V maximum clamping voltage at 23.8 A peak pulse current, 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 P6KE18C-E3/54 datasheet, P6KE18C-E3/54 pinout, P6KE18C-E3/54 application, or P6KE18C-E3/54 equivalent, key selection criteria include bi-directional clamping capability, UL 497B recognition, AEC-Q101 qualification (HE3 variant), low thermal resistance (RθJL = 20 °C/W), and compatibility with J-STD-002 solderability standards.
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: under normal conditions it presents high impedance (>1 MΩ at VWM), but triggers into low-impedance conduction when transient voltage exceeds VBR, limiting downstream voltage to ≤25.2 V at 23.8 A. Its glass-passivated junction enables sub-nanosecond response time and stable performance across -55 °C to +175 °C junction temperature range.
The bi-directional configuration (denoted by "C" suffix) eliminates polarity concerns in AC-coupled or floating signal paths, and its DO-204AC package supports manual or automated through-hole assembly with matte tin-plated leads compliant to JESD 22-B102. Thermal derating follows a linear curve above 25 °C ambient, maintaining 5.0 W power dissipation up to 75 °C lead temperature.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VBR (min/max) | 17.1 V / 18.9 V at 1.0 mA test current - defines reliable turn-on threshold for transient suppression |
| VWM | 15.3 V - maximum continuous working voltage before leakage exceeds 1.0 μA |
| VC @ IPPM | 25.2 V at 23.8 A (10/1000 μs) - ensures protected circuit sees no more than this clamped voltage during surge |
| PPPM | 600 W - peak transient energy handling capacity without failure under standardized surge waveform |
| IPPM | 23.8 A - maximum non-repetitive surge current the device safely clamps |
| TJ Range | -55 °C to +175 °C - enables use in under-hood automotive and industrial environments |
| RθJL | 20 °C/W - low junction-to-lead thermal resistance supports sustained power dissipation in PCB-constrained layouts |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-204AC (DO-15), axial-leaded, molded epoxy case meeting UL 94 V-0 flammability rating. Bi-directional construction means no cathode marking; both terminals are electrically symmetric.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode / Cathode (symmetrical) | Transient current path | Either terminal conducts during overvoltage in either polarity - no polarity-dependent routing required |
| Lead 1 / Lead 2 | Thermal and mechanical interface | Matte tin-plated, solderable per J-STD-002; supports 275 °C / 10 s solder dip per JESD 22-B106 |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bi-directional clamping | Enables single-device protection of AC signals, differential buses, or ungrounded sensor lines without polarity constraints |
| 600 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Withstands high-energy transients common in automotive load-dump and industrial relay-switching events |
| AEC-Q101 qualified (HE3 variant) | Validated for automotive electronics per stress-test requirements including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD |
| UL 497B recognized (QVGQ2) | Meets safety standard for telecom and data-line protectors - simplifies system-level certification |
| Glass passivated junction | Ensures stable VBR tolerance (±5 %), low leakage (<1.0 μA at VWM), and long-term reliability under thermal cycling |
Applications
| Automotive Power Line Protection | Industrial Sensor Interface Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V power rails in body control modules against ISO 7637-2 pulse 1 (inductive switch-off) and pulse 2a (load dump). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt TVS placed upstream of DC-DC converters and microcontrollers to clamp transients below 25.2 V. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or permanent damage to downstream ICs by limiting rail voltage excursion during 100 V/50 ms load-dump events. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding analog outputs (e.g., 4–20 mA current loops) and digital I/O (CAN, LIN) in factory automation sensors exposed to ESD and motor noise. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bi-directional clamping element across signal pair or between signal and ground to suppress ±15 kV contact ESD per IEC 61000-4-2. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity by clamping fast transients within 1 ns while adding <1 pF capacitance - no data rate degradation. |
| Telecom Line Surge Protection | Consumer Appliance Motor Control |
Use Scenario: Secondary protection on telephone line interface circuits (e.g., DSL, POTS) subjected to lightning-induced surges per ITU-T K.20/K.21. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Downstream TVS stage after gas discharge tube (GDT), absorbing residual energy after GDT fires. Use Value: Limits let-through voltage to <30 V during 10/700 μs telecom surges - meets GR-1089-CORE Level 3 requirements. |
Use Scenario: Protecting gate drivers and MCU I/O in washing machine motor inverters from commutation spikes generated by BLDC motor back-EMF. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Clamping component across half-bridge leg or across MCU GPIO tied to hall-effect sensor inputs. Use Value: Absorbs repetitive 600 W pulses without parameter drift - validated for >100,000 surge cycles in appliance lifetime testing. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ18CA | Same VBR range (17.1–18.9 V) and bi-directional function, but SMC (DO-214AB) surface-mount package - 1.5× smaller footprint, higher IPPM (32.9 A) | Requires rework of PCB layout; better suited for space-constrained designs with automated SMT assembly | Select SMBJ18CA when board area is limited and thermal management via copper pour is feasible |
| 1.5KE18CA | Higher PPPM (1500 W), same DO-204AC package, but larger die size increases RθJA (75 °C/W vs. 20 °C/W junction-to-lead) | Offers greater surge margin for infrequent high-energy events (e.g., lightning), but slower thermal recovery limits repetitive duty | Choose 1.5KE18CA only for non-repetitive, high-amplitude threats where P6KE18C-E3/54's 600 W is insufficient |
Compared with SMBJ18CA and 1.5KE18CA, P6KE18C-E3/54 delivers optimal balance of through-hole manufacturability, thermal performance (RθJL = 20 °C/W), and cost for medium-duty automotive and industrial protection - especially where lead-based soldering or legacy assembly processes are used.
Availability
P6KE18C-E3/54 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power line protection, industrial sensor interface protection, telecom line surge protection, and consumer appliance motor control requiring stable component supply across production lifecycles.
Supply support for P6KE18C-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, TVS devices, and optoelectronics with emphasis on reliability, AEC-Q qualification, and industry-standard compliance.
The P6KE series was developed for cost-sensitive, high-volume transient suppression in commercial and automotive applications - prioritizing robust surge handling, UL/IEC recognition, and compatibility with legacy through-hole manufacturing infrastructure.
FAQ
What does the "C" suffix in P6KE18C-E3/54 indicate?
The "C" suffix denotes bi-directional functionality: P6KE18C-E3/54 clamps voltage transients of either polarity, making it suitable for AC-coupled lines, differential buses, or ungrounded circuits. Unlike uni-directional variants (e.g., P6KE18A), it has no cathode marking and identical electrical behavior in both directions - confirmed in the Vishay datasheet section "Devices for Bi-Direction Applications" and electrical characteristics table.
Is P6KE18C-E3/54 RoHS compliant and halogen-free?
Yes, P6KE18C-E3/54 carries the "E3" suffix, indicating RoHS compliance per Directive 2011/65/EU and adherence to JEDEC JS709A halogen-free standards. The matte tin-plated leads meet J-STD-002 solderability requirements, and the molding compound satisfies UL 94 V-0 flammability rating - all verified in the Vishay "Ordering Information" and "Mechanical Data" sections.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of P6KE18C-E3/54 under surge conditions?
The maximum clamping voltage (VC) of P6KE18C-E3/54 is 25.2 V at 23.8 A peak pulse current with a 10/1000 μs waveform - specified in the "Electrical Characteristics" table on page 2 of the Vishay datasheet (Doc. #88369). This value ensures protected circuits remain below critical overvoltage thresholds during standardized surge events.
Can P6KE18C-E3/54 be used in automotive applications?
Yes - the HE3 variant (P6KE18CHE3/54) is AEC-Q101 qualified, but even the commercial-grade P6KE18C-E3/54 is widely deployed in non-safety-critical automotive subsystems (e.g., infotainment, lighting, HVAC) due to its -55 °C to +175 °C operating range, UL 497B recognition, and proven performance against ISO 7637-2 pulses. Designers must verify qualification level per application requirements.
How does P6KE18C-E3/54 differ from P6KE18A-E3/54?
P6KE18C-E3/54 is bi-directional (no polarity marking, symmetrical clamping), while P6KE18A-E3/54 is uni-directional (cathode band marked, conducts only in reverse bias). Both share identical VBR (17.1–18.9 V), VWM (15.3 V), and VC (25.2 V), but P6KE18A adds forward voltage (VF = 3.5 V at 50 A) and IFSM (100 A) ratings - features irrelevant for P6KE18C-E3/54 due to its bidirectional operation.
P6KE18C-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:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 14.5V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 16.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 26.5V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 22.6A
- 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)
P6KE18C-E3/54 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P6KE18C-E3/54 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P6KE18C-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 P6KE18C-E3/54 reliable?
The price and inventory of P6KE18C-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 P6KE18C-E3/54 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P6KE18C-E3/54?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P6KE18C-E3/54 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P6KE18C-E3/54?
P6KE18C-E3/54 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P6KE18C-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 P6KE18C-E3/54?
For technical support, including P6KE18C-E3/54 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P6KE18C-E3/54 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P6KE18C-E3/54 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P6KE18C-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 P6KE18C-E3/54 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P6KE18C-E3/54?
All P6KE18C-E3/54 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P6KE18C-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 P6KE18C-E3/54 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P6KE18C-E3/54:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
P6KE18C-E3/54 Tags

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