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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P6KE540A-E3/73
- Part No.:
- P6KE540A-E3/73
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
P6KE540A-E3/73.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 459VWM 740VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,862
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Product details
Overview
P6KE540A-E3/73 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode designed for high-energy surge protection in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 540 V breakdown voltage (VBR), 740 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 0.81 A peak pulse current (IPPM), 600 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs), and DO-15 package with AEC-Q101 qualification for automotive-grade reliability. It protects MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor interfaces against inductive switching transients.
For engineers reviewing the P6KE540A-E3/73 datasheet, P6KE540A-E3/73 pinout, P6KE540A-E3/73 application, or P6KE540A-E3/73 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, clamping behavior under surge conditions, thermal derating curves, junction-to-lead resistance, and real-world use cases in automotive power electronics and industrial control systems.
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: when reverse voltage exceeds its 513–567 V breakdown range (tested at 1.0 mA), it avalanches to limit transient energy. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable VBR tolerance (±5%) and low temperature coefficient (0.110 %/°C), critical for consistent clamping across -55 °C to +175 °C operating range.
It sustains 100 A non-repetitive forward surge current (8.3 ms half-sine), exhibits 5.0 W steady-state power dissipation on infinite heatsink at TL = 75 °C, and maintains <1.0 µA reverse leakage at 459 V stand-off voltage - enabling reliable hold-off in high-impedance monitoring circuits before clamping activates.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VBR (min/max) | 513 V / 567 V at IT = 1.0 mA - defines precise avalanche onset threshold for predictable clamping initiation |
| VWM | 459 V - maximum continuous reverse working voltage; circuit must operate below this to avoid leakage or premature conduction |
| VC @ IPPM | 740 V at IPPM = 0.81 A (10/1000 µs) - peak clamped voltage seen by protected load during worst-case surge |
| PPPM | 600 W - peak transient power absorption capability; determines survivability against lightning or ESD-like events |
| RθJL | 20 °C/W - junction-to-lead thermal resistance; enables accurate thermal design when mounted on PCB copper pour or chassis |
| IFSM | 100 A - 8.3 ms single half-sine surge rating; supports protection of power stages subject to motor commutation spikes |
| TJ max. | +175 °C - maximum junction temperature; allows operation in under-hood automotive environments without derating |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-15 (DO-204AC) - axial-leaded, molded epoxy case with matte tin-plated leads compliant to J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 solderability standards. Cathode identified by color band on body end.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Low-side reference terminal | Connected to ground or low-potential node; completes shunt path during reverse-biased avalanche |
| Cathode | High-side surge input terminal | Connected to protected line (e.g., 48 V rail); absorbs transient energy by clamping to VC relative to anode |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Glass passivated chip junction | Ensures ±5% VBR tolerance and long-term stability under thermal cycling and humidity stress |
| 600 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs) | Withstands automotive load-dump surges (ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a) without degradation when properly heatsinked |
| AEC-Q101 qualified (HE3 variant); E3 is commercial grade | P6KE540A-E3/73 meets commercial reliability requirements; HE3 suffix required for automotive production use |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes VC overshoot during fast-rising transients (<1 ns response), reducing stress on downstream silicon |
| UL 94 V-0 molded compound | Provides flame-retardant housing essential for safety-critical industrial and transportation equipment |
Applications
| Automotive Power Rail Protection | Industrial Sensor Interface Protection |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting 48 V battery-fed ECUs from ISO 7637-2 load dump pulses up to 60 V peak. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt TVS placed between power rail and chassis ground to clamp transients within safe operating area of downstream DC/DC converters. Use Value: Limits voltage excursion to ≤740 V during 0.81 A surge, preventing gate oxide rupture in 650 V SiC MOSFET drivers. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding analog front-end inputs of pressure sensors exposed to relay coil flyback in factory automation PLCs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional clamping not applicable; unidirectional P6KE540A-E3/73 used on supply side only to suppress positive-going spikes. Use Value: Clamps 10/1000 µs transients to 740 V while maintaining <1 µA leakage at 459 V, preserving sensor offset accuracy. |
| Telecom DC Feeder Line Protection | Renewable Energy Inverter DC Link |
|
Use Scenario: Guarding PoE++ (IEEE 802.3bt) 57 V power sourcing equipment against induced lightning surges on outdoor cabling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary overvoltage clamp on DC input stage, coordinated with upstream GDT and downstream MOV for staged protection. Use Value: Delivers 600 W pulse handling with 20 °C/W RθJL, enabling direct mounting to metal enclosure for passive thermal management. |
Use Scenario: Mitigating voltage spikes on 1000 V DC link of solar string inverters caused by rapid IGBT turn-off. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed across DC bus capacitors to absorb stored inductive energy during fault shutdown. Use Value: Withstands 100 A 8.3 ms surge (IFSM), supporting protection during inverter short-circuit clearing without catastrophic failure. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ540A | Same VBR (513–567 V) and VC (740 V), but SMC package (DO-214AB); 600 W rating, lower RθJA (50 °C/W vs. 75 °C/W) | Surface-mount layout; better thermal performance on dense PCBs; requires rework of footprint and stencil | Select SMBJ540A when board space is constrained and automated assembly is preferred over axial leaded components. |
| 1.5KE540A | Same DO-15 package and electrical specs, but 1500 W peak power (10/1000 µs); higher IPPM (1.62 A), larger junction, higher capacitance | Higher surge margin for infrequent but extreme events (e.g., direct lightning coupling); larger physical size and cost | Choose 1.5KE540A where system-level testing reveals marginal margin with P6KE540A-E3/73 under worst-case surge profiles. |
Compared with SMBJ540A and 1.5KE540A, P6KE540A-E3/73 offers optimal balance of axial-leaded manufacturability, 600 W surge capability, and cost efficiency for commercial-grade 48–60 V DC systems where ultra-high-energy events are statistically unlikely.
Availability
P6KE540A-E3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ECU power rail protection, industrial sensor interface hardening, telecom DC feeder line safeguarding, and renewable energy inverter DC link stabilization requiring stable component supply and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for P6KE540A-E3/73 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, power handling, and automotive qualification.
The P6KE series targets cost-sensitive commercial and industrial transient protection applications where robust 600 W surge capability, DO-15 form factor, and stable clamping performance are prioritized over ultra-low capacitance or surface-mount integration.
FAQ
What is the breakdown voltage tolerance for P6KE540A-E3/73?
The P6KE540A-E3/73 has a specified breakdown voltage range of 513 V to 567 V at test current IT = 1.0 mA, corresponding to ±5% tolerance around the nominal 540 V rating. This tight tolerance ensures consistent clamping behavior across production lots and supports deterministic circuit protection design without over-engineering margins.
Is P6KE540A-E3/73 suitable for automotive applications?
P6KE540A-E3/73 is RoHS-compliant and manufactured to commercial-grade specifications. For automotive use, Vishay offers the P6KE540AHE3/73 variant, which carries AEC-Q101 qualification. The E3 suffix alone does not meet automotive qualification requirements; designers must specify HE3 for production automotive deployments.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of P6KE540A-E3/73 under surge conditions?
The P6KE540A-E3/73 clamps to a maximum of 740 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 0.81 A using the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This VC value is measured at the device terminals and represents the highest voltage imposed on the protected circuit during surge conduction.
How does thermal resistance affect P6KE540A-E3/73 performance in continuous operation?
P6KE540A-E3/73 has a typical junction-to-lead thermal resistance (RθJL) of 20 °C/W. In applications with sustained power dissipation - such as repetitive low-energy transients - this parameter determines allowable ambient temperature rise. For example, at 2.5 W dissipation, junction temperature rises 50 °C above lead temperature, requiring proper PCB copper area or chassis contact to maintain TJ ≤ 175 °C.
Can P6KE540A-E3/73 be used in bidirectional configurations?
No - P6KE540A-E3/73 is a unidirectional TVS diode, indicated by the "A" suffix. Bidirectional variants use the "CA" suffix (e.g., P6KE440CA). Using P6KE540A-E3/73 in AC or bipolar signal paths would result in forward conduction during negative half-cycles, causing failure. Always select CA-suffixed parts for bidirectional protection.
P6KE540A-E3/73 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Box (TB)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 459V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 513V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 740V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 810mA
- 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)
P6KE540A-E3/73 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for P6KE540A-E3/73 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for P6KE540A-E3/73 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 P6KE540A-E3/73 reliable?
The price and inventory of P6KE540A-E3/73 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for P6KE540A-E3/73 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for P6KE540A-E3/73?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for P6KE540A-E3/73 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for P6KE540A-E3/73?
P6KE540A-E3/73 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your P6KE540A-E3/73 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 P6KE540A-E3/73?
For technical support, including P6KE540A-E3/73 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your P6KE540A-E3/73 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that P6KE540A-E3/73 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All P6KE540A-E3/73 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 P6KE540A-E3/73 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of P6KE540A-E3/73?
All P6KE540A-E3/73 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with P6KE540A-E3/73, 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 P6KE540A-E3/73 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for P6KE540A-E3/73:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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