Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P6KE9.1-E3/73

Overview

P6KE9.1-E3/73 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode designed for primary-level overvoltage protection in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 9.1 V breakdown voltage (V_BR = 8.65–9.55 V at I_T = 1.0 mA), 13.4 V maximum clamping voltage (V_C) at 44.8 A peak pulse current, and 600 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 µs waveform. It is widely deployed in automotive sensor interfaces and industrial I/O modules to safeguard MOSFETs and microcontrollers against ESD and inductive switching transients.

For engineers reviewing the P6KE9.1-E3/73 datasheet, P6KE9.1-E3/73 pinout, P6KE9.1-E3/73 application, or P6KE9.1-E3/73 equivalent, key selection criteria include its DO-204AC (DO-15) axial package, unidirectional polarity with cathode band marking, 7.78 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 50 µA max reverse leakage at V_WM, and AEC-Q101 qualification for automotive-grade reliability.

Technical Context

This TVS diode operates as a voltage-clamped crowbar device: under normal bias it presents high impedance (>100 MΩ at V_WM), but triggers into low-impedance conduction when transient voltage exceeds V_BR, limiting downstream voltage to ≤13.4 V at 44.8 A. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable V_BR tolerance (±5%) and fast response time (<1.0 ns).

Thermally, it uses a DO-15 package with R_θJL = 20 °C/W (junction-to-lead) and R_θJA = 75 °C/W (junction-to-ambient), enabling 5.0 W steady-state dissipation on infinite heatsink at T_L = 75 °C. It supports 100 A non-repetitive forward surge current (I_FSM) per 8.3 ms half-sine wave and operates across –55 °C to +175 °C junction temperature range.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DO-204AC (DO-15) molded epoxy package with matte tin-plated leads; cathode identified by color band on body end. Leads conform to J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 solderability standards; RoHS-compliant (E3 suffix) and JESD 201 Class 1A whisker-tested.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.

Compared with SMAJ9.0A, P6KE9.1-E3/73 delivers 50% higher surge power handling in the same axial form factor; versus 1.5KE9.1A, it trades peak power for tighter V_BR tolerance and lower clamping voltage-critical for protecting low-voltage logic interfaces.

Availability

P6KE9.1-E3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor modules, industrial PLC inputs, and consumer power adapter outputs requiring stable component supply with full traceability and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for P6KE9.1-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, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific performance.

The P6KE series targets cost-sensitive, high-volume transient protection needs in automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics-designed for robustness in harsh environments without sacrificing clamping precision or surge endurance.

FAQ

What is the breakdown voltage tolerance for P6KE9.1-E3/73?

The P6KE9.1-E3/73 has a specified breakdown voltage range of 8.65 V to 9.55 V at test current I_T = 1.0 mA, corresponding to ±5% tolerance around the nominal 9.1 V rating. This tight tolerance ensures consistent clamping behavior across production lots and supports reliable overvoltage detection in precision power rails. The V_BR is measured under controlled 25 °C conditions and remains stable over temperature due to the device's 0.068 %/°C temperature coefficient.

Is P6KE9.1-E3/73 suitable for automotive applications?

Yes, P6KE9.1-E3/73 is AEC-Q101 qualified when ordered with the HE3 suffix (e.g., P6KE9.1AHE3/73); however, the E3 suffix variant (P6KE9.1-E3/73) is RoHS-compliant commercial grade and not AEC-Q101 certified. For automotive use, confirm ordering code includes HE3 and verify qualification status via Vishay's official documentation. The device's 175 °C max junction temperature and robust surge capability make it technically suitable-but formal qualification requires the HE3 version.

What is the maximum clamping voltage of P6KE9.1-E3/73 under surge conditions?

The maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of P6KE9.1-E3/73 is 13.4 V, measured at peak pulse current I_PPM = 44.8 A using the standard 10/1000 µs double-exponential waveform. This value represents the worst-case voltage seen by downstream circuitry during a full-rated surge event and is guaranteed across the operating temperature range. It ensures compatibility with 5 V and 3.3 V logic interfaces when used with appropriate series impedance.

How does P6KE9.1-E3/73 differ from bi-directional P6KE9.1CA variants?

P6KE9.1-E3/73 is unidirectional and features a cathode band marking; it conducts only in reverse breakdown and blocks forward current above ~3.5 V. In contrast, P6KE9.1CA is bi-directional with no polarity marking and clamps symmetrically in both directions-making it suitable for AC signal lines or differential buses. The unidirectional P6KE9.1-E3/73 offers lower leakage at V_WM (50 µA vs. 100 µA for CA types) and is preferred for DC rail protection where forward conduction must be avoided.

What package type and lead finish does P6KE9.1-E3/73 use?

P6KE9.1-E3/73 uses the DO-204AC (DO-15) axial-leaded package with matte tin-plated leads. The finish complies with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 for solderability and meets JESD 201 Class 1A whisker testing requirements. The E3 suffix confirms RoHS compliance and commercial-grade qualification; the package dimensions are standardized per JEDEC DO-15 outlines, enabling compatibility with automated insertion and wave soldering equipment.