Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P6SMB16A-E3/52

Overview

P6SMB16A-E3/52 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in the P6SMB series, designed for robust overvoltage protection of sensitive electronics. It features a 16 V standoff voltage (V_WM), 22.5 V maximum clamping voltage (V_C) at 26.7 A peak pulse current, and 600 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 μs waveform - deployed on power rails, I/O lines, and sensor interfaces in industrial control and automotive ECUs.

For engineers reviewing the P6SMB16A-E3/52 datasheet, P6SMB16A-E3/52 pinout, P6SMB16A-E3/52 application, or P6SMB16A-E3/52 equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping performance under 26.7 A surge, thermal resistance (R_θJA = 100 °C/W), RoHS-compliant SMB (DO-214AA) package compatibility, and unidirectional polarity marking for cathode identification.

Technical Context

The P6SMB16A-E3/52 operates as a silicon avalanche diode that enters breakdown at 15.2–16.8 V (V_BR at 1 mA), clamping transients to ≤22.5 V within nanoseconds. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable leakage (<1.0 μA at 13.6 V) and low incremental surge resistance, enabling reliable protection against ESD, lightning-induced surges, and inductive switching spikes.

Mounted on standard 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads, it sustains repetitive 600 W pulses at 0.01% duty cycle and handles 100 A non-repetitive forward surge (8.3 ms half-sine). Junction temperature remains within -65 °C to +150 °C, with MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity and matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 solderability standards.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMB (DO-214AA), surface-mount, low-profile plastic case with matte tin-plated leads; cathode indicated by band at one end.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMAJ16A and 1.5SMC16A, the P6SMB16A-E3/52 delivers optimal balance of 600 W surge capacity, 22.5 V clamping, and compact SMB footprint - making it the preferred choice for space-constrained industrial and automotive PCBs requiring certified surge resilience without over-engineering.

Availability

P6SMB16A-E3/52 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, automotive body control modules, telecom power supplies, and consumer IoT sensor nodes requiring stable component supply, RoHS compliance, and consistent surge performance across production batches.

Supply support for P6SMB16A-E3/52 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, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, and passive components with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.

The P6SMB series was engineered for high-reliability transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where consistent clamping, low leakage, and AEC-Q101 qualification (in HE3 variants) are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the standoff voltage (V_WM) of the P6SMB16A-E3/52?

The P6SMB16A-E3/52 has a maximum reverse standoff voltage (V_WM) of 13.6 V, meaning it remains non-conductive up to this DC or RMS voltage level. This value ensures safe operation on 12 V nominal systems while preserving sufficient margin below its 15.2–16.8 V breakdown range. The P6SMB16A-E3/52 maintains leakage current below 1.0 μA at this voltage, supporting low-power sensor and communication circuits.

How does the P6SMB16A-E3/52 perform under a 10/1000 μs surge waveform?

Under the standardized 10/1000 μs double-exponential surge waveform, the P6SMB16A-E3/52 clamps to a maximum of 22.5 V at a peak pulse current of 26.7 A, delivering 600 W of peak pulse power. This performance is validated per Fig. 1 and Table on page 2 of Vishay document 88370. The P6SMB16A-E3/52 achieves this with sub-nanosecond response and minimal overshoot due to its low-junction-capacitance design.

Is the P6SMB16A-E3/52 RoHS-compliant and lead-free?

Yes, the P6SMB16A-E3/52 carries the "E3" suffix, indicating full RoHS compliance and lead-free construction per EU Directive 2011/65/EU. Its matte tin-plated terminals meet J-STD-002 solderability requirements and support lead-free reflow profiles up to 260 °C peak temperature. The P6SMB16A-E3/52 is classified as MSL Level 1, eliminating bake-out requirements prior to assembly.

What package type does the P6SMB16A-E3/52 use, and what are its key mechanical dimensions?

The P6SMB16A-E3/52 uses the SMB (DO-214AA) surface-mount package: 4.57 mm × 3.94 mm × 2.20 mm (L × W × H), with cathode band marking and 0.030"–0.060" lead thickness. Per Vishay's outline drawing on page 5, recommended mounting pad layout is 0.220" × 0.205" (5.59 mm × 5.21 mm) copper area per terminal. The P6SMB16A-E3/52's low-profile form factor supports automated pick-and-place and high-density PCB layouts.

Can the P6SMB16A-E3/52 be used in automotive applications?

The base P6SMB16A-E3/52 is commercial-grade and not AEC-Q101 qualified; however, Vishay offers the P6SMB16AHE3_B variant (with "HE3_B" suffix) which is fully AEC-Q101 qualified for automotive use. That version shares identical electrical specs - including 13.6 V V_WM, 22.5 V V_C, and 600 W P_PPM - but adds extended temperature validation, enhanced process controls, and traceability required for under-hood and chassis applications. The P6SMB16A-E3/52 itself is suited for non-safety-critical automotive subsystems where qualification is not mandated.