Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division P6SMB68AHM3_A/H

Overview

P6SMB68AHM3_A/H from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in SMB (DO-214AA) package, rated for 68 V breakdown voltage (V_BR = 64.6–71.4 V at 1 mA), 58.1 V standoff voltage (V_WM), and 92.0 V clamping voltage (V_C) at 6.5 A peak pulse current (I_PPM). It delivers 600 W peak pulse power with 10/1000 μs waveform and is halogen-free, RoHS-compliant, and AEC-Q101 qualified for automotive use.

For engineers reviewing the P6SMB68AHM3_A/H datasheet, P6SMB68AHM3_A/H pinout, P6SMB68AHM3_A/H application, or P6SMB68AHM3_A/H equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping performance under 6.5 A surge, thermal resistance (R_θJA = 100 °C/W), junction temperature range (−65 to +150 °C), and compliance with automotive reliability standards.

Technical Context

This TVS diode operates as a unidirectional overvoltage protection device, leveraging a glass-passivated silicon junction to achieve fast response time (<1 ns) and low incremental surge resistance. Its clamping action limits transient-induced voltage spikes on power rails or signal lines before they reach sensitive downstream components like MCUs or MOSFETs.

The device is designed for mounting on 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads per terminal and meets MSL level 1 per J-STD-020 with LF peak of 260 °C. It supports repetitive surge duty cycle of 0.01 % and derates linearly above T_A = 25 °C per published curves.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMB (DO-214AA), surface-mount, low-profile case with matte tin-plated leads solderable per J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102. Cathode indicated by band marking.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMAJ68AHE3/A, P6SMB68AHM3_A/H offers 50 % higher surge power and superior thermal resistance; versus 1.5SMC68AHM3_A/H, it provides identical clamping with 30 % smaller PCB area-ideal for space-constrained automotive modules.

Availability

P6SMB68AHM3_A/H is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, telecom power supplies, and consumer USB-C protection requiring stable component supply and AEC-Q101 traceability.

Supply support for P6SMB68AHM3_A/H 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, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.

The P6SMB Series is part of Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS platform, engineered specifically for high-energy transient suppression in automotive, industrial, and communications systems where consistent clamping and AEC-Q101 validation are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of P6SMB68AHM3_A/H and how is it measured?

The clamping voltage (V_C) of P6SMB68AHM3_A/H is 92.0 V, measured at 6.5 A peak pulse current using a 10/1000 μs double-exponential waveform per IEC 61000-4-5. This value reflects the maximum voltage seen across the device terminals during a standardized surge event and is critical for ensuring downstream ICs remain within their absolute maximum ratings. The P6SMB68AHM3_A/H achieves this clamping performance consistently due to its glass-passivated junction and low incremental resistance.

Is P6SMB68AHM3_A/H suitable for automotive applications?

Yes, P6SMB68AHM3_A/H is AEC-Q101 qualified and carries the HM3 suffix indicating halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction with automotive-grade reliability testing. It is explicitly rated for operation from −65 °C to +150 °C junction temperature and validated for thermal cycling, highly accelerated life testing (HALT), and ESD per AEC-Q101. The P6SMB68AHM3_A/H is commonly deployed in engine control units, body electronics, and ADAS camera modules where transient immunity is mission-critical.

What does the "_A/H" suffix mean in P6SMB68AHM3_A/H?

The "_A/H" suffix in P6SMB68AHM3_A/H denotes packaging and revision coding: "A" indicates the device revision level per Vishay's internal documentation, and "H" specifies 7-inch plastic tape-and-reel delivery with 750 units per reel. The full suffix confirms halogen-free (HM3), AEC-Q101 qualification (implied by HM3_B/H or HM3_D/H pattern in ordering table), and compliance with JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance. This distinguishes P6SMB68AHM3_A/H from commercial-grade M3 or E3 variants.

How does P6SMB68AHM3_A/H compare to bidirectional TVS diodes in the same series?

P6SMB68AHM3_A/H is unidirectional, meaning it blocks reverse voltage up to 58.1 V (V_WM) and clamps only positive transients on the cathode side. Bidirectional variants (e.g., P6SMB68CA) provide symmetrical clamping for AC-coupled or floating lines but exhibit higher leakage and reduced V_BR consistency. The P6SMB68AHM3_A/H is preferred for DC power rails where polarity is fixed and lowest possible leakage (<1 μA at V_WM) is required-such as in always-on automotive modules.

What PCB layout guidance applies to P6SMB68AHM3_A/H for optimal thermal performance?

For optimal thermal performance, P6SMB68AHM3_A/H must be mounted on minimum 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads per terminal, as specified in the Vishay datasheet. These pads act as heat spreaders to achieve the rated R_θJA of 100 °C/W. Avoid narrow traces between the device and pads; use thermal vias under pads if layer stack permits. The P6SMB68AHM3_A/H thermal design assumes no additional heatsinking-larger copper areas directly improve surge survivability and steady-state power handling.