Nexperia USA Inc. PDZ5.1B-QX

Overview

PDZ5.1B-QX from Nexperia is a single Zener diode designed for precision voltage regulation in low-power automotive and industrial circuits, with a nominal Zener voltage of 5.1 V at 5 mA, dynamic impedance of 250 Ω at 0.5 mA, leakage current ≤2 μA at 1.5 V, and AEC-Q101 qualification for under-hood applications.

For engineers reviewing the PDZ5.1B-QX datasheet, PDZ5.1B-QX pinout, PDZ5.1B-QX application, or PDZ5.1B-QX equivalent, this device is selected for stable reference generation in power supply feedback paths, ESD-protected sensor biasing, and low-current voltage clamping where tight tolerance (±2 %), hard breakdown knee, and low thermal drift (+0.3 mV/K) are critical.

Technical Context

This Zener operates in reverse-biased breakdown mode to maintain a stable reference voltage across its cathode–anode terminals. Its 5.1 V nominal working voltage is specified at I_Z = 5 mA, with typical differential resistance of 250 Ω at 0.5 mA and 60 Ω at 5 mA - enabling predictable regulation under light-load conditions.

Thermal performance is defined by R_th(j-sp) = 130 K/W (junction-to-solder point) and R_th(j-a) = 340 K/W on FR4 PCB, supporting operation up to T_j = +150 °C. The temperature coefficient of +0.3 mV/K at 5 mA indicates near-zero drift near the 5.1 V nominal point, ideal for temperature-sensitive references.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PDZ5.1B-QX is housed in a SOD323 (SC-76) surface-mount plastic package measuring 1.8 mm × 1.35 mm × 0.95 mm, with gull-wing leads optimized for reflow soldering on FR4 PCBs using standard footprint per Figure 9 of the datasheet.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Zener diode voltage regulation applications.

Compared with BZX584C5V1 and MMSZ5231B, PDZ5.1B-QX offers superior tolerance control, lower leakage, and automotive qualification in the smallest footprint - making it optimal for space-constrained, high-reliability 5.1 V reference applications.

Availability

PDZ5.1B-QX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, industrial sensor signal conditioning, USB-C power delivery monitors, and smart meter reference subsystems requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term continuity.

Supply support for PDZ5.1B-QX 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

Nexperia is a global semiconductor expert focused on high-volume, high-reliability discrete and logic devices, with leadership in automotive-qualified components and energy-efficient solutions.

PDZ5.1B-QX belongs to the PDZ-B-Q series of low-power Zener diodes engineered specifically for precision voltage regulation in automotive and industrial systems where AEC-Q101 compliance, small form factor, and tight parametric control are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum reverse current PDZ5.1B-QX can handle in non-repetitive surge conditions?

PDZ5.1B-QX supports a non-repetitive peak reverse current (I_ZSM) of 5.5 A at t_p = 100 μs and T_amb = 25 °C, as specified in Table 8 of the datasheet. This rating applies only to short-duration transients and must be derated linearly with increasing junction temperature or pulse width beyond 100 μs.

Does PDZ5.1B-QX require a series current-limiting resistor in all applications?

Yes - a series resistor is mandatory to limit reverse current to within the device's safe operating area. For example, at 12 V supply and 5.1 V Zener voltage, a minimum 1.4 kΩ resistor is required to keep power dissipation ≤400 mW at I_Z = 5 mA. The resistor value must be recalculated based on actual supply voltage, load current, and thermal environment.

How does the +0.3 mV/K temperature coefficient affect regulation accuracy over temperature?

At +0.3 mV/K, PDZ5.1B-QX exhibits a total drift of approximately +30 mV over a 100 K range (−40 °C to +60 °C), corresponding to <0.6 % change relative to 5.1 V. This near-zero coefficient makes it significantly more stable than lower-voltage Zeners (<4.7 V) or higher-voltage types (>6.2 V), which show negative or larger positive coefficients.

Can PDZ5.1B-QX be used in forward conduction mode like a standard diode?

Yes - PDZ5.1B-QX has a forward voltage (V_F) of ≤0.9 V at I_F = 10 mA and ≤1.1 V at I_F = 100 mA, per Table 7. It supports continuous forward current up to 200 mA (Table 5), making it usable as a low-drop rectifier or protection diode, though its primary design intent remains reverse-bias Zener regulation.