Diodes Incorporated SA10A-T

Overview

SA10A-T from Diodes Incorporated is a unidirectional 500W transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-15 package, rated for 10V standoff voltage, 11.1–12.3V breakdown, 17.0V clamping at 29.4A peak pulse current, and -65°C to +175°C operating temperature. It protects DC power rails and I/O lines against ESD, lightning surges, and inductive switching transients in industrial control modules.

For engineers reviewing the SA10A-T datasheet, SA10A-T pinout, SA10A-T application, or SA10A-T equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping voltage margin relative to protected IC V_CC, peak pulse current handling under 10/1000µs waveform, thermal derating above 75°C lead temperature, and DO-15 mechanical compatibility with legacy board layouts.

Technical Context

This unidirectional TVS operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: it remains high-impedance below 10V standoff, avalanches sharply at 11.1–12.3V (I_t = 1.0mA), and clamps transients to ≤17.0V while conducting up to 29.4A peak pulse current (10/1000µs waveform). Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown and low leakage (<3.0µA @ 10V).

Designed for board-level surge immunity per IEC 61000-4-2 (±15kV contact) and IEC 61000-4-5 (4kV line-to-line), it delivers fast response (<1.0ns) and maintains stable clamping across -65°C to +175°C ambient, with power derating linear from 100% at T_L = 75°C to zero at T_L = 175°C.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DO-15 molded plastic package (UL 94V-0), axial leads, cathode band marked. Lead length 9.5 mm (board mounted), weight ≈0.4 g.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with P6KE10A, SA10A-T offers tighter clamping (17.0V vs. 18.0V) at lower peak current, improving protection margin for 12V logic; compared with SMAJ10A, its 500W rating supports full Level 4 surge compliance in through-hole layouts without thermal pad redesign.

Availability

SA10A-T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC I/O protection, automotive body control modules, DC power supply input stages, and telecom remote power feeds requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for SA10A-T 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

Diodes Incorporated is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, headquartered in Plano, Texas, with design, manufacturing, and sales operations across Asia, Europe, and North America.

The SAxxA series belongs to Diodes' transient voltage suppressor product line, engineered specifically for robust board-level ESD and surge protection in harsh industrial and automotive environments where reliability and wide temperature operation are critical.

FAQ

What is the meaning of the "-T" suffix in SA10A-T?

The "-T" suffix indicates tape-and-reel packaging: SA10A-T is supplied in 4,000-piece reels on 13-inch diameter carriers, optimized for automated SMT placement equipment despite its axial DO-15 form factor. This differs from the "-B" (bulk) variant and ensures consistent feeding and reduced handling damage during high-volume assembly.

Can SA10A-T be used in bidirectional signal lines?

No - SA10A-T is unidirectional and conducts only during positive transients on the cathode. For bidirectional lines like RS-485 or USB D+/D−, the bi-directional SA10CA-T variant must be used, which has symmetric clamping for both polarities and identical 10V standoff rating.

How does SA10A-T's 500W rating compare to standard 400W TVS diodes?

Its 500W rating reflects validated energy absorption under the standardized 10/1000µs waveform, providing ~25% higher surge headroom than typical 400W devices. This enables single-device protection for IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 (4kV) tests without parallel staging, reducing BOM count and layout complexity.

Is SA10A-T compliant with AEC-Q200 for automotive use?

No - SA10A-T is not AEC-Q200 qualified. While it operates from -65°C to +175°C and meets basic surge standards, Diodes Incorporated lists it as "Not Recommended for New Design" and suggests P6KE-series replacements for automotive qualification. Use only in non-safety-critical, non-qualified industrial applications unless fully validated per customer-specific requirements.