Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation SA11CA

Overview

SA11CA from Taiwan Semiconductor is a unidirectional 500W transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-204AC (DO-15) package, with 12.2V minimum breakdown voltage (V_BR), 11V working stand-off voltage (V_WM), and 20.1V maximum clamping voltage (V_C) at 26A peak pulse current - designed for ESD and electrical fast transient protection in automotive lighting and power supply input stages.

For engineers reviewing the SA11CA datasheet, SA11CA pinout, SA11CA application, or SA11CA equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, polarity-aware package details, AEC-Q101 qualification status, clamping performance under 10/1000μs surge, and real-world use cases in inductive load switching and IC-level ESD hardening.

Technical Context

The SA11CA operates as a unidirectional avalanche diode, triggering conduction when reverse voltage exceeds its 12.2–14.9V breakdown range at 1mA test current. It clamps transients to ≤20.1V at 26A (10/1000μs waveform), with <1μA reverse leakage above 11V and a fast response time of <1.0ps from 0V to V_BR.

Its thermal design supports continuous operation from –55°C to +175°C junction temperature, with 3W steady-state power dissipation on 10×10mm copper pads and 500W non-repetitive peak pulse capability - enabling robust protection in space-constrained automotive and industrial PCB layouts without active biasing or control logic.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DO-204AC (DO-15) axial-leaded package with cathode band marking; leads are pure tin-plated, solderable per J-STD-002, and meet JESD 201 Class 2 whisker resistance. Polarity is unidirectional: anode (unmarked end), cathode (banded end).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMAJ11A and P6KE11A, SA11CA uniquely combines AEC-Q101 qualification, 20.1V clamping at 26A, and DO-204AC axial form factor - making it the preferred choice for automotive lighting and high-reliability 12V rail protection where certified qualification and precise clamping voltage are mandatory.

Availability

SA11CA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive LED lighting systems, industrial PLC input modules, DC-DC converter front-ends, and USB-C power delivery port protection requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for SA11CA 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

Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation (TSC) is a vertically integrated semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, specializing in discrete power devices, TVS diodes, rectifiers, and automotive-qualified components since 1979.

The SA Series was developed specifically for high-energy transient suppression in automotive and industrial environments, emphasizing AEC-Q101 compliance, tight V_BR tolerances, and low-clamp performance in axial packages - addressing design needs for robust, drop-in ESD and load-dump protection.

FAQ

What is the exact breakdown voltage range for SA11CA?

The SA11CA has a minimum breakdown voltage (V_BR) of 12.2 V and a maximum of 14.9 V at 1 mA test current, as specified in the official Taiwan Semiconductor datasheet (Version L2105). This range ensures consistent avalanche initiation across production lots while allowing design margin for worst-case overvoltage conditions. The SA11CA's V_BR is measured after 300 μs square-wave pulse application, per ANSI/IEEE C62.35 standards.

Is SA11CA unidirectional or bidirectional, and how is polarity marked?

The SA11CA is a unidirectional TVS diode, with polarity indicated by a cathode band on the DO-204AC (DO-15) package - the banded end is the cathode, connected to the protected voltage rail, while the unmarked end is the anode, tied to ground. Bidirectional variants in the SA series use "CA" suffix only for types SA5.0 through SA170, but SA11CA is explicitly unidirectional per ordering code and mechanical data. This polarity must be observed to ensure proper clamping behavior.

Does SA11CA meet AEC-Q101 requirements, and what does the "CA" suffix signify?

Yes, SA11CA is the AEC-Q101 qualified version of the SA11 family - confirmed in the Ordering Information section (Version L2105), where "H" denotes AEC-Q101 qualification and "CA" indicates the qualified variant. The "CA" suffix distinguishes it from non-qualified SA11 parts and reflects full stress testing per AEC-Q101 Rev D, including temperature cycling, humidity bias HAST, and mechanical shock - essential for automotive under-hood and lighting applications.

What is the maximum clamping voltage of SA11CA under standard surge conditions?

The SA11CA clamps to a maximum of 20.1 V at 26 A peak pulse current (I_PPM) under the industry-standard 10/1000 μs double-exponential surge waveform. This value is guaranteed across temperature and lot variations, and directly determines the peak stress imposed on downstream components such as LED drivers or microcontrollers. The low V_C reflects optimized silicon design and ensures compatibility with 24V-tolerant ICs in 12V automotive systems.

Can SA11CA be used in place of SA11 without redesigning the PCB layout?

Yes, SA11CA shares identical DO-204AC (DO-15) package dimensions, lead spacing, and axial pinout with SA11, enabling direct replacement without PCB changes. Both parts have the same mechanical footprint, weight (~0.400 g), and solderability per J-STD-002. However, SA11CA adds AEC-Q101 qualification and may exhibit tighter parametric distributions - no electrical or mechanical adaptation is needed, but qualification documentation should be updated for automotive programs.