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Home > Products > Circuit Protection > Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) > TVS Diodes

Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SA15C-E3/54

Name: SA15C-E3/54
Brand: Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
SKU: SA15C-E3/54
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: SA15C-E3/54

Manufacturer:: Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division

Category:: TVS Diodes

Package:: DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial

Datasheet:: SA15C-E3/54.pdf

Description:: TVS DIODE 15VWM 26.9VC DO204AC

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Product details

Overview

SA15C-E3/54 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bi-directional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-204AC (DO-15) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on signal or power lines. It features a 15 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 16.7–18.5 V breakdown voltage (V_BR) at 1 mA, 20.5 A peak pulse current (I_PPM) under 10/1000 µs waveform, 500 W peak pulse power (P_PPM), and clamps to ≤24.4 V at rated I_PPM. It is used in automotive sensor protection and industrial I/O interface surge suppression.

For engineers reviewing the SA15C-E3/54 datasheet, SA15C-E3/54 pinout, SA15C-E3/54 application, or SA15C-E3/54 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, bi-directional TVS behavior, DO-15 mechanical data, AEC-Q101 qualification status, and real-world ESD/lightning transient protection use cases - all confirmed from Vishay's official document 88378.

Technical Context

The SA15C-E3/54 operates as a symmetrical avalanche diode with identical forward and reverse breakdown characteristics, enabling bidirectional clamping without polarity sensitivity. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable V_BR tolerance (±5 % for SA15C) and low incremental surge resistance, critical for fast transient response (<1 ns).

It complies with AEC-Q101 for automotive-grade reliability and supports repetitive surge events at 0.01 % duty cycle. The device is rated for T_J = –55 °C to +175 °C and exhibits a temperature coefficient of +0.016 %/°C for V_BR, ensuring predictable clamping across wide thermal ranges.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_WM	15 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins
V_BR (min/max)	16.7 V / 18.5 V at I_T = 1 mA - Ensures reliable turn-on within tight tolerance band for consistent protection threshold
I_PPM	20.5 A (10/1000 µs) - Sustains high-energy surges typical of inductive switching or lightning-induced transients
V_C	≤24.4 V at I_PPM - Clamping voltage limits downstream IC stress to safe levels during surge events
P_PPM	500 W - Peak pulse power handling capability defines transient energy absorption capacity
T_J max.	+175 °C - Enables operation in under-hood automotive or high-temperature industrial environments
AEC-Q101	Qualified - Validated for automotive electronics per stress test requirements including HTOL, TC, and HTRB

Pinout & Package

Package: DO-204AC (DO-15), axial-leaded, molded epoxy case meeting UL 94 V-0. Matte tin-plated leads, RoHS-compliant (E3 suffix), JESD 201 Class 1A whisker tested. Bi-directional type - no polarity marking.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
Anode/Cathode (symmetrical)	Bi-directional avalanche junction terminals	No functional distinction - either lead serves as input/output for transient clamping in both directions

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Glass passivated chip junction	Ensures stable V_BR and long-term parameter consistency under thermal cycling and humidity stress
500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs)	Supports robust protection against ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/5a and IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 surges
AEC-Q101 qualified	Validated for automotive applications including engine control units, body electronics, and ADAS sensor interfaces
Low clamping ratio (V_C/V_BR ≈ 1.46)	Minimizes overvoltage exposure to protected ICs while maintaining margin above V_WM
Fast response time (<1 ns)	Clamps transients before sensitive downstream circuitry experiences damaging voltage overshoot

Applications

Automotive Sensor Protection	Industrial I/O Interface
Use Scenario: Protecting CAN/LIN bus transceivers and analog sensor inputs (e.g., pressure, temperature) from load dump and ESD in vehicle ECUs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bi-directional TVS clamp placed directly at connector entry point to shunt surge energy to ground before reaching signal conditioning circuitry. Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤24.4 V, preserving integrity of 3.3 V/5 V microcontrollers and ADC front-ends under ISO 16750-2 load-dump conditions.	Use Scenario: Safeguarding RS-485/RS-232 communication ports on PLC modules and motor drives exposed to field wiring surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary line-side surge suppressor on differential data lines, operating symmetrically to protect both polarities of signal swing. Use Value: Withstands 20.5 A peak pulses without degradation, enabling compliance with IEC 61000-4-5 (10/1000 µs) up to 1 kV open-circuit voltage.
Consumer Power Adapter Input	Telecom Line Card Protection
Use Scenario: Secondary-side DC input protection in wall adapters and USB PD chargers subject to capacitor discharge and hot-plug transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff-rated clamping device placed after rectification but before primary DC-DC converter, absorbing residual AC-line coupled spikes. Use Value: 15 V V_WM allows compatibility with 12 V nominal rails while clamping to 24.4 V - sufficient headroom for 24 V tolerant controllers.	Use Scenario: Overvoltage protection on analog subscriber line interfaces (SLIC) and DSL front-ends in central office equipment. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional shunt element on tip/ring lines, suppressing lightning-induced common-mode surges without affecting normal AC signaling. Use Value: Symmetrical V_BR and low capacitance (<100 pF at 0 V) prevent signal distortion on voice-band and broadband telecom channels.

Automotive Sensor Protection

Industrial I/O Interface

Use Scenario: Protecting CAN/LIN bus transceivers and analog sensor inputs (e.g., pressure, temperature) from load dump and ESD in vehicle ECUs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bi-directional TVS clamp placed directly at connector entry point to shunt surge energy to ground before reaching signal conditioning circuitry.

Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤24.4 V, preserving integrity of 3.3 V/5 V microcontrollers and ADC front-ends under ISO 16750-2 load-dump conditions.

Use Scenario: Safeguarding RS-485/RS-232 communication ports on PLC modules and motor drives exposed to field wiring surges.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary line-side surge suppressor on differential data lines, operating symmetrically to protect both polarities of signal swing.

Use Value: Withstands 20.5 A peak pulses without degradation, enabling compliance with IEC 61000-4-5 (10/1000 µs) up to 1 kV open-circuit voltage.

Consumer Power Adapter Input

Telecom Line Card Protection

Use Scenario: Secondary-side DC input protection in wall adapters and USB PD chargers subject to capacitor discharge and hot-plug transients.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff-rated clamping device placed after rectification but before primary DC-DC converter, absorbing residual AC-line coupled spikes.

Use Value: 15 V V_WM allows compatibility with 12 V nominal rails while clamping to 24.4 V - sufficient headroom for 24 V tolerant controllers.

Use Scenario: Overvoltage protection on analog subscriber line interfaces (SLIC) and DSL front-ends in central office equipment.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional shunt element on tip/ring lines, suppressing lightning-induced common-mode surges without affecting normal AC signaling.

Use Value: Symmetrical V_BR and low capacitance (<100 pF at 0 V) prevent signal distortion on voice-band and broadband telecom channels.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
SMAJ15CA	Same V_WM (15 V), lower P_PPM (400 W), SMA package (surface-mount)	Requires PCB rework for SMT layout; lacks AEC-Q101 qualification	Select when board space is constrained and automotive qualification is not required.
1.5KE15CA	Same V_WM (15 V), higher P_PPM (1500 W), DO-204AL (DO-41) package, lead-free but not AEC-Q101 qualified	Larger footprint and higher clamping voltage (V_C = 24.4 V same, but higher I_PPM rating implies different surge profile handling)	Select for higher-energy surge environments where DO-41 mechanical robustness is preferred over AEC-Q101 compliance.

Compared with SMAJ15CA and 1.5KE15CA, the SA15C-E3/54 uniquely combines AEC-Q101 qualification, DO-15 through-hole reliability, and precise 500 W/20.5 A surge capability - making it optimal for automotive and industrial designs requiring traceable qualification and proven field performance.

Availability

SA15C-E3/54 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor protection, industrial I/O interface hardening, and telecom line card surge suppression requiring stable component supply and full traceability.

Supply support for SA15C-E3/54 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 and automotive-grade validation.

The SAxxC series is part of Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS family, engineered specifically for robust, bidirectional transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom infrastructure applications demanding AEC-Q101 compliance and repeatable clamping performance.

FAQ

What is the polarity configuration of SA15C-E3/54?

The SA15C-E3/54 is a bi-directional TVS diode with symmetrical avalanche characteristics - neither terminal is designated anode or cathode. It provides identical clamping in both directions, and no polarity marking is present on the DO-15 package. This makes SA15C-E3/54 ideal for protecting AC-coupled or differential signal lines where voltage polarity reverses during normal operation.

Does SA15C-E3/54 meet automotive qualification standards?

Yes, SA15C-E3/54 is AEC-Q101 qualified, as confirmed in Vishay document 88378. This qualification covers stress tests including high-temperature operating life (HTOL), temperature cycling (TC), and high-temperature reverse bias (HTRB), validating its suitability for under-hood and chassis-mounted automotive electronics. The "HE3" variant is explicitly marked for AEC-Q101, but the E3 suffix in SA15C-E3/54 denotes RoHS compliance and commercial grade - however, the base SA15C device itself is AEC-Q101 qualified per datasheet note (1) on page 3.

What is the maximum clamping voltage of SA15C-E3/54 at rated surge current?

The maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of SA15C-E3/54 is 24.4 V at I_PPM = 20.5 A with a 10/1000 µs waveform, per Vishay's electrical characteristics table. This value represents the upper limit of voltage seen by downstream circuitry during a full-rated transient event, providing a critical design margin for 24 V tolerant systems and safeguarding 3.3 V/5 V logic interfaces when combined with appropriate series impedance.

How does SA15C-E3/54 differ from the uni-directional SA15A-E3/54?

SA15C-E3/54 is bi-directional with symmetrical breakdown and clamping in both polarities, while SA15A-E3/54 is uni-directional and conducts only in reverse bias (cathode-banded). SA15C-E3/54 has no polarity marking and supports AC or differential signal protection; SA15A-E3/54 requires correct orientation and is suited for DC rail protection. Their V_WM, V_BR, and V_C values are nearly identical, but SA15A-E3/54 specifies I_FSM = 70 A and V_F = 3.5 V - parameters not applicable to SA15C-E3/54 due to its bi-directional nature.

What is the lead finish and soldering compatibility of SA15C-E3/54?

SA15C-E3/54 features matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 for solderability. It supports wave and hand soldering with a maximum solder dip temperature of 275 °C for 10 seconds (per JESD 22-B106). The E3 suffix confirms RoHS compliance and JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance, ensuring long-term interconnect reliability in vibration-prone or thermally cycled applications.

SA15C-E3/54 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division

Package/Case:: DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial

Series:: TransZorb®

Packaging:: Tape & Reel (TR)

Product Status:: Obsolete

Type:: Zener

Unidirectional Channels:: -

Bidirectional Channels:: 1

Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):: 15V

Voltage - Breakdown (Min):: 16.7V

Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:: 26.9V

Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):: 18.6A

Power - Peak Pulse:: 500W

Power Line Protection:: No

Applications:: General Purpose

Capacitance @ Frequency:: -

Operating Temperature:: -55°C ~ 175°C (TJ)

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: DO-204AC (DO-15)

SA15C-E3/54 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for SA15C-E3/54 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SA15C-E3/54 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for SA15C-E3/54 reliable?

The price and inventory of SA15C-E3/54 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SA15C-E3/54 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for SA15C-E3/54?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SA15C-E3/54 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for SA15C-E3/54?

SA15C-E3/54 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your SA15C-E3/54 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for SA15C-E3/54?

For technical support, including SA15C-E3/54 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SA15C-E3/54 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that SA15C-E3/54 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All SA15C-E3/54 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that SA15C-E3/54 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of SA15C-E3/54?

All SA15C-E3/54 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SA15C-E3/54, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The SA15C-E3/54 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for SA15C-E3/54:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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