Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation SA160CH
- Part No.:
- SA160CH
- Manufacturer:
- Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
SA160CH.pdf
- Description:
- 500W, 198V, 10%, BIDIRECTIONAL,
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:6,274
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Product details
Overview
SA160CH from Taiwan Semiconductor is a unidirectional 500W transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode with 160V working stand-off voltage, 178–218V breakdown voltage at 1mA test current, and 257V maximum clamping voltage at 2A peak pulse current. It features AEC-Q101 qualification, <1.0ps response time, and DO-204AC (DO-15) package for automotive-grade surge protection in power supply rails and interface lines.
For engineers reviewing the SA160CH datasheet, SA160CH pinout, SA160CH application, or SA160CH equivalent, key selection criteria include its 160V VWM rating, 257V VC@2A clamping performance, AEC-Q101 qualification status, DO-15 mechanical compatibility, and suitability for 12V/24V/48V automotive subsystems requiring IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3/4 immunity.
Technical Context
The SA160CH operates as a unidirectional avalanche diode, triggered when reverse voltage exceeds its 178–218V breakdown range. Its low dynamic impedance ensures stable clamping during 10/1000μs transients up to 500W, with <1μA leakage above 10V and thermal derating per Fig.2 to maintain operation up to TJ = +175°C.
Designed for single-polarity DC protection, it exhibits no bidirectional conduction-unlike CA-suffix variants-and relies on cathode-band polarity marking. Its junction capacitance is not specified in the provided data, and it does not support AC or bipolar surge suppression without external circuitry.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 160 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins |
| VBR min/max | 178 V / 218 V - Breakdown occurs within this range at 1 mA, defining turn-on threshold tolerance |
| VC @ IPPM | 257 V - Clamped voltage at 2 A peak pulse current, limiting downstream voltage stress |
| PPK | 500 W - Peak surge power handling per 10/1000μs waveform, enabling robust EFT/ESD/ISO 7637-2 protection |
| TJ max | +175 °C - Maximum junction temperature, supporting under-hood automotive deployment |
| Package | DO-204AC (DO-15) - Industry-standard axial leaded package with 0.400g mass and UL 94V-0 molding |
| AEC-Q101 | Qualified - Meets stress testing requirements for automotive electronic components including temperature cycling and HTRB |
Pinout & Package
SA160CH uses the DO-204AC (DO-15) axial-leaded package with cathode band marking for polarity identification. Leads are pure tin-plated and solderable per J-STD-002; device weight is approximately 0.400g.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Forward current entry / Reverse voltage reference node | Connected to lower-potential side of protected line (e.g., GND or return path) |
| Cathode | Clamping output / Surge current sink | Connected to higher-potential rail (e.g., 12V, 24V, or signal line) to shunt transients to ground |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive use via high-temperature reverse bias, temperature cycling, and mechanical shock tests |
| Sub-1ps response time | Enables clamping before transient energy couples into sensitive IC inputs, critical for CAN/LIN bus protection |
| Low IR leakage | <1 μA at 160V ensures minimal standby power loss and avoids false triggering in high-impedance circuits |
| 500W 10/1000μs rating | Supports ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/3a and IEC 61000-4-5 Combination Wave (1.2/50μs + 8/20μs) compliance |
| DO-15 mechanical standardization | Enables drop-in replacement in legacy designs using industry-common footprint and reflow/soldering profiles |
Applications
| Automotive Power Rail Protection | CAN Bus Transient Suppression |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12V/24V battery-fed ECUs against load dump and alternator ripple transients per ISO 7637-2. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed between power rail and chassis ground to clamp surges >160V. Use Value: Limits rail voltage to ≤257V during 500W transients, preventing damage to MCU power supplies and PMICs. | Use Scenario: Shielding high-speed CAN FD transceivers from ESD and coupled noise on differential bus lines. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Single-diode clamping on CAN_H or CAN_L line referenced to ground, leveraging fast <1ps turn-on. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or input-stage failure in transceivers while maintaining signal integrity below 1 Mbps. |
| Industrial Sensor Interface Protection | LED Driver Overvoltage Clamp |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding 4–20mA analog sensor outputs and ADC front-ends from field-induced surges in factory automation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional protection is not supported; SA160CH used only on grounded-side signal returns where polarity is fixed. Use Value: Maintains <1μA leakage at 160V, avoiding offset errors in precision current-loop receivers. | Use Scenario: Clamping flyback voltage spikes from inductive LED driver switching in automotive lighting modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Anode tied to LED string cathode, cathode to driver switch node to absorb inductive kickback. Use Value: Withstands 70A IFSM peak forward surge, enabling reliable protection across PWM dimming cycles. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Littelfuse SMAJ160A | Same 160V VWM, 259V VC@2A, DO-214AC package (SMA), slightly higher IR (5μA) | SMA package offers smaller footprint but requires PCB rework; lacks AEC-Q101 certification | Select if board space is constrained and automotive qualification is not required |
| ON Semiconductor 1.5SMC160AH | 160V VWM, 259V VC@2A, DO-214AB (SMC) package, AEC-Q101 qualified, 1.5kW rating | Higher PPK enables multi-pulse robustness; larger SMC package increases thermal mass but requires layout change | Select for enhanced surge margin in engine control units where space permits |
Compared with SMAJ160A and 1.5SMC160AH, the SA160CH provides identical clamping performance in a DO-15 through-hole package with certified AEC-Q101 reliability-making it optimal for legacy automotive designs requiring no PCB revision and proven under-hood longevity.
Availability
SA160CH is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive electronics, industrial power supplies, and LED lighting systems requiring stable component supply with full traceability and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for SA160CH 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 Company (TSC) is a vertically integrated semiconductor manufacturer specializing in discrete power devices, TVS diodes, rectifiers, and MOSFETs for industrial and automotive markets.
The SA Series was developed specifically for high-reliability transient suppression in harsh environments, emphasizing AEC-Q101 compliance, tight VBR tolerances, and consistent clamping performance across temperature.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SA160CH at its rated peak pulse current?
The SA160CH has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 257 V at 2 A peak pulse current (IPPM), measured under the standard 10/1000 μs double-exponential waveform. This value defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events and is confirmed in the "Maximum Ratings and Electrical Characteristics" table for SA160H. The SA160CH maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range.
Is SA160CH suitable for bidirectional transient protection?
No, SA160CH is a unidirectional TVS diode and is not rated for bidirectional operation. Its electrical characteristics-including breakdown voltage and clamping behavior-are specified only for reverse-biased conditions. For bidirectional protection, the SA160CA variant (with 'CA' suffix) must be used. The SA160CH cathode band marking indicates polarity-sensitive placement and prohibits AC or symmetrical surge suppression without external circuitry.
Does SA160CH meet AEC-Q101 reliability standards?
Yes, SA160CH is explicitly AEC-Q101 qualified, as indicated by the 'H' suffix in its ordering code per the SA Series Ordering Information table. This qualification covers stress tests including high-temperature reverse bias (HTRB), temperature cycling, and mechanical shock-validating its suitability for automotive powertrain, body, and chassis applications where long-term reliability under thermal and vibration stress is mandatory.
What is the maximum steady-state power dissipation for SA160CH?
The SA160CH has a steady-state power dissipation (PD) rating of 3 W when mounted on 10 × 10 mm copper pads per terminal at TL = 75°C, as specified in the Absolute Maximum Ratings table. This value applies only to continuous DC or low-frequency operation-not surge conditions-and assumes proper PCB thermal design. Exceeding this limit risks thermal runaway due to cumulative junction heating beyond the +175°C TJ max rating.
Can SA160CH replace SA160A in an existing design?
SA160CH and SA160A share identical electrical parameters (VWM = 160 V, VBR = 178–218 V, VC = 257 V) and DO-204AC package, but SA160CH adds AEC-Q101 qualification while SA160A does not. If the application requires automotive qualification, SA160CH is a direct functional and mechanical upgrade. No PCB changes are needed, though final validation should confirm system-level ESD/EMC performance meets target standards.
SA160CH Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation
- Package/Case:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Series:
- SA
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 160V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 178V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 257V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 2A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 500W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- -
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 175°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-204AC (DO-15)
SA160CH FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SA160CH through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SA160CH 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 SA160CH reliable?
The price and inventory of SA160CH are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SA160CH is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SA160CH?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SA160CH transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SA160CH?
SA160CH orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SA160CH 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 SA160CH?
For technical support, including SA160CH datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SA160CH requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SA160CH is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SA160CH 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 SA160CH meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SA160CH?
All SA160CH units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SA160CH, 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 SA160CH part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SA160CH:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
SA160CH Tags

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