Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SA160CHE3/73
- Part No.:
- SA160CHE3/73
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
SA160CHE3/73.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 160VWM 257VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:7,052
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Product details
Overview
SA160CHE3/73 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 160 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 196 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 1.9 A peak pulse current (IPPM), 500 W peak pulse power (PPPM), and AEC-Q101 qualification for automotive use.
For engineers reviewing the SA160CHE3/73 datasheet, SA160CHE3/73 pinout, SA160CHE3/73 application, or SA160CHE3/73 equivalent, key selection criteria include bi-directional clamping capability, 175 °C max junction temperature, RoHS-compliant HE3 suffix (JESD 201 Class 2 whisker test), and compatibility with 10/1000 μs surge waveforms in industrial sensor protection and automotive ECUs.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates symmetrically in both polarities, with breakdown voltage (VBR) specified from 178 V to 197 V at 1 mA test current and reverse leakage (ID) ≤ 1.0 μA at 160 V. Its low incremental clamping resistance enables fast suppression of inductive switching spikes and ESD events without forward conduction.
The device uses glass-passivated chip junction technology and is rated for 75 °C lead temperature derating per Fig. 5. It supports repetitive 0.01 % duty cycle surges and meets UL 94 V-0 flammability requirements via molded epoxy encapsulation.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 160 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins |
| VBR (min/max) | 178 V / 197 V at 1 mA - Ensures reliable turn-on above system operating voltage with margin |
| VC @ IPPM | 196 V at 1.9 A - Clamped voltage during 10/1000 μs transient, limiting downstream stress |
| PPPM | 500 W - Peak surge energy handling capacity under standardized waveform |
| TJ max. | 175 °C - Enables operation in under-hood automotive environments and high-ambient industrial settings |
| Qualification | AEC-Q101 qualified - Validated for automotive electronic control units and infotainment systems |
| RoHS | HE3 suffix - RoHS-compliant with JESD 201 Class 2 whisker resistance for long-term solder joint reliability |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-204AC (DO-15), axial-leaded, molded epoxy case with matte tin-plated leads. Bi-directional polarity - no cathode marking.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (symmetrical) | Bi-directional transient clamp node | Either lead serves as input/output; no polarity dependency - simplifies PCB layout and orientation |
| Lead 1 / Lead 2 | Current path for surge conduction | Low-inductance axial path handles 1.9 A peak pulse; leads meet J-STD-002 solderability and JESD 22-B102 thermal shock specs |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Glass passivated chip junction | Enables stable VBR over lifetime and improved humidity resistance vs. non-passivated alternatives |
| 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Supports IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 (1 kV/2 Ω) surge immunity without external series impedance |
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive Grade 2 (-40 °C to +105 °C ambient) and extended temperature operation up to TJ = 175 °C |
| UL 94 V-0 molding compound | Prevents flame propagation in enclosed enclosures - required for automotive cabin and industrial control cabinets |
| Matte tin plating (JESD 22-B102) | Ensures robust solder wetting and intermetallic formation across reflow profiles including lead-free SAC305 |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module (BCM) | Industrial CAN Bus Node Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting LIN and CAN signal lines in door modules and seat controllers from load dump and ESD. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bi-directional voltage clamp placed across differential bus pair or between signal line and chassis ground. Use Value: Limits transients to ≤196 V, preventing damage to transceivers like TCAN1042 while maintaining signal integrity during 10/1000 μs surges. | Use Scenario: Safeguarding RS-485/CAN physical layer ICs in programmable logic controllers (PLCs) exposed to motor drive noise. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary surge suppression element mounted at connector entry point, shunting induced spikes before reaching PHY IC. Use Value: Withstands 500 W pulses and operates up to 175 °C junction temperature - suitable for sealed, fanless PLC enclosures. |
| Consumer Appliance Motor Drive Board | Telecom Power Supply Input Stage |
Use Scenario: Clamping inductive kickback from brushed DC motors in washing machine control boards. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Parallel-connected TVS across motor terminals or H-bridge outputs to absorb flyback energy. Use Value: 160 V VWM matches 120–130 VAC rectified rail; 196 V VC ensures MOSFETs like STP16NF06L remain within safe SOA during commutation. | Use Scenario: Secondary-side transient protection on 48 V telecom DC-DC converter outputs feeding sensitive baseband processors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Final-stage clamp before LDO regulators, suppressing coupling from upstream switching noise or hot-swap events. Use Value: Bi-directional symmetry avoids polarity errors during board assembly; HE3 suffix guarantees whisker-resistant terminations for high-reliability telecom infrastructure. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ160A-E3/5A | Uni-directional; 160 V VWM; same DO-214AC package; lower IPPM (1.9 A vs. 1.9 A), identical VC (196 V) | Requires correct polarity placement; unsuitable for AC-coupled or floating-bus applications | Select only if circuit topology enforces unidirectional bias and space constraints favor SMA package |
| 1.5KE160CA | Same bi-directional function; higher PPPM (1500 W); larger DO-201AE package; VWM = 160 V, VC = 259 V at 5.8 A | Higher clamping voltage reduces protection margin for low-voltage ICs; suited for primary-side AC input protection | Choose when surge energy exceeds 500 W and board space allows larger case; not drop-in due to footprint mismatch |
Compared with SMAJ160A-E3/5A and 1.5KE160CA, SA160CHE3/73 provides AEC-Q101 qualification, DO-15 footprint compatibility with legacy through-hole designs, and optimized clamping for secondary-side 160 V rails - making it preferred for automotive and space-constrained industrial PCBs where bi-directional symmetry and reliability certification are mandatory.
Availability
SA160CHE3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial PLC I/O modules, and telecom power supply protection requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for SA160CHE3/73 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, rectifiers, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability and automotive-grade validation.
The SAxxxC series is engineered for robust transient suppression in harsh environments, targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where AEC-Q101 compliance and precise clamping performance are critical.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SA160CHE3/73 under standard surge conditions?
The SA160CHE3/73 exhibits a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 196 V when subjected to a 10/1000 μs waveform at its rated peak pulse current of 1.9 A. This value is measured per Figure 7 in the official Vishay datasheet (Document Number: 88378), ensuring predictable overvoltage limiting for downstream components such as CAN transceivers or microcontrollers.
Is SA160CHE3/73 suitable for automotive applications?
Yes, SA160CHE3/73 is AEC-Q101 qualified and carries the HE3 suffix indicating compliance with JESD 201 Class 2 whisker testing. Its 175 °C maximum junction temperature, glass-passivated junction, and UL 94 V-0 molding make it appropriate for under-hood and cabin-mounted automotive ECUs, including body control modules and sensor interfaces.
Does SA160CHE3/73 have polarity markings?
No, SA160CHE3/73 is a bi-directional TVS diode and carries no polarity marking on the DO-204AC package. The device functions identically regardless of terminal orientation, eliminating risk of incorrect installation during manual or automated assembly - a key advantage over uni-directional variants like SA160A-E3/73.
What is the difference between the 'E3' and 'HE3' suffixes in SA160CHE3/73?
The 'HE3' suffix in SA160CHE3/73 denotes AEC-Q101 qualification and JESD 201 Class 2 whisker resistance, whereas 'E3' indicates RoHS compliance only (commercial grade). Both share the same electrical specs and DO-204AC package, but SA160CHE3/73 is certified for automotive use, while SA160CE3/73 is intended for industrial or consumer applications.
Can SA160CHE3/73 be used in place of SA160A-E3/73?
No - SA160CHE3/73 is bi-directional, while SA160A-E3/73 is uni-directional. Substituting them requires verifying circuit topology: SA160CHE3/73 may be used where polarity is undefined or AC-coupled, but SA160A-E3/73 must be oriented correctly with cathode toward the protected side. Their VWM, VBR, and VC values differ slightly due to directional design constraints.
SA160CHE3/73 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Box (TB)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- 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):
- 1.7A
- 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)
SA160CHE3/73 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SA160CHE3/73 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SA160CHE3/73 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 SA160CHE3/73 reliable?
The price and inventory of SA160CHE3/73 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SA160CHE3/73 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SA160CHE3/73?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SA160CHE3/73 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SA160CHE3/73?
SA160CHE3/73 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SA160CHE3/73 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 SA160CHE3/73?
For technical support, including SA160CHE3/73 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SA160CHE3/73 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SA160CHE3/73 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SA160CHE3/73 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 SA160CHE3/73 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SA160CHE3/73?
All SA160CHE3/73 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SA160CHE3/73, 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 SA160CHE3/73 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SA160CHE3/73:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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