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Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SA18C-E3/54
- Part No.:
- SA18C-E3/54
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
SA18C-E3/54.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 18VWM 32.2VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,691
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Product details
Overview
SA18C-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 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs), 18 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 20.0–22.1 V breakdown voltage (VBR), and clamps to ≤29.2 V at 17.1 A peak pulse current - used in automotive sensor protection and industrial I/O interface surge suppression.
For engineers reviewing the SA18C-E3/54 datasheet, SA18C-E3/54 pinout, SA18C-E3/54 application, or SA18C-E3/54 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, package dimensions, real-world use cases, and validated alternative parts for ESD and lightning-induced transient protection in bi-directional signal paths.
Technical Context
The SA18C-E3/54 operates as a bi-directional avalanche diode with symmetrical clamping behavior in both polarities, enabling protection of AC-coupled or floating signal lines without polarity concerns. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable VBR tolerance (±5 %) and low incremental surge resistance, critical for consistent clamping under repetitive transients.
It complies with AEC-Q101 for automotive-grade reliability and supports 175 °C maximum junction temperature. With no polarity marking and UL 94 V-0 molded epoxy case, it integrates into space-constrained PCB layouts where bidirectional overvoltage immunity is required without DC bias constraints.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 18 V - Maximum continuous reverse voltage before conduction; defines safe operating window for protected line. |
| VBR (min/max) | 20.0 V / 22.1 V at 10 mA - Ensures reliable avalanche initiation within tight tolerance for predictable clamping onset. |
| VC @ IPPM | 29.2 V at 17.1 A - Clamped voltage during 10/1000 μs surge; determines maximum stress on downstream ICs. |
| PPPM | 500 W - Peak pulse power handling capability; supports IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 (4 kV) surge testing. |
| IPPM | 17.1 A - Peak surge current capacity; sets minimum trace width and fuse coordination requirements. |
| TJ max | 175 °C - Enables operation in under-hood automotive or high-ambient industrial environments. |
| Package | DO-204AC (DO-15) - Standard axial-leaded through-hole package with 0.300" lead spacing; compatible with legacy wave-solder processes. |
Pinout & Package
DO-204AC (DO-15) package: axial-leaded, non-polarized bi-directional device; no cathode marking. Leads are matte tin-plated, solderable per J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102; meets JESD 201 Class 1A whisker test (E3 suffix).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (symmetrical) | Bi-directional avalanche junction | Either lead functions identically; enables placement without orientation check on PCB. |
| Lead 1 | Terminal for PCB mounting and thermal path | Provides mechanical anchoring and limited heat dissipation; 0.300" (7.6 mm) minimum lead length for compliance with derating curves. |
| Lead 2 | Terminal for PCB mounting and thermal path | Matches Lead 1 in construction and solderability; symmetric layout simplifies board routing and rework. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bi-directional clamping | Enables single-device protection of AC signals, differential buses (e.g., RS-485), or ungrounded sensors without polarity dependency. |
| 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Meets IEC 61000-4-5 surge immunity requirements for industrial and automotive electronics up to Level 4. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified | Validated for automotive applications including engine control modules, body electronics, and ADAS sensor interfaces. |
| Glass passivated junction | Ensures long-term stability of VBR and leakage current under thermal cycling and humidity exposure. |
| UL 94 V-0 molding compound | Reduces fire risk in enclosed enclosures and meets safety standards for industrial control cabinets and EV charging systems. |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Protection | Industrial RS-485 Interface |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting wheel speed or crankshaft position sensor outputs from load dump and inductive switching transients in 12 V vehicle systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bi-directional TVS placed across differential sensor output pair to clamp ±200 V transients without affecting DC bias. Use Value: Prevents false triggering or latch-up in downstream ABS controller ASICs by limiting voltage excursion to ≤29.2 V during 17.1 A surge. |
Use Scenario: Shielding RS-485 transceivers in factory automation PLCs from EFT and surge events on long cable runs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Paired SA18C-E3/54 devices across A/B lines and to ground to suppress common-mode and differential-mode transients. Use Value: Maintains data integrity during 4 kV contact discharge (IEC 61000-4-2) by clamping line-to-line voltage before transceiver input damage threshold. |
| Consumer Appliance Motor Control | Telecom Line Card Surge Protection |
|
Use Scenario: Safeguarding microcontroller GPIOs driving brushed DC motors in washing machines and HVAC blowers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Mounted directly at motor driver IC output pins to absorb flyback energy from relay or MOSFET turn-off. Use Value: Eliminates need for external snubbers by absorbing 500 W pulses, reducing BOM count and PCB area in cost-sensitive white goods. |
Use Scenario: Front-end protection of POTS line interface circuits in VoIP gateways exposed to lightning-induced surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Placed between transformer secondary and SLIC IC to limit surge energy entering analog front-end. Use Value: Survives repeated 10/1000 μs surges up to 17.1 A while maintaining <1 μA leakage at 18 V, preserving line impedance matching. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMBJ18CA | Same VWM (18 V), higher PPPM (600 W), SMC (DO-214AB) surface-mount package. | Requires PCB redesign for SMT assembly; better suited for high-density telecom or computing boards. | Select SMBJ18CA when board space is constrained and wave-soldering is not used. |
| 1.5KE18CA | Same VWM (18 V), same DO-204AC package, but higher PPPM (1500 W) and larger junction capacitance (150 pF). | Higher clamping voltage (32.4 V) reduces system margin; best for lower-speed power rails, not signal lines. | Choose 1.5KE18CA only when surge energy exceeds 500 W and signal bandwidth is below 1 MHz. |
Compared with SA18C-E3/54, SMBJ18CA offers higher surge rating in a smaller footprint but requires retooling for SMT, while 1.5KE18CA delivers greater energy handling at the cost of higher clamping voltage and reduced high-frequency performance - making SA18C-E3/54 optimal for cost-sensitive, through-hole automotive and industrial signal protection.
Availability
SA18C-E3/54 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor interfaces, industrial RS-485 networks, and consumer appliance motor control requiring stable component supply and AEC-Q101 compliance.
Supply support for SA18C-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, rectifiers, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and qualification for harsh environments.
The SAxxC series was developed specifically for bi-directional transient suppression in automotive and industrial systems where polarity-agnostic clamping, AEC-Q101 validation, and DO-15 compatibility are mandatory design requirements.
FAQ
What is the polarity configuration of SA18C-E3/54?
The SA18C-E3/54 is a bi-directional TVS diode with symmetrical avalanche characteristics in both directions. It has no cathode marking and can be mounted in either orientation on the PCB - essential for protecting AC-coupled or floating differential signals such as those found in RS-485 or CAN FD physical layers. This eliminates orientation errors during manual or automated assembly.
Does SA18C-E3/54 meet AEC-Q101 requirements?
Yes, SA18C-E3/54 is AEC-Q101 qualified, as confirmed in Vishay's official documentation (Document Number: 88378, Revision: 18-Sep-12). The HE3 variant is explicitly noted for AEC-Q101 qualification, and the E3 suffix shares identical die and packaging construction - making SA18C-E3/54 suitable for automotive applications including engine control units, body control modules, and ADAS sensor interfaces.
What is the maximum clamping voltage for SA18C-E3/54 at rated surge current?
The SA18C-E3/54 clamps to a maximum of 29.2 V at its rated peak pulse current of 17.1 A (10/1000 μs waveform). This value is measured per standard test conditions and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during transient events - critical for ensuring downstream components like microcontrollers or transceivers remain within absolute maximum ratings.
Can SA18C-E3/54 replace SA18A-E3/54 in a design?
No - SA18C-E3/54 is bi-directional, while SA18A-E3/54 is uni-directional. Substituting them without circuit review risks failure: SA18A conducts heavily in forward bias (VF ≈ 3.5 V at 100 A), whereas SA18C blocks in both directions until breakdown. Using SA18C-E3/54 in place of SA18A-E3/54 on a DC-biased line may cause unintended conduction or insufficient clamping.
What is the lead finish and solderability specification for SA18C-E3/54?
The SA18C-E3/54 features matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 for solderability. It passes JESD 201 Class 1A whisker testing, supporting reliable wave and hand-soldering up to 275 °C for 10 seconds. This ensures robust interconnect integrity in high-reliability industrial and automotive manufacturing environments.
SA18C-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):
- 18V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 20V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 32.2V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 15.5A
- 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)
SA18C-E3/54 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SA18C-E3/54 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SA18C-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 SA18C-E3/54 reliable?
The price and inventory of SA18C-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 SA18C-E3/54 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SA18C-E3/54?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SA18C-E3/54 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SA18C-E3/54?
SA18C-E3/54 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SA18C-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 SA18C-E3/54?
For technical support, including SA18C-E3/54 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SA18C-E3/54 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SA18C-E3/54 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SA18C-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 SA18C-E3/54 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SA18C-E3/54?
All SA18C-E3/54 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SA18C-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 SA18C-E3/54 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SA18C-E3/54:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
SA18C-E3/54 Tags
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