Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation SA20A
- Part No.:
- SA20A
- Manufacturer:
- Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
SA20A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 20VWM 43VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:9,340
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Product details
Overview
SA20A from Taiwan Semiconductor is a unidirectional 500W transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-204AC (DO-15) package, with 20V working stand-off voltage (VWM), 22.2–24.5V breakdown voltage (VBR @ 1mA), and 43.0V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 16.0A peak pulse current. It protects automotive and industrial power rails against ESD, EFT, and inductive switching transients.
For engineers reviewing the SA20A datasheet, SA20A pinout, SA20A application, or SA20A equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping performance under 10/1000μs surge, unidirectional polarity marking, AEC-Q101 qualification status, thermal derating above 25°C, and compatibility with lead-free reflow profiles per J-STD-002.
Technical Context
The SA20A operates as a silicon avalanche diode optimized for fast transient suppression in DC power lines. Its unidirectional configuration provides low-leakage reverse blocking up to 20V and sub-nanosecond response to overvoltage events, with clamping initiated within 1.0ps from 0V to VBR.
It delivers 500W peak pulse power (10/1000μs waveform) at 25°C, derated linearly above ambient temperature per Fig.2, and supports steady-state dissipation of 3W when mounted on 10×10 mm copper pads. Junction temperature range spans −55°C to +175°C.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 20 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before conduction begins; defines safe DC rail margin. |
| VBR min/max | 22.2 V / 24.5 V @ 1 mA - Confirmed breakdown threshold range; ensures reliable triggering across process variation. |
| VC @ IPPM | 43.0 V @ 16.0 A - Clamped voltage during full-rated 10/1000μs surge; determines protected circuit's maximum stress level. |
| PPK | 500 W - Peak pulse power handling capability; validates robustness against ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2/5a/b surges. |
| IR @ VWM | <1 μA - Reverse leakage at rated stand-off voltage; minimizes standby power loss in battery-critical systems. |
| TJ max | +175 °C - Maximum junction temperature; enables operation in under-hood automotive environments. |
| Package | DO-204AC (DO-15) - Industry-standard axial leaded package with tin-plated leads, UL 94V-0 molding compound. |
Pinout & Package
DO-204AC (DO-15) package: axial-leaded, epoxy-molded, cathode band marked on one end for unidirectional polarity identification. Leads are pure tin-plated and solderable per J-STD-002. Weight ≈ 0.400 g.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Low-side reference terminal | Connected to ground or low-potential node; completes conduction path during transient clamp. |
| Cathode | High-side surge input terminal | Connected to protected line (e.g., 24V rail); receives transient energy and initiates avalanche breakdown. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualified option available | SA20AH variant meets automotive reliability standard for temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD; required for engine control and ADAS power protection. |
| Fast response time | Typically <1.0 ps from 0 V to VBR - Enables suppression before sensitive ICs experience overstress in nanosecond-scale ESD events. |
| Low clamping ratio | VC/VBR ≈ 1.75 - Tight ratio between clamping and breakdown voltages improves margin for downstream 24V logic interfaces. |
| Halogen-free & RoHS compliant | Meets IEC 61249-2-21 and EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU - Supports green manufacturing and export compliance without performance trade-off. |
| High surge current rating | IPPM = 16.0 A (10/1000μs) - Sustains repeated load dump pulses in 24V vehicle systems per ISO 16750-2. |
Applications
| Automotive Power Rail Protection | Industrial PLC I/O Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: 24V supply line in engine control unit exposed to ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a (load dump) and Pulse 1 (inductive switch-off). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed between battery rail and DC-DC input to clamp transients before regulator stage. Use Value: Limits peak voltage to ≤43.0 V during 16 A surge, preventing damage to 36 V-rated buck converter ICs and maintaining system uptime. |
Use Scenario: Digital input channel of programmable logic controller receiving 24V sensor signals in factory automation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Front-end transient suppressor on field-side signal line to absorb EFT bursts (IEC 61000-4-4) and contact bounce spikes. Use Value: Sub-1 ns response prevents false triggering of optocouplers or Schmitt triggers, preserving signal integrity during 5 kHz burst noise. |
| LED Driver Overvoltage Clamp | Telecom Power Interface Protection |
Use Scenario: Constant-current LED driver board powered from 24V DC supply in outdoor signage subject to lightning-induced surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary surge shunt on input capacitor rail to divert energy away from MOSFET gate drivers and current-sense amplifiers. Use Value: 500W peak power rating absorbs multi-pulse surges without thermal runaway, extending driver lifetime in harsh environments. |
Use Scenario: 48V DC power feed to remote radio head in 4G/5G base station infrastructure. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary-level TVS on DC input after primary MOV, providing precise clamping where MOV tolerance exceeds IC withstand limits. Use Value: 20V VWM allows clean operation under nominal 48V ±10% range while clamping to 43V-well below 60V absolute max rating of downstream PMICs. |
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 SMAJ20A | Same DO-214AC package, identical VWM (20V), but higher VC (45.4V @ 13.9A) and lower PPK (400W). | Lower surge rating reduces margin in high-energy load-dump scenarios; suitable only where peak current ≤13.9A is guaranteed. | Prefer SA20A when 500W/16A capability is required; SMAJ20A may be selected for cost-sensitive, lower-stress telecom ports. |
| ON Semiconductor 1.5SMC20A | DO-214AB package (larger than DO-15), same VWM (20V), slightly higher VC (47.0V @ 10.7A), PPK = 1500W but derated to 500W at 10/1000μs per datasheet footnote. | DO-214AB footprint requires PCB redesign; higher thermal mass improves sustained pulse handling but increases layout area. | Choose SA20A for space-constrained axial designs; select 1.5SMC20A only if board real estate permits larger SMC package and higher single-pulse margin is needed. |
Compared with SMAJ20A and 1.5SMC20A, the SA20A uniquely combines DO-204AC axial form factor, 500W 10/1000μs rating, and 43.0V clamping in a single-source AEC-Q101-capable offering-enabling drop-in replacement in legacy DO-15 layouts without sacrificing surge margin or thermal performance.
Availability
SA20A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive electronics, industrial PLCs, LED lighting systems, and telecom power interfaces requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for SA20A 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 specializing in discrete power devices, TVS diodes, rectifiers, and MOSFETs for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.
The SA Series was designed specifically for high-reliability transient suppression in 12V/24V/48V DC systems, emphasizing low clamping voltage, AEC-Q101 qualification, and robust surge endurance in compact axial packages.
FAQ
What is the polarity configuration of the SA20A?
The SA20A is a unidirectional TVS diode, with cathode marked by a band on the DO-204AC (DO-15) package body. It conducts only during positive transients on the cathode relative to anode, making it suitable for DC rail protection where reverse voltage is not expected. This differs from bidirectional variants like SA20CA, which suppress both polarities.
Does the SA20A meet AEC-Q101 qualification?
The base SA20A part is not AEC-Q101 qualified; however, the SA20AH variant-identical in electrical specs and DO-204AC packaging-is explicitly qualified per AEC-Q101 Rev D for automotive use. Customers requiring automotive-grade reliability must specify SA20AH, not SA20A, to ensure compliance with stress tests including HTGB, H3TRB, and ESD-HBM.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the SA20A under surge conditions?
The SA20A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 43.0 V at 16.0 A peak pulse current (IPPM), measured using the standard 10/1000 μs double-exponential waveform. This value is guaranteed across the full operating temperature range and defines the highest voltage seen by downstream components during worst-case transient events.
How does the SA20A compare to the SA20 part in terms of breakdown voltage?
The SA20A has a tighter VBR range of 22.2–24.5 V (min/max @ 1 mA), whereas the SA20 exhibits a wider range of 22.2–27.1 V. The "A" suffix denotes improved parameter distribution control, resulting in more consistent clamping behavior and reduced design margin uncertainty-especially critical in safety-critical 24V systems where over-clamp could disrupt communication busses.
Can the SA20A be used in bidirectional configurations?
No-the SA20A is strictly unidirectional and lacks symmetrical breakdown characteristics. For bidirectional protection, Taiwan Semiconductor offers the SA20CA variant (DO-204AC package, same VWM), which provides matched VBR in both directions and is intended for AC-coupled or floating signal line protection. Using SA20A in reverse-biased mode risks permanent damage due to lack of reverse avalanche rating.
SA20A 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:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 20V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 22.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 43V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 16A
- 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)
SA20A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SA20A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SA20A 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 SA20A reliable?
The price and inventory of SA20A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SA20A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SA20A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SA20A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SA20A?
SA20A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SA20A 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 SA20A?
For technical support, including SA20A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SA20A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SA20A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SA20A 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 SA20A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SA20A?
All SA20A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SA20A, 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 SA20A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SA20A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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