Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SA20-E3/54
- Part No.:
- SA20-E3/54
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
SA20-E3/54.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 20VWM 35.8VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,042
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Product details
Overview
SA20-E3/54 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a uni-directional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-204AC (DO-15) package, designed for clamping inductive switching transients and ESD events on power rails and signal lines. It features 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs), 20 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 22.2–24.5 V breakdown voltage (VBR at 1 mA), 15.4 A peak pulse current (IPPM), and clamps to ≤32.4 V at IPPM. It is widely used in automotive body control modules and industrial sensor interface protection.
For engineers reviewing the SA20-E3/54 datasheet, SA20-E3/54 pinout, SA20-E3/54 application, or SA20-E3/54 equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, AEC-Q101 qualification status, thermal derating behavior, clamping performance under standardized surge waveforms, and direct alternatives with documented VWM/VBR/IPPM alignment.
Technical Context
The SA20-E3/54 operates as a uni-directional avalanche diode, conducting only when reverse voltage exceeds its specified VBR range (22.2–24.5 V), with fast response time (<1 ns) and low incremental clamping resistance. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown characteristics across temperature and lifetime.
It is rated for 70 A non-repetitive forward surge current (IFSM, 10 ms half-sine), 3.0 W steady-state power dissipation at TL = 75 °C, and operates from –55 °C to +175 °C junction temperature. The device meets JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance and is RoHS-compliant per JESD 22-B106 solderability standards.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 20 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins; defines safe DC/AC rail margin. |
| VBR @ IT = 1 mA | 22.2–24.5 V - Measured breakdown threshold; ensures reliable turn-on above system nominal voltage. |
| IPPM (10/1000 μs) | 15.4 A - Peak transient current it safely shunts without failure; determines minimum series impedance required. |
| VC @ IPPM | ≤32.4 V - Clamped voltage during full-rated surge; defines maximum stress imposed on protected ICs. |
| PPPM | 500 W - Peak pulse power handling capability; validates suitability for ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/5a and IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 surges. |
| TJ max. | +175 °C - Maximum junction temperature; enables use in under-hood automotive environments without derating. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified | Yes - Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD testing per AEC standard. |
Pinout & Package
Package: DO-204AC (DO-15), axial-leaded, molded epoxy case meeting UL 94 V-0. Matte tin-plated leads, solderable per J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102. Cathode indicated by color band.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Forward conduction terminal | Connected to lower-potential side (e.g., ground or return path); conducts during forward surge or bias conditions. |
| Cathode | Reverse-biased clamping terminal | Connected to protected line (e.g., 24 V supply); avalanches into conduction when VAK > VBR, diverting surge current to ground. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Glass passivated chip junction | Ensures stable, repeatable VBR over temperature and life; eliminates surface leakage paths in humid environments. |
| 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Supports robust protection against automotive load-dump and inductive kickback without thermal runaway. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified | Validated for automotive electronics use, including engine control units, lighting drivers, and ADAS sensor interfaces. |
| Low clamping ratio (VC/VBR ≈ 1.38) | Minimizes overvoltage stress on downstream MOSFETs or microcontrollers during transient events. |
| RoHS-compliant, E3 suffix | Meets JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance and lead-free reflow compatibility up to 275 °C for 10 s. |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module (BCM) | Industrial PLC Digital Input Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protects 24 V CAN/LIN bus power rails and microcontroller I/O from load dump and relay coil flyback. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Uni-directional TVS placed between 24 V supply and chassis ground to clamp transients before they reach LDOs or MCU VCC. Use Value: Limits clamped voltage to ≤32.4 V, ensuring protected 3.3 V/5 V logic remains within absolute maximum ratings during 100 V/500 W surges. |
Use Scenario: Shields 24 V digital input channels of programmable logic controllers from field-wiring induced surges and ESD. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Front-end transient suppressor on optocoupler input side, absorbing energy before signal conditioning circuitry. Use Value: Withstands repetitive 15.4 A pulses at 0.01% duty cycle, enabling long-term reliability in factory automation environments. |
| Consumer Appliance Motor Driver | Telecom Power Supply Input Stage |
Use Scenario: Guards H-bridge gate driver supplies in washing machine motor control boards against inductive switching spikes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Parallel-connected TVS on 12 V gate drive rail, triggered within <1 ns to prevent MOSFET avalanche failure. Use Value: 22.2–24.5 V VBR aligns with 12 V system tolerances while providing 12.4 V headroom above nominal rail. |
Use Scenario: Protects AC-DC adapter primary-side rectifier output and secondary-side 48 V PoE distribution nodes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary-side clamping device on 48 V telecom power bus, suppressing lightning-induced surges per IEC 61000-4-5. Use Value: 500 W rating satisfies Level 3 (2 kV/12 Ω) surge immunity requirements with margin for aging and temperature drift. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ20A-E3/52 (Vishay) | Same VWM (20 V), identical DO-214AC (SMA) package; 400 W PPPM, slightly higher VC (34.0 V). | Lower power rating suits space-constrained PCBs where 500 W margin is unnecessary; SMA footprint differs from DO-15. | Select SMAJ20A-E3/52 when board layout uses surface-mount and system surge level is ≤400 W. |
| 1.5SMC20A (ON Semiconductor) | Same VWM/VBR specs, DO-214AB (SMC) package; 1500 W PPPM, larger case, higher IPPM (65.2 A). | Higher surge capacity supports harsher environments (e.g., railway or heavy industrial); requires larger pad layout. | Choose 1.5SMC20A when legacy designs demand higher surge margin and SMC footprint is available. |
Compared with SA20-E3/54, SMAJ20A-E3/52 offers smaller size but reduced surge handling, while 1.5SMC20A provides greater robustness at the cost of board area-making SA20-E3/54 the optimal balance of axial-leaded reliability, AEC-Q101 compliance, and 500 W capability in DO-15 form factor.
Availability
SA20-E3/54 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial PLC input stages, consumer appliance motor drives, and telecom power supply protection requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.
Supply support for SA20-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, MOSFETs, and passive components with emphasis on high-reliability, automotive-qualified, and industry-standard solutions.
The SAxxA series is part of Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS family, engineered specifically for robust, cost-effective transient suppression in automotive, industrial, and telecom infrastructure applications where unidirectional clamping and AEC-Q101 validation are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the maximum clamping voltage of SA20-E3/54 at its rated peak pulse current?
The SA20-E3/54 clamps to a maximum of 32.4 V when subjected to its rated 15.4 A peak pulse current (10/1000 μs waveform). This value is measured under standardized test conditions and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events. The clamping voltage remains consistent across the full operating temperature range (–55 °C to +175 °C) as validated in Vishay's characterization data for SA20-E3/54.
Is SA20-E3/54 qualified for automotive applications?
Yes, SA20-E3/54 is AEC-Q101 qualified, having passed stress tests including high-temperature reverse bias (HTRB), temperature cycling, and ESD per the AEC-Q101 standard. This qualification confirms its suitability for automotive powertrain, body electronics, and infotainment systems where reliability under extended temperature and vibration profiles is required. The SA20-E3/54 datasheet explicitly lists AEC-Q101 compliance in its mechanical and ordering information sections.
What does the "E3/54" suffix mean in SA20-E3/54?
The "E3" suffix indicates RoHS-compliant construction with matte tin-plated leads meeting JESD 201 Class 1A whisker resistance, while "/54" denotes the preferred package code for 13-inch paper tape and reel packaging with a base quantity of 4000 units. This ordering format is standardized across Vishay's DO-204AC product line and ensures consistent assembly-line feed and traceability for SA20-E3/54 in high-volume manufacturing.
Can SA20-E3/54 be used in bi-directional protection circuits?
No, SA20-E3/54 is a uni-directional TVS diode and must not be used for bi-directional transient suppression. Its cathode band marks polarity, and it conducts only in reverse breakdown-forward conduction is limited to 3.5 V at 100 A. For bi-directional applications, Vishay specifies CA-suffix parts such as SA20CA; using SA20-E3/54 in place of a bi-directional device would leave positive-going transients unprotected and risk catastrophic failure.
What is the thermal derating behavior of SA20-E3/54 above 25 °C ambient?
SA20-E3/54 follows Vishay's standard derating curve: its 3.0 W steady-state power dissipation is linearly reduced above 25 °C ambient, reaching zero at 175 °C junction temperature. At 75 °C lead temperature (TL), it maintains full 3.0 W rating; beyond that, power must be scaled per Figure 5 in the SA5.0A–SA170CA datasheet. This behavior directly impacts sustained surge repetition rate and must be modeled alongside PCB copper area and airflow for SA20-E3/54 in thermally constrained layouts.
SA20-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:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 20V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 22.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 35.8V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 14A
- 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)
SA20-E3/54 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SA20-E3/54 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SA20-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 SA20-E3/54 reliable?
The price and inventory of SA20-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 SA20-E3/54 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SA20-E3/54?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SA20-E3/54 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SA20-E3/54?
SA20-E3/54 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SA20-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 SA20-E3/54?
For technical support, including SA20-E3/54 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SA20-E3/54 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SA20-E3/54 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SA20-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 SA20-E3/54 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SA20-E3/54?
All SA20-E3/54 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SA20-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 SA20-E3/54 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SA20-E3/54:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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