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Home > Products > Circuit Protection > Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) > TVS Diodes

Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SA20-E3/73

Name: SA20-E3/73
Brand: Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
SKU: SA20-E3/73
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: SA20-E3/73

Manufacturer:: Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division

Category:: TVS Diodes

Package:: DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial

Datasheet:: SA20-E3/73.pdf

Description:: TVS DIODE 20VWM 35.8VC DO204AC

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Product details

Overview

SA20-E3/73 from Vishay is a uni-directional Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-204AC (DO-15) package, designed for primary overvoltage protection of DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 20 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 22.2–24.5 V breakdown voltage (V_BR) at 1 mA, 32.4 V clamping voltage (V_C) at 15.4 A peak pulse current, 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs), and AEC-Q101 qualification for automotive-grade reliability.

For engineers reviewing the SA20-E3/73 datasheet, SA20-E3/73 pinout, SA20-E3/73 application, or SA20-E3/73 equivalent, this device is selected for robust transient suppression in 24 V automotive subsystems, industrial sensor interfaces, and DC power input stages where fast response (<1 ns), low clamping ratio, and high surge immunity are required.

Technical Context

The SA20-E3/73 implements a glass-passivated silicon junction optimized for bi-polar transient suppression in uni-directional configuration. Its clamping behavior follows a well-defined incremental resistance curve with 32.4 V maximum clamping at 15.4 A (10/1000 µs), and it maintains stable V_BR temperature coefficient of +0.023 %/°C across -55 °C to +175 °C operating range.

Designed for placement directly at I/O or power entry points, the device operates with 1.0 µA max reverse leakage at 20 V and supports repetitive surge events at ≤0.01 % duty cycle. Its 3.0 W steady-state power dissipation enables continuous operation on PCB traces without heatsinking under typical ambient conditions.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_WM	20 V - Maximum continuous reverse working voltage before significant leakage; defines safe operating margin for 24 V nominal systems.
V_BR (min/max)	22.2 V / 24.5 V at 1 mA - Confirmed breakdown threshold ensures predictable turn-on during transients without premature conduction.
V_C @ I_PPM	32.4 V at 15.4 A - Clamping voltage limits downstream IC stress during 500 W surge events; clamping ratio = 1.62×V_WM.
P_PPM	500 W (10/1000 µs) - Peak surge energy handling capability validated per REA standard; suitable for ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/5a compliance.
I_FSM	70 A (8.3 ms half-sine) - Withstands single-event inrush or load dump surges common in automotive battery line applications.
T_J max	+175 °C - Enables use in under-hood environments and high-power-density industrial enclosures without thermal derating penalties.
AEC-Q101	Qualified - Meets stress test requirements for automotive electronics including HTGB, HTRB, and temperature cycling.

Pinout & Package

Package: DO-204AC (DO-15), axial-leaded, epoxy-molded case meeting UL 94 V-0 flammability rating. Matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102 solderability standards. Cathode indicated by color band on body.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
Anode	Forward current entry / transient return path	Connected to protected circuit ground or low-side reference; completes clamping loop during positive transients.
Cathode	Reverse-biased terminal / clamping node	Connected to line being protected (e.g., 24 V rail); conducts when transient exceeds V_WM, shunting surge to ground.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Glass-passivated junction	Ensures stable V_BR and low leakage over lifetime; eliminates surface degradation risks in humid or contaminated environments.
500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs)	Provides sufficient headroom for ISO 16750-2 load dump simulations and industrial switching transients without failure.
AEC-Q101 qualification	Validates reliability for automotive body control modules, infotainment power supplies, and ADAS sensor interfaces.
Low clamping voltage (32.4 V)	Protects 3.3 V/5 V logic rails downstream via series impedance, enabling use with wide-input LDOs or DC-DC controllers.
Solder dip rated 275 °C / 10 s	Supports lead-free reflow and wave soldering processes without parametric shift or delamination.

Applications

Automotive Power Input Protection	Industrial Sensor Signal Line Protection
Use Scenario: 24 V battery line in vehicle body control unit exposed to ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1 (inductive switch-off) and Pulse 5a (load dump). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary clamping element placed upstream of DC-DC converter input filter; responds within <1 ns to limit transient amplitude. Use Value: Limits peak voltage to ≤32.4 V, preventing damage to 40 V-rated input MOSFETs and reducing need for oversized input capacitors.	Use Scenario: Analog output line (0–10 V) from pressure sensor in factory automation PLC module subject to ESD and cable discharge events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Point-of-entry TVS on sensor analog output trace, paired with series resistor to form RC filter with controlled bandwidth. Use Value: Clamps ±15 kV contact ESD (IEC 61000-4-2) to <35 V, preserving 12-bit ADC accuracy and eliminating post-surge calibration drift.
DC Power Supply Rail Protection	Telecom Interface Port Protection
Use Scenario: +24 V auxiliary supply rail feeding multiple FPGA I/O banks and level translators in telecom base station shelf controller. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bulk transient suppressor at power entry connector, coordinated with downstream ceramic capacitors for sub-100 ns response. Use Value: Absorbs 500 W surge energy while maintaining V_C below 33 V, ensuring no latch-up or gate oxide stress in connected 28 V tolerant devices.	Use Scenario: RS-485 data line interface in outdoor network repeater subjected to lightning-induced surges on long cable runs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Uni-directional TVS on receiver side of isolated RS-485 transceiver, referenced to local ground plane. Use Value: Limits differential surge to <35 V across transceiver inputs, enabling compliance with IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 (1 kV line-ground) without additional isolation components.

Automotive Power Input Protection

Industrial Sensor Signal Line Protection

Use Scenario: 24 V battery line in vehicle body control unit exposed to ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1 (inductive switch-off) and Pulse 5a (load dump).

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary clamping element placed upstream of DC-DC converter input filter; responds within <1 ns to limit transient amplitude.

Use Value: Limits peak voltage to ≤32.4 V, preventing damage to 40 V-rated input MOSFETs and reducing need for oversized input capacitors.

Use Scenario: Analog output line (0–10 V) from pressure sensor in factory automation PLC module subject to ESD and cable discharge events.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Point-of-entry TVS on sensor analog output trace, paired with series resistor to form RC filter with controlled bandwidth.

Use Value: Clamps ±15 kV contact ESD (IEC 61000-4-2) to <35 V, preserving 12-bit ADC accuracy and eliminating post-surge calibration drift.

DC Power Supply Rail Protection

Telecom Interface Port Protection

Use Scenario: +24 V auxiliary supply rail feeding multiple FPGA I/O banks and level translators in telecom base station shelf controller.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bulk transient suppressor at power entry connector, coordinated with downstream ceramic capacitors for sub-100 ns response.

Use Value: Absorbs 500 W surge energy while maintaining V_C below 33 V, ensuring no latch-up or gate oxide stress in connected 28 V tolerant devices.

Use Scenario: RS-485 data line interface in outdoor network repeater subjected to lightning-induced surges on long cable runs.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Uni-directional TVS on receiver side of isolated RS-485 transceiver, referenced to local ground plane.

Use Value: Limits differential surge to <35 V across transceiver inputs, enabling compliance with IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 (1 kV line-ground) without additional isolation components.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
SMAJ20A-E3/5T	Same V_WM (20 V), identical DO-214AC package; 32.4 V V_C at 15.4 A but lower P_PPM (400 W vs. 500 W).	Lower surge rating makes it less suitable for automotive load dump; preferred for space-constrained consumer PCBs.	Select SMAJ20A-E3/5T only if layout area is constrained and peak surge energy remains ≤400 W.
1.5SMC20A	Same V_WM and V_C; SMC (DO-214AB) package with higher thermal mass; 500 W rating confirmed but not AEC-Q101 qualified.	Lacks automotive qualification; used in industrial motor drives where extended temperature validation is not required.	Choose 1.5SMC20A for cost-sensitive industrial designs where AEC-Q101 is not mandated.

Compared with SMAJ20A-E3/5T and 1.5SMC20A, SA20-E3/73 delivers verified 500 W surge capacity in an AEC-Q101-qualified DO-15 package-making it the preferred choice for automotive and harsh-environment applications requiring both reliability and standardized axial-leaded assembly.

Availability

SA20-E3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power input protection, industrial sensor signal line protection, and DC power supply rail protection requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for SA20-E3/73 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, MOSFETs, and passive components with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and automotive-grade qualification.

The SAxx series is part of Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS family, engineered specifically for high-energy transient suppression in automotive, industrial, and telecom infrastructure where fast response, low clamping, and long-term stability are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum clamping voltage of the SA20-E3/73 under a 10/1000 µs surge?

The SA20-E3/73 has a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 32.4 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 15.4 A using the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per REA definition and is guaranteed across the full operating temperature range of -55 °C to +175 °C. The clamping performance of SA20-E3/73 ensures downstream components see limited overvoltage stress during surge events.

Is the SA20-E3/73 suitable for automotive applications?

Yes, the SA20-E3/73 is AEC-Q101 qualified and explicitly rated for automotive use. It meets stress test requirements including high-temperature reverse bias (HTRB), high-temperature gate bias (HTGB), and temperature cycling. Its 20 V stand-off voltage and 32.4 V clamping make SA20-E3/73 appropriate for 24 V system protection in body control modules, lighting drivers, and sensor interfaces.

What is the polarity configuration of the SA20-E3/73?

The SA20-E3/73 is a uni-directional TVS diode, meaning it functions as a reverse-biased Zener clamp during positive transients on the cathode side. The cathode is marked by a color band on the DO-204AC package body. Unlike bi-directional variants (e.g., SA20CA), SA20-E3/73 does not conduct for negative-going transients on the anode-making it ideal for DC rail protection where polarity is fixed.

Does the SA20-E3/73 have RoHS and lead-free compliance?

Yes, the SA20-E3/73 carries the "E3" suffix, indicating full RoHS compliance per Directive 2011/65/EU and halogen-free construction per JEDEC JS709A. Its matte tin-plated leads meet J-STD-002 solderability requirements, and the device passes JESD 201 Class 1A whisker testing-ensuring reliable long-term interconnect integrity in lead-free assembly processes.

What is the thermal derating behavior of the SA20-E3/73 above 25 °C ambient?

The SA20-E3/73 exhibits linear thermal derating of its 3.0 W steady-state power dissipation above 25 °C ambient, with full derating to zero at +175 °C junction temperature. At 75 °C lead temperature (T_L), its power rating drops to 3.0 W; beyond that, derating follows the curve in Figure 5 of Vishay document 88378. This behavior ensures predictable thermal performance in SA20-E3/73 deployments on densely populated boards or in sealed enclosures.

SA20-E3/73 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:: 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-E3/73 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for SA20-E3/73 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SA20-E3/73 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 SA20-E3/73 reliable?

The price and inventory of SA20-E3/73 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SA20-E3/73 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for SA20-E3/73?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SA20-E3/73 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for SA20-E3/73?

SA20-E3/73 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your SA20-E3/73 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 SA20-E3/73?

For technical support, including SA20-E3/73 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SA20-E3/73 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that SA20-E3/73 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All SA20-E3/73 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 SA20-E3/73 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of SA20-E3/73?

All SA20-E3/73 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SA20-E3/73, 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 SA20-E3/73 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for SA20-E3/73:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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