Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation SA26CA

Overview

SA26CA from Taiwan Semiconductor is a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-204AC (DO-15) package, rated for 500W peak pulse power at 10/1000μs, with 26V working stand-off voltage (VWM), 28.9–35.3V breakdown voltage (VBR), and 45.4V clamping voltage (VC) at 11.0A peak pulse current-designed for ESD and electrical fast transient protection in automotive lighting and industrial control interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the SA26CA datasheet, SA26CA pinout, SA26CA application, or SA26CA equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, bidirectional TVS behavior, DO-15 terminal polarity marking, AEC-Q101 qualification status, and direct alternatives for circuit-level surge immunity design.

Technical Context

The SA26CA is a silicon avalanche diode engineered for bidirectional clamping across both polarities, meeting IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD) and IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT) immunity requirements. Its low dynamic impedance ensures rapid voltage clamping below 45.4V at 11.0A, while maintaining <1μA reverse leakage above 26V.

It operates over –55°C to +175°C junction temperature range and is qualified to AEC-Q101 for automotive under-hood applications. The device uses pure tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and passes JESD201 Class 2 whisker testing.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SA26CA is housed in a DO-204AC (DO-15) axial-leaded package with cathode band marking indicating polarity for unidirectional variants; as a bidirectional device, it has no functional anode/cathode distinction-both terminals are electrically symmetric and interchangeable in circuit placement.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar bidirectional TVS diode applications.

Compared with SA26CA, SMBJ26CA and P6SMB26CA offer identical electrical protection performance but require surface-mount layout adaptation; SA26CA remains optimal for legacy through-hole designs, service replacements, and applications where axial lead mechanical robustness is prioritized over density.

Availability

SA26CA is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive lighting systems, industrial PLC inputs, smart building controls, and CAN bus interfaces requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for SA26CA 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 analog and discrete semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, specializing in power management, protection devices, and automotive-qualified components.

The SA Series TVS diodes were developed specifically for AEC-Q101-compliant transient suppression in harsh automotive and industrial environments, emphasizing high surge robustness, low clamping voltage, and long-term parametric stability.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of SA26CA and how is it measured?

The SA26CA has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 45.4 V, measured at 11.0 A peak pulse current using the standardized 10/1000 μs double-exponential surge waveform per IEC 61000-4-5. This value represents the upper limit of voltage imposed on protected circuitry during worst-case transient events, and is guaranteed across the full operating temperature range of –55°C to +175°C. The SA26CA datasheet specifies this parameter under condition TA = 25°C with derating applied above ambient.

Is SA26CA unidirectional or bidirectional, and how does that affect circuit placement?

SA26CA is a bidirectional TVS diode, meaning it provides symmetrical clamping for both positive and negative transients without polarity sensitivity. Unlike unidirectional variants (e.g., SA26A), SA26CA has no functional anode or cathode-its terminals are electrically interchangeable. This allows flexible PCB placement without regard to orientation, simplifying layout for AC-coupled or floating signal paths such as CAN bus or Ethernet PHY interfaces.

Does SA26CA meet AEC-Q101 qualification, and what tests does that include?

Yes, SA26CA meets AEC-Q101 qualification when ordered with the "H" suffix (e.g., SA26CAH). This certification covers stress tests including high-temperature operating life (HTOL), temperature cycling (TC), unbiased highly accelerated stress test (uHAST), mechanical shock, and solder heat resistance. The qualification confirms suitability for automotive under-hood and chassis-mounted applications where reliability under thermal, mechanical, and electrical stress is critical.

What is the junction capacitance of SA26CA, and why does it matter for high-speed interfaces?

The SA26CA exhibits typical junction capacitance of less than 200 pF at 0 V bias, dropping to ~100 pF at its 26 V working stand-off voltage. While not optimized for RF or multi-Gbps data lines, this capacitance level is acceptable for CAN FD (up to 5 Mbps), RS-485, and industrial Ethernet PHY protection-where excessive capacitance would distort edge rates or attenuate signal amplitude. For higher-speed applications, lower-capacitance TVS arrays or specialized ESD suppressors are recommended instead of SA26CA.

How does SA26CA compare to SA26A in terms of electrical performance and use case?

SA26CA is bidirectional with symmetrical VBR (28.9–35.3 V) and VC (45.4 V) in both directions, while SA26A is unidirectional-clamping only in reverse bias and conducting forward current up to 3.5 V at 35 A. SA26CA suits AC or floating circuits like differential buses; SA26A fits DC power rail protection where forward conduction must be avoided. Their packaging, surge rating (500 W), and thermal specs are identical, but circuit function dictates selection-not interchangeability.