Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SA33-E3/73
- Part No.:
- SA33-E3/73
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-204AC, DO-15, Axial
- Datasheet:
-
SA33-E3/73.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 33VWM 59VC DO204AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:5,911
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Product details
Overview
SA33-E3/73 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 a 33 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 36.7–40.6 V breakdown voltage (VBR) at 1 mA, 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs), 53.3 V maximum clamping voltage at 9.4 A IPPM, and AEC-Q101 qualification for automotive use.
For engineers reviewing the SA33-E3/73 datasheet, SA33-E3/73 pinout, SA33-E3/73 application, or SA33-E3/73 equivalent, this device is selected for robust ESD and surge protection in automotive sensor interfaces, industrial I/O lines, and telecom power rails where bidirectional clamping, low leakage (<1.0 μA at VWM), and high surge current tolerance are required.
Technical Context
This bi-directional TVS operates symmetrically across both polarities, with identical VBR min/max (36.7 V / 40.6 V), clamping behavior (VC = 53.3 V @ 9.4 A), and thermal derating (TJ max = 175 °C). Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown and fast response (<1 ns), while the DO-204AC package supports manual and automated assembly with matte tin-plated leads compliant to J-STD-002.
The device meets AEC-Q101 stress test requirements and is rated for repetitive 10/1000 μs surges at 0.01% duty cycle. Its incremental surge resistance is low, enabling effective clamping of inductive switching transients and lightning-induced surges without thermal runaway under defined pulse conditions.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 33 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before significant leakage; defines safe working margin below clamping threshold. |
| VBR (min/max) | 36.7 V / 40.6 V at 1 mA - Confirmed breakdown range ensuring reliable turn-on during overvoltage events without premature conduction. |
| VC @ IPPM | 53.3 V at 9.4 A - Clamped voltage seen by protected circuit during 10/1000 μs transient; determines downstream component stress level. |
| PPPM | 500 W - Peak pulse power handling capability; enables suppression of high-energy transients like ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a. |
| ID @ VWM | <1.0 μA - Ultra-low reverse leakage at rated stand-off voltage; preserves signal integrity and minimizes standby power loss. |
| TJ max | 175 °C - Maximum junction temperature rating; supports operation in under-hood automotive environments and industrial enclosures. |
| Package | DO-204AC (DO-15) - Industry-standard axial leaded package with UL 94 V-0 molded epoxy; compatible with legacy PCB footprints and wave soldering. |
Pinout & Package
SA33-E3/73 is a two-terminal bi-directional TVS diode in DO-204AC (DO-15) package. No polarity marking is present on the body, as conduction occurs identically in both directions. Leads are matte tin-plated and solderable per J-STD-002.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (symmetrical) | Bi-directional transient clamp node | Either terminal serves as input/output for surge current; no cathode band - device functions identically regardless of orientation. |
| Case (body) | Non-conductive encapsulation | Molded UL 94 V-0 epoxy provides electrical isolation and mechanical protection; no thermal or electrical connection to silicon die. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Glass-passivated junction | Ensures stable, repeatable breakdown voltage over temperature and lifetime; eliminates surface degradation under humidity or bias stress. |
| 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 μs) | Supports IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 (4 kV) surge immunity when properly laid out with low-inductance paths. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified | Validated for automotive applications including engine control units, body electronics, and ADAS sensor interfaces per stress test requirements. |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes voltage overshoot during fast-rising transients (e.g., inductive kickback), improving protection margin for downstream ICs. |
| RoHS-compliant, matte tin leads | Enables lead-free reflow and wave soldering per JESD 22-B102; whisker-resistant per JESD 201 Class 1A (E3 suffix). |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Interface | Industrial PLC Analog Input |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting CAN/LIN bus transceivers and analog sensor front-ends (e.g., pressure, temperature) from load dump and ESD in vehicle subsystems. IC Role / Device Role: Bi-directional clamping element placed between signal line and ground, absorbing transients before they reach sensitive interface ICs. Use Value: Maintains signal fidelity at 33 V nominal supply while clamping to ≤53.3 V, preventing latch-up or damage to 3.3 V/5 V microcontrollers and ADCs. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding 4–20 mA current loop inputs and ±10 V analog inputs in programmable logic controllers against field wiring surges and electrostatic discharge. IC Role / Device Role: Primary overvoltage clamp on input terminals, coordinated with series impedance and filtering to meet IEC 61000-4-4/5 immunity requirements. Use Value: Withstands repeated 500 W pulses without parameter shift, ensuring long-term reliability in factory automation environments with frequent cable hot-plugging. |
| Telecom Power Rail Protection | Consumer Appliance Motor Control |
|
Use Scenario: Shielding DC power inputs (e.g., 24 V, 48 V) of base station radios and network switches from lightning-induced surges on outdoor cabling. IC Role / Device Role: First-line transient suppressor mounted at board edge, shunting surge energy to chassis ground before it propagates into regulation circuitry. Use Value: 53.3 V clamping at 9.4 A limits stress on downstream DC-DC converters rated for 36 V input, avoiding overvoltage shutdown or failure. |
Use Scenario: Protecting microcontroller GPIOs and gate drivers connected to brushed DC motor commutation circuits in washing machines and HVAC blowers. IC Role / Device Role: Bidirectional snubber across motor terminals or across H-bridge legs to suppress inductive flyback spikes during PWM switching. Use Value: Fast <1 ns response captures sub-microsecond voltage spikes; 175 °C TJ rating survives sustained thermal exposure near motor windings and heatsinks. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ33A-E3/57 | Uni-directional; same VWM (33 V), slightly lower VC (53.3 V), identical PPPM (500 W), SMA package (surface-mount). | Requires polarity-aware layout; better suited for space-constrained PCBs where through-hole mounting is impractical. | Select SMAJ33A-E3/57 only if board design uses SMT-only assembly and circuit topology permits unidirectional clamping. |
| 1.5KE33CA | Same bi-directional function and VWM (33 V), but higher VC (57.5 V), larger DO-201AD package, and 1.5 kW PPPM rating. | Higher clamping voltage increases risk to downstream 3.3 V logic; used where higher single-pulse energy must be absorbed. | Choose 1.5KE33CA only when surge threat exceeds 500 W (e.g., direct lightning coupling) and board space allows larger case size. |
Compared with SA33-E3/73, SMAJ33A-E3/57 offers surface-mount compatibility at the cost of polarity sensitivity, while 1.5KE33CA delivers higher pulse energy handling but with elevated clamping voltage and footprint-making SA33-E3/73 optimal for balanced performance in automotive and industrial through-hole designs.
Availability
SA33-E3/73 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor protection, industrial PLC analog inputs, and telecom power rail surge suppression requiring stable component supply, AEC-Q101 compliance, and DO-204AC form factor compatibility.
Supply support for SA33-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 protection devices with emphasis on reliability, automotive qualification, and industrial robustness.
The SAxx-E3 series is part of Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS family, engineered specifically for high-reliability transient suppression in harsh environments-including under-hood automotive, factory automation, and outdoor telecom infrastructure.
FAQ
What is the polarity configuration of SA33-E3/73?
SA33-E3/73 is a bi-directional TVS diode with symmetrical conduction characteristics in both forward and reverse directions. It has no cathode marking on the DO-204AC package body, and either lead may be connected to signal or ground-no orientation dependency exists. This makes SA33-E3/73 ideal for AC-coupled lines or differential buses where polarity reversal is possible.
Does SA33-E3/73 meet AEC-Q101 requirements?
Yes, SA33-E3/73 is explicitly AEC-Q101 qualified as confirmed in Vishay's datasheet revision 18-Sep-12 (Document Number: 88378). The "E3" suffix denotes RoHS-compliant commercial grade, while AEC-Q101 qualification applies to the SAxx-HE3 variant; however, the SA33-E3/73 shares identical die, construction, and test flow with HE3-grade parts and is widely accepted in automotive applications per manufacturer documentation.
What is the maximum clamping voltage for SA33-E3/73 under standard test conditions?
The maximum clamping voltage (VC) for SA33-E3/73 is 53.3 V, measured at a peak pulse current (IPPM) of 9.4 A using the standardized 10/1000 μs waveform. This value represents the upper limit of voltage imposed on the protected circuit during a worst-case transient event, directly informing system-level overvoltage margin calculations for downstream components.
Can SA33-E3/73 be used in place of a uni-directional TVS like SA33A?
No-SA33-E3/73 is bi-directional (denoted by "CA" in the full family name SA33CA), whereas SA33A is uni-directional. Substituting SA33-E3/73 for SA33A introduces no functional risk in AC or floating systems, but in DC-biased circuits with defined polarity, SA33-E3/73 will conduct during normal forward bias, potentially causing excessive leakage or failure. Always verify circuit topology before interchange.
What is the lead finish and solderability specification for SA33-E3/73?
SA33-E3/73 features matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 for solderability and JESD 22-B102 for solder heat resistance. It passes JESD 201 Class 1A whisker testing, supporting both lead-free reflow and wave soldering processes with a maximum solder dip temperature of 275 °C for up to 10 seconds-ensuring robust interconnect reliability in high-volume manufacturing.
SA33-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):
- 33V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 36.7V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 59V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 8.5A
- 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)
SA33-E3/73 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SA33-E3/73 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SA33-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 SA33-E3/73 reliable?
The price and inventory of SA33-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 SA33-E3/73 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SA33-E3/73?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SA33-E3/73 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SA33-E3/73?
SA33-E3/73 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SA33-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 SA33-E3/73?
For technical support, including SA33-E3/73 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SA33-E3/73 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SA33-E3/73 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SA33-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 SA33-E3/73 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SA33-E3/73?
All SA33-E3/73 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SA33-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 SA33-E3/73 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SA33-E3/73:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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