onsemi SA6.5CARL

Overview

SA6.5CARL from onsemi is a bidirectional 500 W MiniMOSORB™ Zener transient voltage suppressor (TVS) designed for clamping high-energy transients in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 6.5 V working peak reverse voltage (VRWM), 11.2 V maximum clamping voltage at 44.7 A peak pulse current, <1 µA leakage above 8.5 V, and sub-1 ns response time-used in industrial power supplies and medical equipment surge protection.

For engineers reviewing the SA6.5CARL datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection criteria include VRWM matching system operating voltage, clamping voltage margin relative to IC absolute maximum ratings, UL 497B certification for isolated loop protection, and axial leaded Case 59 package compatibility with through-hole PCB layouts.

Technical Context

The SA6.5CARL operates as a bidirectional avalanche diode, symmetrically clamping both positive and negative transients without polarity dependence. Its breakdown voltage is specified at 7.22–7.98 V (min–max) with 10 mA test current, and it maintains stable performance across −55°C to +175°C junction temperature range.

It delivers 500 W nonrepetitive peak pulse power per 1 ms waveform (Figure 3), with thermal resistance of 33.3°C/W from junction-to-lead and steady-state power dissipation derated from 3.0 W at TL ≤ 75°C. The device meets Class 3 ESD immunity (>16 kV HBM) and UL 497B recognition for isolated loop circuit protection.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SA6.5CARL uses an axial-leaded Surmetic plastic package (Case 59–09), with cathode band marking for mechanical orientation only-no functional polarity in bidirectional operation. Leads are corrosion-resistant, solderable, and rated for 230°C for 10 seconds at 1/16″ from case.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMA6.5CA and P6KE6.8CA, SA6.5CARL provides the highest peak power (500 W) in an axial tape-and-reel format, making it optimal for high-volume manufacturing of industrial power modules where mechanical robustness and surge margin are prioritized over board density.

Availability

SA6.5CARL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial power supply protection, medical equipment surge suppression, numerical control system I/O protection, and communication interface transient guarding requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for SA6.5CARL 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

onsemi (formerly ON Semiconductor) is a global semiconductor supplier focused on energy-efficient electronics, delivering silicon solutions for automotive, industrial, cloud, and IoT applications.

The SA5.0CA Series-including SA6.5CARL-is part of onsemi's MiniMOSORB™ TVS portfolio, engineered specifically for high-reliability transient suppression in harsh environments where UL certification, wide temperature operation, and repeatable clamping performance are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the working peak reverse voltage (VRWM) of the SA6.5CARL?

The SA6.5CARL has a working peak reverse voltage (VRWM) of 6.5 V, meaning it remains non-conductive below this voltage and begins clamping transients above it. This value is selected to match or slightly exceed the peak DC or AC operating voltage of the protected circuit-such as 5 V logic rails or 6 V sensor supply lines-ensuring reliable operation without false triggering. The SA6.5CARL's VRWM is tightly controlled between 6.5 V (nominal) and its breakdown range of 7.22–7.98 V.

Does the SA6.5CARL have polarity-sensitive mounting requirements?

No-the SA6.5CARL is a bidirectional TVS diode, and its cathode band indicates mechanical orientation only, not electrical polarity. Both terminals behave identically under positive or negative transients, enabling flexible placement across AC-coupled lines, differential buses like RS-485, or floating grounds. This eliminates risk of incorrect installation in field service or high-mix manufacturing, unlike unidirectional variants such as SA6.5A.

What is the maximum clamping voltage of the SA6.5CARL at its rated peak pulse current?

The SA6.5CARL clamps to a maximum of 11.2 V at its rated peak pulse current of 44.7 A (per 1 ms waveform). This clamping voltage defines the upper voltage limit imposed on downstream components during surge events. For example, when protecting a 5 V microcontroller with 6 V absolute maximum rating, the 11.2 V clamp requires additional series impedance (e.g., current-limiting resistor) to ensure the IC sees less than 6 V-making SA6.5CARL appropriate for 12 V or 24 V systems where headroom exists.

Is the SA6.5CARL certified for safety-critical applications?

Yes-the SA6.5CARL carries UL 497B recognition (File #E116110, category QVGV2) for isolated loop circuit protection, validated through strike voltage breakdown, endurance conditioning, dielectric withstand, and discharge testing. This certification permits its use in safety-rated subsystems such as medical isolation barriers and industrial safety controllers where third-party validation is mandatory-unlike non-certified TVS diodes that require full system-level requalification.

What package type and packaging format does the SA6.5CARL use?

The SA6.5CARL is supplied in ON Semiconductor's axial-leaded Surmetic plastic package (Case 59–09), with dimensions 5.80–7.60 mm in length and 2.60–3.60 mm in diameter. The "RL" suffix indicates tape-and-reel packaging-5,000 units per reel-optimized for automated through-hole insertion. Note that SA6.5CA (non-RL) is available in bulk boxes of 1,000, but SA6.5CARL is not offered in that format.