Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SM6T6V8A-M3/5B

Overview

SM6T6V8A-M3/5B from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in SMB (DO-214AA) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on power and signal lines. It features a 6.45 V minimum breakdown voltage (V_BR), 5.80 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 10.5 V maximum clamping voltage (V_C) at 57 A peak pulse current, and 600 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 μs waveform - used to protect MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor interfaces in automotive and industrial electronics.

For engineers reviewing the SM6T6V8A-M3/5B datasheet, SM6T6V8A-M3/5B pinout, SM6T6V8A-M3/5B application, or SM6T6V8A-M3/5B equivalent, key selection criteria include unidirectional polarity, 150 °C max junction temperature, halogen-free RoHS-compliant construction (M3 suffix), low-inductance SMB package, and AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility via HM3 variant.

Technical Context

The SM6T6V8A-M3/5B operates as a unidirectional avalanche diode with glass-passivated junction, delivering fast response to ESD and surge events. Its clamping action begins above 5.80 V reverse stand-off voltage and fully engages by 10.5 V at 57 A, limiting transient energy dissipation across protected circuit nodes.

Designed for surface-mount automated placement, it uses matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102, and meets MSL Level 1 per J-STD-020 with 260 °C reflow peak. Thermal resistance is 100 °C/W junction-to-ambient (R_θJA) on standard 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SMB (DO-214AA) package with cathode band marking on unidirectional devices; two-terminal configuration with anode and cathode leads solderable per J-STD-002.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMAJ6.0A and SMCJ6.0A, the SM6T6V8A-M3/5B delivers optimal balance of 600 W surge capacity, SMB footprint, and 5.80 V stand-off in cost-sensitive automotive and industrial designs - without requiring layout changes or sacrificing clamping performance.

Availability

SM6T6V8A-M3/5B is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ECU protection, industrial sensor interface hardening, and consumer power adapter surge suppression requiring stable component supply and halogen-free compliance.

Supply support for SM6T6V8A-M3/5B 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, TVS, MOSFETs, and optoelectronics with emphasis on reliability and application-specific performance.

The SM6T Series is engineered for high-reliability transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where consistent clamping, low leakage, and AEC-Q101 readiness are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum clamping voltage of the SM6T6V8A-M3/5B under standard test conditions?

The SM6T6V8A-M3/5B has a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 10.5 V at 57 A peak pulse current using the 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per JEDEC standards and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events. The SM6T6V8A-M3/5B maintains this clamping performance across its specified operating temperature range and is validated with 0.2" × 0.2" copper pad layout per datasheet Fig. 2.

Is the SM6T6V8A-M3/5B AEC-Q101 qualified?

The SM6T6V8A-M3/5B itself is not AEC-Q101 qualified; however, the SM6T6V8A-HM3/5B variant (halogen-free, RoHS-compliant, and AEC-Q101 qualified) is available. The "HM3" suffix denotes automotive qualification, while "M3" indicates commercial-grade halogen-free construction. For automotive applications requiring qualification evidence, SM6T6V8A-M3/5B must be replaced with the HM3-suffixed version.

What does the "M3" suffix mean in SM6T6V8A-M3/5B?

The "M3" suffix in SM6T6V8A-M3/5B specifies halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction meeting IPC-1752A material declaration requirements. It also indicates compliance with JESD 201 Class 2 whisker testing and matte tin-plated leads solderable per J-STD-002. This distinguishes it from "E3" (RoHS-compliant but not halogen-free) and "HM3" (AEC-Q101 qualified + halogen-free).

Can SM6T6V8A-M3/5B be used in bidirectional configurations?

No - SM6T6V8A-M3/5B is strictly unidirectional, as indicated by its "A" suffix and cathode band marking. Bidirectional variants use the "CA" suffix (e.g., SM6T6V8CA). Using SM6T6V8A-M3/5B in bidirectional applications would result in forward conduction during negative transients, potentially damaging the device or failing to suppress.

What is the thermal resistance of SM6T6V8A-M3/5B, and how does it affect PCB layout?

The SM6T6V8A-M3/5B has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (R_θJA) of 100 °C/W when mounted on 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads per terminal. To maintain safe junction temperatures under repetitive surges, PCB layout must provide adequate copper area and avoid excessive trace impedance. Reducing pad size increases R_θJA, risking thermal runaway during sustained transient activity.