Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA5J12CA-M3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMA5J12CA-M3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMA5J12CA-M3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 12VWM 19.9VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMA5J12CA-M3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in SMA (DO-214AC) package, designed for high-energy surge protection on signal and power lines. It features a 12 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 13.3–14.7 V breakdown voltage (VBR), 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs), <1.0 µA reverse leakage at VWM, and clamps to ≤19.9 V at 25.1 A peak pulse current - deployed in automotive sensor interfaces and industrial I/O protection.
For engineers reviewing the SMA5J12CA-M3/5A datasheet, SMA5J12CA-M3/5A pinout, SMA5J12CA-M3/5A application, or SMA5J12CA-M3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, halogen-free RoHS compliance (M3 suffix), 150 °C max junction temperature, and compatibility with automated SMT placement on 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads.
Technical Context
This bidirectional TVS operates symmetrically in both polarities, with identical electrical characteristics forward and reverse - enabling robust protection against ESD, lightning-induced surges, and inductive switching transients without polarity dependency. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable VBR tolerance and low incremental surge resistance.
The device delivers 500 W peak pulse power under standardized 10/1000 µs waveform conditions, with thermal resistance of 80 °C/W (junction-to-ambient) and 25 °C/W (junction-to-lead), supporting reliable operation up to 150 °C junction temperature in compact surface-mount layouts.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 12 V - maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins; defines safe operating window for protected circuitry. |
| VBR (min/max) | 13.3 V / 14.7 V at 1 mA - verified breakdown threshold range ensuring predictable turn-on during overvoltage events. |
| VC @ IPPM | ≤19.9 V at 25.1 A - clamping voltage under full-rated 500 W surge, limiting stress on downstream ICs or MOSFETs. |
| ID @ VWM | <1.0 µA - ultra-low leakage preserves signal integrity and battery life in always-on sensor or communication lines. |
| PPPM | 500 W (10/1000 µs) - high energy absorption capacity suitable for automotive load-dump and industrial surge immunity requirements. |
| TJ max | 150 °C - enables use in under-hood automotive environments and thermally constrained industrial enclosures. |
| Package | SMA (DO-214AC) - industry-standard surface-mount outline with 5.28 mm length, 4.50 mm width, and 2.29 mm height for automated assembly. |
Pinout & Package
Two-terminal bidirectional device in SMA (DO-214AC) package; no polarity marking. Terminals are matte tin-plated leads, solderable per J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102, with MSL Level 1 rating (peak reflow 260 °C).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (symmetrical) | Bidirectional surge path | Either terminal serves as input/output; no cathode band - identical clamping behavior in both directions. |
| Case (body) | Thermal and mechanical interface | Plastic body provides UL 94 V-0 flammability rating; copper pad mounting required for rated power dissipation. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional clamping | Enables single-device protection of AC-coupled or floating signal lines without polarity concerns. |
| 500 W peak pulse power | Meets ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a (load dump) and IEC 61000-4-5 surge immunity requirements in compact form factor. |
| Halogen-free & RoHS-compliant (M3) | Supports environmental compliance for automotive and industrial OEM programs requiring material declaration and green manufacturing. |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes voltage overshoot during fast-rising transients (<1 ns response), improving protection margin for sensitive analog front-ends. |
| AEC-Q101 qualification option | Available in HM3 variant (e.g., SMA5J12CAHM3_A/I) for automotive-grade reliability validation including HTOL and temperature cycling. |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Protection | Industrial PLC I/O Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting CAN/LIN bus transceivers and analog sensor inputs (e.g., pressure, temperature) from load dump and ESD in vehicle ECUs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional voltage clamp placed across differential or single-ended signal lines upstream of interface ICs. Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤19.9 V while sustaining 500 W surge energy, preventing latch-up or gate oxide damage in 3.3 V/5 V sensor signal chains. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding digital input modules in programmable logic controllers exposed to inductive kickback from solenoids and relays. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Parallel-connected TVS on 24 V DC input terminals to shunt surge current away from optocoupler or microcontroller GPIO. Use Value: Clamps 25.1 A surge within nanoseconds, maintaining system uptime by avoiding false triggering or component failure during factory automation transients. |
| Telecom Line Interface | Consumer Power Adapter Output |
Use Scenario: Shielding Ethernet PHY magnetics and PoE controller inputs from lightning-induced surges on outdoor telecom equipment. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary-level TVS on secondary-side data/power lines, coordinated with gas discharge tubes for staged protection. Use Value: Provides fast-response clamping (sub-ns) with low capacitance, preserving 100BASE-TX signal integrity while absorbing multi-kV transients. |
Use Scenario: Secondary-side overvoltage suppression on 5 V/12 V USB-C or barrel-jack outputs of wall adapters subject to capacitor discharge events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Final-stage protector between DC-DC output and connector, preventing user-exposed ports from hazardous voltage spikes. Use Value: Halogen-free M3 construction meets regional safety standards; 12 V VWM aligns with common adapter output rails without false triggering. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMA5J12CA-E3/5A | Same electrical specs; RoHS-compliant but not halogen-free (E3 vs. M3). | Preferred for commercial-grade applications where halogen content is unrestricted. | Select E3 when cost sensitivity outweighs halogen-free requirement; M3 required for automotive Tier 1 supply chain compliance. |
| SMA6J12CA-M3/5A | 600 W PPPM, same VWM/VBR, larger SMA package footprint (DO-214AC variant with higher thermal mass). | Used where higher surge margin or extended lifetime under repetitive transients is needed. | Choose SMA6J12CA-M3/5A only if design requires >500 W rating; otherwise SMA5J12CA-M3/5A offers optimal size-power balance. |
Compared with SMA5J12CA-E3/5A, the M3 suffix adds halogen-free compliance without performance trade-offs; versus SMA6J12CA-M3/5A, it trades 100 W peak power for smaller PCB area and lower thermal mass - critical for space-constrained automotive modules.
Availability
SMA5J12CA-M3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor interfaces, industrial PLC I/O protection, and telecom line interface circuits requiring stable component supply with halogen-free compliance and AEC-Q101 upgrade path.
Supply support for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A 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 and application-specific performance.
The SMA5J series is engineered for high-power-density transient suppression in automotive, industrial, and communications systems - delivering robust surge handling in the smallest possible DO-214AC footprint.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SMA5J12CA-M3/5A at its rated peak pulse current?
The SMA5J12CA-M3/5A clamps to a maximum of 19.9 V at its rated peak pulse current of 25.1 A under the standard 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per test condition specified in Vishay document 88875 and ensures downstream components see limited overvoltage stress during surge events. The SMA5J12CA-M3/5A maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range.
Is SMA5J12CA-M3/5A suitable for automotive applications?
Yes - the SMA5J12CA-M3/5A is halogen-free and RoHS-compliant (M3 suffix), and an AEC-Q101 qualified version is available as SMA5J12CAHM3_A/I. While the base SMA5J12CA-M3/5A itself is commercial-grade, its electrical specs, thermal rating (150 °C), and package robustness make it widely adopted in non-safety-critical automotive subsystems such as body control modules and infotainment interfaces.
How does SMA5J12CA-M3/5A differ from unidirectional SMA5J12A-M3/5A?
The SMA5J12CA-M3/5A is bidirectional with symmetrical clamping in both polarities and no cathode marking, whereas SMA5J12A-M3/5A is unidirectional with a cathode band and conducts only in reverse bias. Their VWM, VBR, and PPPM are identical, but SMA5J12CA-M3/5A supports AC or floating-line protection where polarity is undefined - essential for differential buses like RS-485 or transformer-coupled interfaces.
What is the reverse leakage current specification for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A at 12 V?
The SMA5J12CA-M3/5A exhibits a maximum reverse leakage current (ID) of 1.0 µA at its 12 V stand-off voltage (VWM) and 25 °C ambient temperature. This ultra-low leakage ensures minimal power loss and signal distortion in always-on monitoring circuits, and remains well within typical thresholds for battery-powered sensor nodes and precision analog front-ends.
Does SMA5J12CA-M3/5A require special PCB layout considerations?
Yes - to achieve rated 500 W pulse power, the SMA5J12CA-M3/5A must be mounted on minimum recommended copper pads: 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) per terminal, per Vishay's thermal derating curve. Smaller pads reduce heat dissipation, lowering achievable surge current and risking thermal runaway. The SMA5J12CA-M3/5A also requires lead-free reflow compatible with MSL Level 1 (260 °C peak).
SMA5J12CA-M3/5A Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 12V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 13.3V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 19.9V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 25.1A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 500W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-214AC (SMA)
SMA5J12CA-M3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A 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 SMA5J12CA-M3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMA5J12CA-M3/5A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A?
SMA5J12CA-M3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMA5J12CA-M3/5A 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 SMA5J12CA-M3/5A?
For technical support, including SMA5J12CA-M3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMA5J12CA-M3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMA5J12CA-M3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMA5J12CA-M3/5A 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 SMA5J12CA-M3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMA5J12CA-M3/5A?
All SMA5J12CA-M3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMA5J12CA-M3/5A, 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 SMA5J12CA-M3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMA5J12CA-M3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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