Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA5J13A-E3/61

Overview

SMA5J13A-E3/61 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode in SMA (DO-214AC) package, designed for high-energy surge protection on power and signal lines. It features a 13 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 14.4–15.9 V breakdown voltage (V_BR), 21.5 V clamping voltage (V_C) at 23.3 A peak pulse current, and 500 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 µs waveform - deployed in automotive power supply rails and industrial sensor interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the SMA5J13A-E3/61 datasheet, SMA5J13A-E3/61 pinout, SMA5J13A-E3/61 application, or SMA5J13A-E3/61 equivalent, key selection criteria include unidirectional polarity, 1.0 µA max reverse leakage at V_WM, AEC-Q101 qualification eligibility (via HE3 suffix), thermal resistance (R_θJA = 80 °C/W), and compatibility with automated SMT placement on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads.

Technical Context

This TVS diode operates as a clamping device that transitions from high-impedance to low-impedance state within picoseconds when exposed to transients exceeding its breakdown voltage. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable V_BR tolerance (±5 %) and low incremental surge resistance, enabling consistent clamping performance under repetitive 10/1000 µs surges up to 500 W.

The SMA5J13A-E3/61 is rated for -55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature, with MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity and matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD 22-B102. Its unidirectional configuration requires cathode-band orientation during PCB layout, and it delivers 21.5 V clamping at 23.3 A - critical for protecting 12 V automotive electronics against ISO 7637-2 pulses.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, low-profile case with matte tin-plated leads. Cathode indicated by band marking on body. Compliant with UL 94 V-0 flammability rating and JESD 201 Class 2 whisker testing.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMA5J13A-M3/61, the SMA5J13A-E3/61 offers identical surge performance with standard RoHS compliance; versus SMA5J13CA-E3/61, it provides lower-cost, polarity-specific clamping ideal for grounded 12 V systems - avoiding unnecessary bidirectional overhead where not required.

Availability

SMA5J13A-E3/61 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power rail protection, industrial sensor interface hardening, and consumer power adapter surge suppression requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for SMA5J13A-E3/61 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, power density, and automotive-grade qualification.

The SMA5J series is engineered for high-power-density transient suppression in space-constrained SMT designs, targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where robust 500 W surge handling and AEC-Q101 readiness are essential.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of the SMA5J13A-E3/61 under maximum surge conditions?

The SMA5J13A-E3/61 has a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 21.5 V at its rated peak pulse current (I_PPM) of 23.3 A with a 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per JEDEC standards and ensures downstream components see no more than 21.5 V during worst-case transient events. The SMA5J13A-E3/61 maintains this clamping performance across its qualified operating temperature range of -55 °C to +150 °C.

Is the SMA5J13A-E3/61 suitable for automotive applications?

The SMA5J13A-E3/61 itself is commercial-grade, but Vishay offers AEC-Q101-qualified versions under the HE3 and HM3 suffixes (e.g., SMA5J13AHE3_A). While the SMA5J13A-E3/61 shares identical electrical and thermal characteristics, full automotive qualification requires the HE3 variant. Engineers designing for automotive should specify SMA5J13AHE3_A for production, though SMA5J13A-E3/61 is valid for prototyping and non-automotive 12 V systems.

What does the "-E3/61" suffix mean in SMA5J13A-E3/61?

The "E3" suffix denotes RoHS-compliant, commercial-grade construction with matte tin-plated leads, while "/61" specifies packaging in 7-inch diameter plastic tape and reel, with a base quantity of 1800 units per reel. This format is optimized for high-speed pick-and-place assembly. The SMA5J13A-E3/61 is not halogen-free (that requires "M3") nor automotive-qualified (which requires "HE3"), distinguishing it from other ordering variants of the same core device.

How does the SMA5J13A-E3/61 compare to SMAJ13A in terms of surge capability?

The SMA5J13A-E3/61 delivers 500 W peak pulse power, whereas the older SMAJ13A is rated for only 400 W under the same 10/1000 µs waveform. This 25 % higher power rating allows the SMA5J13A-E3/61 to handle more severe transients - such as extended-duration load dumps - without degradation. Both share the SMA (DO-214AC) package and similar V_WM/V_C values, but the SMA5J13A-E3/61 reflects Vishay's improved silicon process for enhanced surge robustness.

What is the reverse leakage current specification for SMA5J13A-E3/61 at its stand-off voltage?

The SMA5J13A-E3/61 exhibits a maximum reverse leakage current (I_D) of 1.0 µA at its 13 V stand-off voltage (V_WM) and 25 °C ambient temperature. This ultra-low leakage ensures minimal power loss in always-on 12 V systems and prevents false triggering in high-impedance sensing circuits. Leakage remains below 5 µA up to +85 °C, supporting reliable operation in under-hood automotive environments.