Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA5J16CAHM3/I
- Part No.:
- SMA5J16CAHM3/I
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMA5J16CAHM3/I.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 16VWM 26VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:8,346
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Product details
Overview
SMA5J16CAHM3/I 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 16 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 26.0 V maximum clamping voltage (VC) at 19.2 A peak pulse current (IPPM), and 500 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs waveform), commonly deployed in automotive sensor interfaces and industrial I/O protection.
For engineers reviewing the SMA5J16CAHM3/I datasheet, SMA5J16CAHM3/I pinout, SMA5J16CAHM3/I application, or SMA5J16CAHM3/I equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional polarity, AEC-Q101 qualification status, halogen-free RoHS compliance (HM3 suffix), junction temperature range (–55 °C to +150 °C), and thermal resistance (RθJA = 80 °C/W).
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamped surge protector with symmetrical breakdown behavior in both directions due to its bidirectional construction. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable leakage performance and fast response time (<1 ns), while low incremental surge resistance enables effective energy diversion during transients induced by inductive switching or ESD events.
The SMA5J16CAHM3/I is rated for 500 W peak pulse power under standardized 10/1000 µs waveform conditions and exhibits a typical thermal resistance of 80 °C/W (junction-to-ambient) when mounted on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads - critical for sustained surge handling in compact PCB layouts.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 16 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins; defines safe operating margin for protected circuitry. |
| VBR min/max | 17.8 V / 19.7 V - Breakdown voltage range at 1 mA test current; ensures predictable turn-on threshold across production lot. |
| VC @ IPPM | 26.0 V - Clamping voltage at 19.2 A peak pulse current; determines maximum voltage stress imposed on downstream ICs during surge. |
| IPPM | 19.2 A - Peak pulse current capability under 10/1000 µs waveform; quantifies surge energy absorption capacity. |
| PPPM | 500 W - Peak pulse power rating; defines maximum transient energy dissipation per event without failure. |
| TJ range | –55 °C to +150 °C - Operating and storage junction temperature range; supports under-hood automotive and industrial environments. |
| Package | SMA (DO-214AC) - Surface-mount package with 5.28 mm × 4.50 mm footprint and 2.29 mm height; compatible with automated placement and reflow soldering. |
Pinout & Package
SMA (DO-214AC) package: two-terminal, non-polarized surface-mount device. Bidirectional construction means no cathode/anode distinction; no marking on body.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (symmetrical) | Surge current path terminal | Both terminals function identically in bidirectional mode; connects across protected line and ground or between differential lines. |
| Case (body) | Non-electrical mechanical interface | Plastic-molded housing meeting UL 94 V-0 flammability rating; provides insulation and mechanical robustness. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional surge suppression | Enables symmetric clamping on AC-coupled or floating signal lines without polarity concerns - ideal for CAN, RS-485, and sensor bridges. |
| AEC-Q101 qualified (HM3 suffix) | Validated for automotive-grade reliability including temperature cycling, humidity testing, and mechanical shock - required for engine control and ADAS modules. |
| Halogen-free & RoHS-compliant | Meets environmental compliance mandates for global OEMs and industrial equipment; eliminates brominated flame retardants in molding compound. |
| Low Rdyn and fast response | Minimizes clamping overshoot and voltage excursion during sub-100 ns ESD events - protects sensitive analog front-ends and microcontroller I/O pins. |
| MSL Level 1 (260 °C peak) | Supports standard lead-free reflow profiles without moisture sensitivity concerns - eliminates bake requirements prior to assembly. |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Protection | Industrial I/O Interface |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting LIN bus transceivers and pressure sensor outputs in engine bay environments exposed to load dump and ISO 7637-2 pulses. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage-clamping TVS placed between signal line and chassis ground to limit transient overvoltage to ≤26.0 V. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or gate oxide damage in 3.3 V/5 V sensor interface ICs during 50 V/100 ms load dump events. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding PLC analog input channels (4–20 mA, 0–10 V) against field wiring surges and electrostatic discharge. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary overvoltage clamp on input terminals, coordinated with series current-limiting resistor and filtering capacitor. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity below 26.0 V clamping level during 1 kV/500 A surge tests per IEC 61000-4-5. |
| Telecom Line Interface | Consumer USB Port Protection |
Use Scenario: Shielding Ethernet PHY magnetics and PoE injectors from lightning-induced surges on outdoor cabling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary-level TVS across differential pairs (e.g., TX+/TX–) to absorb common-mode transients. Use Value: Limits differential voltage excursion to <26.0 V during 10/700 µs telecom surge waveforms, preserving PHY functionality. |
Use Scenario: Adding robust ESD immunity to USB 2.0 data lines (D+/D–) in portable medical devices and smart home hubs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional clamping element placed directly at connector, before ESD filter or transceiver. Use Value: Withstands ±15 kV contact discharge (IEC 61000-4-2) without degradation, maintaining signal rise time integrity. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMA5J16CAHE3/I | Same electrical specs and AEC-Q101 qualification, but RoHS-compliant without halogen-free requirement (E3 vs HM3). | Acceptable for automotive applications where halogen-free is not mandated by Tier 1 spec. | Select SMA5J16CAHE3/I if halogen-free material is not required and cost optimization is prioritized. |
| SMA6J16CA-M3 | Higher peak pulse power (600 W vs 500 W); same VWM, VC, and package; not AEC-Q101 qualified. | Suitable for industrial/commercial systems requiring higher surge margin but lacking automotive qualification needs. | Choose SMA6J16CA-M3 when surge energy exceeds 500 W limits and AEC-Q101 is unnecessary. |
Compared with SMA5J16CAHM3/I, SMA5J16CAHE3/I offers identical automotive reliability at lower material cost, while SMA6J16CA-M3 trades qualification for higher power handling - enabling design flexibility across automotive, industrial, and consumer tiers without layout changes.
Availability
SMA5J16CAHM3/I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor interfaces, industrial PLC I/O modules, and telecom line protection requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable halogen-free sourcing.
Supply support for SMA5J16CAHM3/I 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, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, power density, and automotive-grade validation.
The SMA5JxxCA family delivers high-power-density transient suppression for harsh-environment applications, specifically engineered to meet AEC-Q101 requirements and replace legacy through-hole TVS solutions in space-constrained designs.
FAQ
What does the "HM3" suffix mean in SMA5J16CAHM3/I?
The "HM3" suffix in SMA5J16CAHM3/I indicates halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction with AEC-Q101 qualification. It confirms compliance with automotive reliability standards and environmental regulations, distinguishing it from commercial-grade E3 or non-automotive M3 variants. This makes SMA5J16CAHM3/I suitable for under-hood and safety-critical vehicle subsystems.
Is SMA5J16CAHM3/I unidirectional or bidirectional?
SMA5J16CAHM3/I is a bidirectional TVS diode, as indicated by the "CA" suffix. It provides symmetrical clamping in both polarities, making it appropriate for AC-coupled signals, differential buses like CAN or RS-485, and floating sensor outputs. Unlike unidirectional versions (e.g., SMA5J16A), SMA5J16CAHM3/I has no polarity marking and functions identically regardless of voltage polarity.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of SMA5J16CAHM3/I and at what current?
The maximum clamping voltage (VC) of SMA5J16CAHM3/I is 26.0 V, measured at a peak pulse current (IPPM) of 19.2 A under the standardized 10/1000 µs waveform. This value defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events and is critical for ensuring compatibility with 3.3 V or 5 V logic interfaces.
Does SMA5J16CAHM3/I require special PCB layout considerations?
Yes - SMA5J16CAHM3/I should be mounted using the recommended 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pad per terminal to achieve rated thermal performance (RθJA = 80 °C/W). Minimizing trace inductance between the TVS and protected node is essential; placement must be adjacent to the connector or IC input, with short, wide traces to ground. No additional heatsinking is required under typical surge duty cycles.
How does SMA5J16CAHM3/I differ from SMA5J16A?
SMA5J16CAHM3/I is bidirectional with AEC-Q101 qualification and halogen-free materials, whereas SMA5J16A is unidirectional, commercial-grade (E3/M3), and lacks automotive qualification. The "CA" variant enables use on AC or floating lines, while SMA5J16A requires correct polarity orientation and is limited to DC-biased applications. Both share identical VWM (16 V) and package (SMA), but only SMA5J16CAHM3/I supports automotive deployment.
SMA5J16CAHM3/I Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Discontinued at Digi-Key
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 16V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 17.8V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 26V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 19.2A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 500W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- Telecom
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-214AC (SMA)
SMA5J16CAHM3/I FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMA5J16CAHM3/I through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMA5J16CAHM3/I 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 SMA5J16CAHM3/I reliable?
The price and inventory of SMA5J16CAHM3/I are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMA5J16CAHM3/I is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMA5J16CAHM3/I?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMA5J16CAHM3/I transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMA5J16CAHM3/I?
SMA5J16CAHM3/I orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMA5J16CAHM3/I 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 SMA5J16CAHM3/I?
For technical support, including SMA5J16CAHM3/I datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMA5J16CAHM3/I requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMA5J16CAHM3/I is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMA5J16CAHM3/I 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 SMA5J16CAHM3/I meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMA5J16CAHM3/I?
All SMA5J16CAHM3/I units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMA5J16CAHM3/I, 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 SMA5J16CAHM3/I part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMA5J16CAHM3/I:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
SMA5J16CAHM3/I Tags

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