Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA5J18A-E3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMA5J18A-E3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMA5J18A-E3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 18VWM 29.2VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:7,500
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Product details
Overview
SMA5J18A-E3/5A 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 18 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 20.0–22.1 V breakdown voltage (VBR), 29.2 V clamping voltage at 17.1 A peak pulse current, 500 W peak pulse power rating, and operates from –55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature.
For engineers reviewing the SMA5J18A-E3/5A datasheet, SMA5J18A-E3/5A pinout, SMA5J18A-E3/5A application, or SMA5J18A-E3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping performance under 10/1000 µs transients, thermal resistance (RθJA = 80 °C/W), RoHS-compliant matte tin plating, and compatibility with automated SMT placement on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads.
Technical Context
This TVS diode uses a glass-passivated silicon junction to achieve fast response time (<1 ns) and low incremental surge resistance, enabling effective suppression of ESD, lightning-induced surges, and inductive switching transients. Its unidirectional polarity-marked by a cathode band-supports DC-biased protection paths without reverse conduction during normal operation.
The device complies with ANSI/IEEE C62.35 for transient suppression and meets JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance and J-STD-020 MSL Level 1 (260 °C peak reflow). It is rated for non-repetitive 8.3 ms half-sine surge current up to 40 A (IFSM) and derates linearly above 25 °C ambient per published curves.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 18 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins; defines safe DC bias window. |
| VBR (min/max) | 20.0 V / 22.1 V - Breakdown occurs within this range at 1 mA test current; ensures predictable turn-on threshold. |
| VC @ IPPM | 29.2 V at 17.1 A - Clamped voltage during 10/1000 µs surge; determines maximum stress on downstream ICs. |
| PPPM | 500 W - Peak pulse power handling capability; supports robust protection against IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 surges. |
| RθJA | 80 °C/W - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance on standard 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm pads; informs PCB thermal design. |
| IFSM | 40 A - Non-repetitive forward surge rating (8.3 ms half-sine); validates survivability against motor-switching events. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, low-profile plastic case with matte tin-plated leads. Cathode indicated by a single band on the body; polarity critical for unidirectional operation.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Forward current entry / surge return path | Connected to protected line's low-side or ground reference; must be routed with minimal inductance. |
| Cathode | Clamping node / surge sink | Connected to protected line's high-side (e.g., 18 V rail); cathode band identifies this terminal physically. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Low-profile SMA package | Enables high-density PCB layouts and compatibility with standard SMT pick-and-place equipment. |
| Glass-passivated junction | Ensures stable VBR tolerance and long-term reliability under thermal cycling and humidity exposure. |
| MSL Level 1 rating | Allows unlimited floor life and single-reflow processing at 260 °C peak without moisture sensitivity concerns. |
| RoHS-compliant (E3 suffix) | Meets EU Directive 2011/65/EU and China RoHS II; no lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE. |
Applications
| Automotive Power Rail Protection | Industrial Sensor Interface Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V/24 V battery-fed ECUs from load-dump and jump-start transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed between power rail and chassis ground to clamp surges above 18 V. Use Value: Limits voltage seen by MCU power supply to ≤29.2 V during 500 W transients, preventing latch-up or damage. | Use Scenario: Shielding analog sensor outputs (e.g., pressure, temperature) from ESD and cable discharge events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: TVS connected across differential or single-ended signal pair to shunt fast transients to ground. Use Value: Sub-1 ns response and 29.2 V clamping preserve signal integrity and prevent ADC saturation or front-end op-amp damage. |
| Telecom DC Power Input Protection | Consumer USB Power Delivery Line Protection |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding PoE-powered switches and base stations against induced lightning surges on 48 V input rails. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary TVS on DC input stage, coordinated with upstream fuse and secondary filtering. Use Value: 500 W rating and 80 °C/W thermal resistance enable sustained surge handling without thermal runaway. | Use Scenario: Adding overvoltage resilience to USB-C PD 20 V input circuits in portable monitors or docking stations. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff-rated TVS on VBUS line to absorb plug-in surges and hot-swap transients. Use Value: 18 V VWM avoids leakage during normal 20 V operation while clamping excursions to 29.2 V. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMA5J18A-M3/5A | Halogen-free, RoHS-compliant variant; identical electrical specs and package. | No functional difference; selected when halogen-free material compliance is required per IPC-1752A. | Choose SMA5J18A-M3/5A for green manufacturing programs requiring halogen-free bill-of-materials. |
| SMA5J18AHE3_A/I | AEC-Q101 qualified version; same VWM, VBR, and PPPM, but validated for automotive temperature cycling and lifetime testing. | Required for under-hood or infotainment modules where automotive qualification is mandated. | Specify SMA5J18AHE3_A/I for automotive OEM designs needing AEC-Q101 evidence and traceable lot data. |
Compared with SMA5J18A-M3/5A, the SMA5J18A-E3/5A offers standard commercial-grade reliability with RoHS compliance but no halogen-free assurance; versus SMA5J18AHE3_A/I, it lacks automotive qualification testing and associated documentation, making it suitable for industrial and consumer applications where AEC-Q101 is not required.
Availability
SMA5J18A-E3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power rail protection, industrial sensor interface protection, and telecom DC power input protection requiring stable component supply and full traceability.
Supply support for SMA5J18A-E3/5A 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 high-reliability, high-power-density solutions.
The SMA5J series is engineered for high-energy transient suppression in space-constrained SMT applications, targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom systems where robustness against ISO 7637-2 and IEC 61000-4-5 threats is essential.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of the SMA5J18A-E3/5A under a 10/1000 µs surge?
The SMA5J18A-E3/5A clamps to a maximum of 29.2 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 17.1 A using the standardized 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured at TA = 25 °C on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events.
Is the SMA5J18A-E3/5A suitable for bidirectional transient protection?
No, the SMA5J18A-E3/5A is a unidirectional TVS diode, identified by its cathode band marking. For bidirectional protection, Vishay specifies the SMA5J18CA variant. Using SMA5J18A-E3/5A in AC-coupled or floating signal paths may result in unintended forward conduction during negative transients.
What does the "E3/5A" suffix indicate in SMA5J18A-E3/5A?
The "E3" denotes RoHS-compliant, commercial-grade construction with matte tin-plated leads; "5A" specifies packaging in 13-inch diameter plastic tape and reel containing 7500 units. This ordering code confirms compliance with JEDEC standards for solderability and whisker resistance (JESD201 Class 2).
Can the SMA5J18A-E3/5A replace SMA5J18A-E3/61 on the same PCB?
Yes - both share identical electrical characteristics, thermal behavior, and mechanical dimensions. The only difference is packaging: SMA5J18A-E3/61 uses a 7-inch reel (1800 units), while SMA5J18A-E3/5A uses a 13-inch reel (7500 units). No layout or soldering process changes are needed for substitution.
What is the maximum operating junction temperature for the SMA5J18A-E3/5A?
The SMA5J18A-E3/5A has a maximum junction temperature (TJmax) of +150 °C, as specified in the Vishay datasheet. This rating applies across the full storage and operating range of –55 °C to +150 °C and must be maintained via appropriate PCB copper area and ambient thermal management to avoid exceeding RθJA = 80 °C/W limits.
SMA5J18A-E3/5A 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:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 18V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 20V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 29.2V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 17.1A
- 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)
SMA5J18A-E3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMA5J18A-E3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMA5J18A-E3/5A 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 SMA5J18A-E3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMA5J18A-E3/5A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMA5J18A-E3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMA5J18A-E3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMA5J18A-E3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMA5J18A-E3/5A?
SMA5J18A-E3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMA5J18A-E3/5A 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 SMA5J18A-E3/5A?
For technical support, including SMA5J18A-E3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMA5J18A-E3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMA5J18A-E3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMA5J18A-E3/5A 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 SMA5J18A-E3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMA5J18A-E3/5A?
All SMA5J18A-E3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMA5J18A-E3/5A, 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 SMA5J18A-E3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMA5J18A-E3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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