Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA5J20CAHM3/I
- Part No.:
- SMA5J20CAHM3/I
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMA5J20CAHM3/I.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 20VWM 32.4VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMA5J20CAHM3/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 power and signal lines. It features 20 V standoff voltage (VWM), 32.4 V clamping voltage (VC) at 15.4 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 SMA5J20CAHM3/I datasheet, SMA5J20CAHM3/I pinout, SMA5J20CAHM3/I application, or SMA5J20CAHM3/I equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping capability, AEC-Q101 qualification status, halogen-free RoHS compliance, and thermal resistance (RθJA = 80 °C/W) under PCB pad-limited dissipation conditions.
Technical Context
This device operates as a voltage-clamped crowbar during transients, with symmetrical breakdown behavior in both polarities due to its bidirectional construction. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable leakage (<1.0 μA at VWM) and fast response time (<1.0 ns), while the low incremental surge resistance enables effective energy diversion without thermal runaway.
Rated for -55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature, it supports automotive-grade reliability per AEC-Q101 when ordered with HM3 suffix. The SMA package's 25 °C/W junction-to-lead thermal resistance allows robust surge handling when mounted on minimum recommended copper pads (0.2" × 0.2").
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 20 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins; defines safe operating margin for 24 V nominal systems. |
| VBR min/max | 22.2 V / 24.5 V - Breakdown occurs within this range at 1 mA test current; ensures predictable turn-on across production lot. |
| VC @ IPPM | 32.4 V - Clamped voltage at 15.4 A peak pulse current; determines maximum stress imposed on protected downstream ICs. |
| PPPM | 500 W - Peak pulse power rating (10/1000 μs waveform); defines single-event surge energy absorption capacity. |
| IPPM | 15.4 A - Peak pulse current corresponding to VC; used with PCB trace impedance to estimate let-through energy. |
| RθJA | 80 °C/W - Junction-to-ambient thermal resistance on standard FR-4; limits sustained power dissipation to ~0.625 W at 25 °C ambient. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, bidirectional - no polarity marking; symmetrical terminals.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode/Cathode (both ends) | Surge current path | Identical bidirectional conduction; either terminal serves as input/output depending on transient polarity - no orientation required during placement. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualified (HM3 suffix) | Validated for automotive electronics per stress-test requirements including HTOL, TC, UHAST - enables use in engine control, ADAS, and body modules without requalification. |
| Halogen-free & RoHS-compliant | Meets JEDEC J-STD-609 Category 1a; eliminates brominated flame retardants and lead, supporting green manufacturing and end-of-life compliance. |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes VC overshoot during fast-rising transients (e.g., ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/5a), improving protection margin for 3.3 V/5 V logic interfaces. |
| MSL Level 1 (260 °C peak) | Compatible with standard lead-free reflow profiles without moisture sensitivity concerns - eliminates baking requirement pre-assembly. |
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 inductive switching spikes in 12 V/24 V vehicle subsystems. IC Role / Device Role: Bidirectional clamping TVS placed at connector entry point, shunting surge energy to ground before reaching signal conditioning circuitry. Use Value: Withstands 500 W surges while limiting clamped voltage to 32.4 V, preserving integrity of 36 V-rated op-amps and microcontroller GPIOs. |
Use Scenario: Safeguarding digital input channels on programmable logic controllers exposed to relay coil back-EMF and field wiring transients in factory automation environments. IC Role / Device Role: Primary overvoltage clamp on 24 V DC input lines, coordinated with series impedance to meet IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 (2 kV/1 kA) immunity. Use Value: Delivers consistent 32.4 V clamping at 15.4 A, enabling reliable operation of optocoupler-based isolation stages without derating. |
| Telecom Power Rail Protection | Consumer USB Port ESD/Surge |
Use Scenario: Secondary surge suppression on 48 V PoE-powered equipment front-end, downstream of primary MOV-based protection. IC Role / Device Role: Fast-response secondary clamp absorbing residual energy after upstream coarse protection, preventing latch-up in DC-DC controllers. Use Value: 1 ns response time and low capacitance (<100 pF at 0 V) avoid signal integrity degradation on high-speed management buses (e.g., SMBus). |
Use Scenario: Board-level protection for USB 2.0 data lines and VBUS against human-body-model ESD and cable-induced surges in portable audio/video devices. IC Role / Device Role: Bidirectional TVS bridging D+/D− or VBUS/GND, leveraging symmetry to handle ± polarity events without directional biasing. Use Value: 20 V VWM permits full USB 2.0 signaling swing (0–3.6 V) while clamping 8 kV ESD events to <32.4 V - below damage threshold of most PHY ICs. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMA5J20CAHE3/I | Same electrical specs; RoHS-compliant but not halogen-free; AEC-Q101 qualified; E3 suffix instead of HM3. | Acceptable where halogen-free material is not mandated by OEM spec or regional regulation (e.g., EU ELV exemption). | Select HE3 if cost sensitivity outweighs halogen-free requirement; verify compliance alignment with final BOM policy. |
| SMA6J20CA-M3/5A | 600 W PPPM, same VWM/VC, larger SMA package variant (DO-214AC with enhanced thermal pad); M3 suffix (halogen-free, RoHS). | Preferred for higher-reliability industrial designs requiring >500 W surge margin or extended thermal cycling life. | Choose SMA6J20CA-M3/5A when system-level testing reveals marginal margin with 500 W rating or when board layout allows larger footprint. |
Compared with SMA5J20CAHE3/I, the SMA5J20CAHM3/I adds halogen-free construction without sacrificing AEC-Q101 qualification or electrical performance; versus SMA6J20CA-M3/5A, it trades 100 W peak power headroom for smaller footprint and lower assembly cost in space-constrained automotive modules.
Availability
SMA5J20CAHM3/I is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor interfaces, industrial PLC I/O protection, and telecom power rail applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and certified AEC-Q101 compliance.
Supply support for SMA5J20CAHM3/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, MOSFETs, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, power density, and automotive qualification.
The SMA5J family delivers high-power-density TVS solutions optimized for AEC-Q101-compliant automotive electronics and industrial systems demanding robust, surface-mount surge protection with minimal PCB area.
FAQ
What does the "HM3" suffix indicate in SMA5J20CAHM3/I?
The HM3 suffix in SMA5J20CAHM3/I denotes halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction with AEC-Q101 qualification. It confirms compliance with JEDEC J-STD-609 Category 1a for halogen content and successful completion of automotive stress tests including high-temperature operating life and temperature cycling - critical for under-hood and ADAS applications.
Is SMA5J20CAHM3/I unidirectional or bidirectional?
SMA5J20CAHM3/I is a bidirectional TVS diode, as indicated by the "CA" suffix. Its symmetrical breakdown and clamping behavior in both polarities eliminate need for orientation during placement and enable protection of AC-coupled or differential signal lines such as CAN, RS-485, or USB D+/D− without external biasing networks.
What is the maximum clamping voltage of SMA5J20CAHM3/I and at what current is it specified?
The maximum clamping voltage of SMA5J20CAHM3/I is 32.4 V, measured at a peak pulse current (IPPM) of 15.4 A using a 10/1000 μs waveform. This value represents worst-case voltage seen by protected circuitry during standardized surge events and is used to verify compatibility with downstream IC absolute maximum ratings.
Does SMA5J20CAHM3/I require a heatsink for 500 W surge handling?
No, SMA5J20CAHM3/I does not require an external heatsink for single-event 500 W surge handling. Its thermal design relies on short-duration pulse dissipation into PCB copper; however, sustained power must remain below ~0.625 W (based on RθJA = 80 °C/W) - verified using the manufacturer's derating curve (Fig. 2) for repeated surge conditions.
How does SMA5J20CAHM3/I differ from SMA5J20A (unidirectional version)?
SMA5J20CAHM3/I differs from SMA5J20A by being bidirectional (CA vs. A suffix), lacking cathode band marking, and exhibiting identical VBR, VC, and PPPM in both directions. SMA5J20A is unidirectional with defined cathode polarity and supports forward surge current (IFSM = 40 A), whereas SMA5J20CAHM3/I has no IFSM rating and is unsuitable for DC-biased rectification roles.
SMA5J20CAHM3/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):
- 20V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 22.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 32.4V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 15.4A
- 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)
SMA5J20CAHM3/I FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMA5J20CAHM3/I through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMA5J20CAHM3/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 SMA5J20CAHM3/I reliable?
The price and inventory of SMA5J20CAHM3/I are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMA5J20CAHM3/I is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMA5J20CAHM3/I?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMA5J20CAHM3/I transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMA5J20CAHM3/I?
SMA5J20CAHM3/I orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMA5J20CAHM3/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 SMA5J20CAHM3/I?
For technical support, including SMA5J20CAHM3/I datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMA5J20CAHM3/I requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMA5J20CAHM3/I is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMA5J20CAHM3/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 SMA5J20CAHM3/I meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMA5J20CAHM3/I?
All SMA5J20CAHM3/I units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMA5J20CAHM3/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 SMA5J20CAHM3/I part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMA5J20CAHM3/I:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
SMA5J20CAHM3/I Tags

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