Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA5J20HE3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMA5J20HE3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMA5J20HE3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 20VWM 35.8VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMA5J20HE3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional transient voltage suppressor diode in DO-214AC (SMA) package, designed for high-energy surge protection with 500 W peak pulse power, 22.2 V to 24.5 V breakdown voltage (VBR), and 32.4 V clamping voltage (VC) at 15.4 A peak pulse current - used to safeguard MOSFETs and ICs in automotive power rails.
For engineers reviewing the SMA5J20HE3/5A datasheet, SMA5J20HE3/5A pinout, SMA5J20HE3/5A application, or SMA5J20HE3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include unidirectional polarity, AEC-Q101 qualification, 150 °C max junction temperature, RoHS compliance with whisker test class 2, and compatibility with automated SMT placement on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads.
Technical Context
This device operates as a silicon avalanche diode with glass-passivated junction, delivering fast response to transients (sub-nanosecond) and low incremental surge resistance. Its unidirectional configuration enables integration into DC power lines where reverse conduction must be blocked.
The SMA5J20HE3/5A is rated for 500 W peak pulse power under 10/1000 μs waveform, with thermal resistance of 80 °C/W (junction-to-ambient) and 25 °C/W (junction-to-lead), supporting reliable operation in automotive under-hood environments up to 150 °C junction temperature.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VBR (min/max) | 22.2 V / 24.5 V - defines minimum voltage at which avalanche conduction begins reliably under 1 mA test current |
| VWM | 20 V - maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before leakage exceeds 1 μA |
| VC @ IPPM | 32.4 V at 15.4 A - clamping voltage during 10/1000 μs surge, limiting stress on downstream components |
| PPPM | 500 W - peak pulse power handling capability, derated above 25 °C per published curve |
| IFSM | 40 A - single half-sine surge current rating (8.3 ms), critical for load-dump immunity |
| TJ max | 150 °C - maximum junction temperature, enabling use in engine control units and body electronics |
| Package | DO-214AC (SMA) - surface-mount outline with 5.28 mm length, 4.50 mm width, and 2.29 mm height |
Pinout & Package
DO-214AC (SMA) package: molded plastic case with matte tin-plated leads, cathode band marking on one end; compliant with UL 94 V-0, MSL level 1, and J-STD-002 solderability.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Forward conduction terminal | Connected to ground or low-side return path in unidirectional TVS configurations |
| Cathode (banded end) | Avalanche conduction terminal | Connected to protected line (e.g., 24 V rail); conducts surge current to ground when VIN exceeds VBR |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| AEC-Q101 qualification | Validated for automotive applications including powertrain and chassis systems requiring long-term reliability under thermal cycling and vibration |
| Glass-passivated junction | Ensures stable VBR tolerance and low leakage (<1 μA at VWM) across temperature and lifetime |
| Low incremental surge resistance | Minimizes VC overshoot during fast transients, improving protection margin for sensitive 24 V logic interfaces |
| JESD 201 class 2 whisker resistance | Prevents tin whisker growth under high humidity and temperature bias, critical for long-life automotive modules |
Applications
| Automotive Load-Dump Protection | Industrial PLC I/O Protection |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Suppresses 120 V/100 ms load-dump transients on 24 V battery-fed ECUs in commercial vehicles. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed between power rail and ground, clamping surges before they reach DC-DC converters and microcontrollers. Use Value: Withstands 40 A IFSM and clamps to ≤32.4 V, preserving 3.3 V/5 V logic supply integrity without crowbar action. | Use Scenario: Protects analog input channels (4–20 mA, 0–10 V) in programmable logic controllers exposed to field wiring surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Front-end transient suppressor on signal lines, coordinated with series impedance and filtering to meet IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3. Use Value: 500 W PPPM and 32.4 V VC enable robust protection without adding capacitance that would degrade 100 kHz signal bandwidth. |
| Telecom Power Supply Input | Motor Drive Gate Driver Protection |
Use Scenario: Shields primary-side DC bus inputs of telecom rectifiers against lightning-induced surges on -48 V distribution lines. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary-level unidirectional clamp on input capacitor rail, absorbing energy before it reaches active front-end converters. Use Value: 150 °C TJ max and 80 °C/W RθJA allow operation in sealed enclosures with minimal airflow, maintaining derating margin over life. | Use Scenario: Guards high-side gate driver ICs in 3-phase inverters against Miller-induced voltage spikes during IGBT switching. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Localized TVS across gate-source terminals, triggered by dV/dt exceeding VBR, diverting transient current away from driver output stage. Use Value: Fast response and low VC limit gate overvoltage to <35 V, preventing unintended IGBT turn-on and shoot-through failure. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Littelfuse SMAJ20A | Same DO-214AC package, 22.2–24.5 V VBR, but rated for 400 W PPPM and lacks AEC-Q101 qualification | Not qualified for automotive powertrain; suitable for industrial/commercial power supplies only | Select when AEC-Q101 is not required and lower cost is prioritized over 500 W headroom |
| ON Semiconductor 1.5SMC20A | DO-214AB (SMC) package, larger footprint (7.11 × 6.22 mm), same 22.2–24.5 V VBR, 500 W rating, no AEC-Q101 | Requires PCB layout change; higher thermal mass improves sustained surge handling but reduces board density | Choose when higher thermal inertia is needed for repetitive surge events and space permits larger package |
Compared with SMA5J20HE3/5A, the Littelfuse SMAJ20A offers identical electrical specs but reduced surge rating and no automotive qualification, while the ON Semi 1.5SMC20A provides equal power handling in a physically larger package without AEC-Q101 - making SMA5J20HE3/5A the only option combining 500 W, AEC-Q101, and compact DO-214AC for automotive-grade designs.
Availability
SMA5J20HE3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive ECU design, industrial PLC I/O protection, and telecom power supply input stages requiring stable component supply, full traceability, and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for SMA5J20HE3/5A 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, and transient protection devices with emphasis on reliability, power density, and automotive-grade qualification.
The SMA5Jxx family is engineered specifically for high-power-density transient suppression in harsh environments, targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where AEC-Q101 compliance and precise clamping performance are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of the SMA5J20HE3/5A under a 10/1000 μs surge?
The SMA5J20HE3/5A clamps to a maximum of 32.4 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 15.4 A under the standard 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured at TA = 25 °C with devices mounted on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads per JEDEC guidelines. The SMA5J20HE3/5A maintains this clamping performance across its operational temperature range, ensuring consistent protection for downstream 24 V logic circuits.
Is the SMA5J20HE3/5A qualified for automotive applications?
Yes, the SMA5J20HE3/5A is explicitly AEC-Q101 qualified, as confirmed by Vishay's documentation and marked by the "HE3" suffix. It undergoes stress testing for temperature cycling, humidity bias, mechanical shock, and high-temperature operating life - validating its suitability for automotive powertrain, body control, and infotainment modules. The SMA5J20HE3/5A meets these requirements while retaining full RoHS compliance and JESD 201 class 2 whisker resistance.
What does the "HE3" suffix indicate in SMA5J20HE3/5A?
The "HE3" suffix in SMA5J20HE3/5A denotes two key attributes: RoHS compliance and AEC-Q101 qualification. The "H" signifies AEC-Q101 qualification, while "E3" indicates lead-free, RoHS-compliant construction with JESD 201 class 2 whisker resistance. This distinguishes it from the "E3"-only variant (e.g., SMA5J20A-E3/5A), which is RoHS-compliant but not automotive-qualified. The SMA5J20HE3/5A is therefore designated for mission-critical automotive deployments.
What is the maximum junction temperature rating for the SMA5J20HE3/5A?
The SMA5J20HE3/5A has a maximum junction temperature (TJ) rating of +150 °C, as specified in Vishay's datasheet. This allows reliable operation in under-hood automotive environments and enclosed industrial enclosures. Thermal derating curves show usable power dissipation down to ~300 W at 100 °C ambient, and the device's RθJA of 80 °C/W supports thermal design with standard PCB copper area. The SMA5J20HE3/5A maintains electrical specifications within tolerance across this full temperature range.
How does the SMA5J20HE3/5A differ from bi-directional variants like SMA5J20CA?
The SMA5J20HE3/5A is unidirectional, meaning it blocks reverse current and conducts only when anode-to-cathode voltage exceeds VBR; SMA5J20CA is bi-directional, conducting symmetrically in both polarities. The SMA5J20HE3/5A features a cathode band marking and is suited for DC power line protection, whereas SMA5J20CA is used in AC or floating signal lines. Their VBR, VC, and PPPM values differ due to internal structure - SMA5J20HE3/5A has VBR = 22.2–24.5 V, while SMA5J20CA has higher VBR min/max.
SMA5J20HE3/5A Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 20V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 22.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 35.8V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 14A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 500W
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- -
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q101
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-214AC (SMA)
SMA5J20HE3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMA5J20HE3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMA5J20HE3/5A 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 SMA5J20HE3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMA5J20HE3/5A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMA5J20HE3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMA5J20HE3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMA5J20HE3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMA5J20HE3/5A?
SMA5J20HE3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMA5J20HE3/5A 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 SMA5J20HE3/5A?
For technical support, including SMA5J20HE3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMA5J20HE3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMA5J20HE3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMA5J20HE3/5A 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 SMA5J20HE3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMA5J20HE3/5A?
All SMA5J20HE3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMA5J20HE3/5A, 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 SMA5J20HE3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMA5J20HE3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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