Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA5J30A-M3/5A

Overview

SMA5J30A-M3/5A 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 a 30 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 33.3–36.8 V breakdown voltage (V_BR), 48.4 V clamping voltage (V_C) at 10.3 A peak pulse current, and 500 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 µs waveform - used to protect MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor interfaces in automotive and industrial power supplies.

For engineers reviewing the SMA5J30A-M3/5A datasheet, SMA5J30A-M3/5A pinout, SMA5J30A-M3/5A application, or SMA5J30A-M3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping performance under 10.3 A surge, thermal resistance (R_θJA = 80 °C/W), halogen-free RoHS compliance (M3 suffix), and compatibility with automated SMT placement on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads.

Technical Context

This TVS diode operates as a unidirectional avalanche clamp, activated when reverse voltage exceeds its 33.3 V minimum breakdown threshold. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable leakage (<1.0 µA at 30 V) and fast response time (<1 ns), enabling protection against ESD, inductive switching transients, and lightning-induced surges.

The device is rated for 150 °C maximum junction temperature and derates linearly above 25 °C ambient per Figure 2. With 25 °C/W junction-to-lead thermal resistance and MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity, it supports reflow soldering at peak 260 °C without preconditioning.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, low-profile plastic case with matte tin-plated leads. Cathode indicated by band; polarity-critical for unidirectional operation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMA5J30A-E3/5A, the M3 version adds halogen-free compliance without sacrificing clamping or thermal performance; versus SMCJ30A-M3, SMA5J30A-M3/5A trades 3× lower surge rating for 60 % smaller board area and compatible SMA footprint.

Availability

SMA5J30A-M3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power rail protection, industrial sensor interface protection, and consumer DC power adapter output requiring stable component supply and halogen-free compliance.

Supply support for SMA5J30A-M3/5A 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, TVS devices, and optoelectronics with emphasis on reliability and application-specific performance.

The SMA5J series is engineered for high-power-density transient suppression in space-constrained SMT designs, targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where rapid clamping and robust surge handling are critical.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of the SMA5J30A-M3/5A under a 10/1000 µs surge?

The SMA5J30A-M3/5A clamps to a maximum of 48.4 V when subjected to its rated 10.3 A peak pulse current (I_PPM) under a 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured per Figure 1 in the Vishay datasheet 88875 and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events. The SMA5J30A-M3/5A maintains this clamping performance across its operational temperature range with minimal derating up to 125 °C.

Is the SMA5J30A-M3/5A suitable for automotive applications?

The SMA5J30A-M3/5A itself is not AEC-Q101 qualified; that rating applies only to variants with HE3 or HM3 suffixes (e.g., SMA5J30AHM3_A/I). However, the SMA5J30A-M3/5A shares identical electrical characteristics and construction, making it suitable for non-safety-critical automotive subsystems like infotainment power rails or body control module peripherals where formal qualification is not mandated.

What does the "M3/5A" suffix indicate in SMA5J30A-M3/5A?

The "M3" suffix denotes halogen-free, RoHS-compliant construction meeting JEDEC JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance, while "/5A" specifies packaging in 13-inch diameter tape-and-reel format with 7500 units per reel. This distinguishes SMA5J30A-M3/5A from /61 (7-inch reel, 1800 units) and E3-suffix variants, confirming its suitability for high-volume automated assembly with strict environmental compliance.

How does the thermal performance of SMA5J30A-M3/5A compare to larger package alternatives?

The SMA5J30A-M3/5A has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (R_θJA) of 80 °C/W when mounted on 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads. In contrast, the SMCJ30A-M3 in DO-214AB achieves 35 °C/W under identical conditions. Thus, the SMA5J30A-M3/5A requires more careful thermal layout but delivers equivalent protection in 60 % less board area - a deliberate trade-off for space-constrained designs where 500 W surge rating suffices.

Can SMA5J30A-M3/5A be used in bidirectional configurations?

No - SMA5J30A-M3/5A is strictly unidirectional, as confirmed by its part number (no "CA" suffix) and cathode band marking. Bidirectional operation requires the CA-suffixed variant (e.g., SMA5J30CA-M3/5A), which exhibits symmetrical clamping in both polarities. Using SMA5J30A-M3/5A in reverse-biased AC or floating signal paths risks permanent failure due to forward conduction during negative half-cycles.