Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA6F18A-M3/6A
- Part No.:
- SMA6F18A-M3/6A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-221AC, SMA Flat Leads
- Datasheet:
-
SMA6F18A-M3/6A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 18VWM 33.2VC DO221AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMA6F18A-M3/6A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in SlimSMA (DO-221AC) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on power and signal lines. It features 18 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 20.0–22.1 V breakdown voltage (VBR), 28.3 V maximum clamping voltage at 10/1000 μs surge, 600 W peak pulse power, and ESD immunity per IEC 61000-4-2 level 4 (15 kV air / 8 kV contact). It protects MOSFETs and ICs in industrial sensor interfaces.
For engineers reviewing the SMA6F18A-M3/6A datasheet, SMA6F18A-M3/6A pinout, SMA6F18A-M3/6A application, or SMA6F18A-M3/6A equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping voltage at rated IPP, thermal resistance (RθJA = 120–150 °C/W), unidirectional polarity, MSL level 1 rating, and compatibility with automated SMT placement on FR4 PCBs with 2 oz. copper.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: under normal bias it presents high impedance (<0.2 μA leakage at 18 V), but triggers into low-impedance conduction when transient voltage exceeds VBR (20.0–22.1 V at 1 mA). Its dynamic resistance (RD = 0.292 Ω) ensures predictable clamping behavior across surge currents up to 102 A (10/1000 μs).
The device uses silicon avalanche junction technology optimized for fast response (<1 ns), housed in a halogen-free, RoHS-compliant SlimSMA package with matte tin-plated leads. It meets JESD201 class 2 whisker resistance and is rated for operating junction temperatures from –55 °C to +175 °C.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 18 V - Maximum continuous reverse working voltage before leakage exceeds 0.2 μA |
| VBR min/max | 20.0 V / 22.1 V at 1 mA - Ensures reliable turn-on within defined tolerance band |
| VC @ IPP | 28.3 V at 102 A (10/1000 μs) - Clamping voltage limiting downstream component stress |
| PPPM | 600 W (10/1000 μs) - Surge energy handling capability on standard FR4 PCB |
| ESD Rating | IEC 61000-4-2 level 4: 15 kV air / 8 kV contact - Validated electrostatic discharge immunity |
| RθJA | 120–150 °C/W - Thermal resistance defining derating curve for ambient temperature operation |
| Package | SlimSMA (DO-221AC) - Low-profile (0.95 mm height), MSL level 1, compatible with 7" tape-and-reel (3500 pcs) |
Pinout & Package
SlimSMA (DO-221AC) is a two-terminal surface-mount package with cathode indicated by a color band. The device has no internal circuitry beyond the avalanche junction; terminals are non-polarized in layout but functionally asymmetric due to unidirectional conduction.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Low-side reference terminal | Connected to ground or lower potential rail; defines current return path during clamping |
| Cathode | High-side transient input terminal | Connected to protected line; voltage referenced to anode during surge event |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Clamping performance | 28.3 V max at 102 A (10/1000 μs) enables robust protection of 24 V systems without overvoltage damage |
| ESD hardening | IEC 61000-4-2 level 4 compliance ensures reliability in handheld and field-deployed sensor units |
| Automated assembly support | MSL level 1 rating and matte tin plating guarantee solderability and reflow compatibility without preconditioning |
| Thermal robustness | 175 °C max junction temperature and 120–150 °C/W RθJA allow sustained operation in enclosed industrial enclosures |
| Environmental compliance | Halogen-free, RoHS-compliant, and JESD201 class 2 whisker-resistant construction meets industrial-grade sourcing requirements |
Applications
| Industrial Sensor Protection | Automotive Body Control Module |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protecting analog output lines (e.g., 4–20 mA current loops) in factory-floor pressure/temperature sensors exposed to relay switching noise. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS placed between signal line and ground to clamp inductive kickback transients below 30 V. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or gate oxide damage in precision op-amps and ADC front-ends by limiting clamping voltage to 28.3 V at 102 A surge. | Use Scenario: Safeguarding LIN bus transceivers and microcontroller I/O pins in door module ECUs subjected to load dump and ESD events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff-rated TVS on LIN data line (VWM = 18 V) to suppress 100 V/50 ms load dump spikes without false triggering. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity during 8/20 μs surges up to 4 kW while meeting automotive ESD immunity requirements (8 kV contact). |
| Power Supply Input Protection | Consumer USB Port Protection |
Use Scenario: Secondary-level surge suppression on 24 V DC input rails feeding industrial PLC power supplies. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt TVS connected across input capacitor to absorb repetitive 600 W transients induced by nearby motor drives. Use Value: Enables >100,000 surge cycles with <5 % VBR drift due to stable avalanche junction and low RD (0.292 Ω). | Use Scenario: Reverse-polarity and ESD protection on VBUS line of USB-C receptacles in smart home hubs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS with 18 V VWM prevents false triggering during 5 V nominal operation while clamping ESD to <28.3 V. Use Value: Achieves 15 kV air-gap ESD immunity without requiring additional series impedance or filtering components. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMA6F18A-M3/H | Same electrical specs; differs only in packaging - uses 7" tape with code "H" instead of "6A" | Identical functional use; intended for same SlimSMA footprint and assembly process | Select SMA6F18A-M3/H only if ordering 3500-unit reels with alternate tape coding; no design or performance impact |
| SMA6F20A-M3/6A | Higher VWM (20 V), VBR (22.2–24.5 V), and VC (31.4 V); same package and surge rating | Better suited for 24 V nominal systems where tighter margin above operating voltage is required | Choose SMA6F20A-M3/6A when protecting circuits with higher steady-state voltage headroom; not a drop-in replacement for 18 V threshold designs |
Compared with SMA6F18A-M3/6A, SMA6F18A-M3/H offers identical protection performance with alternate reel coding, while SMA6F20A-M3/6A raises the clamping threshold by ~2 V - making it suitable for 24 V systems but requiring validation of system-level overvoltage margins.
Availability
SMA6F18A-M3/6A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor interfaces, automotive body electronics, and 24 V power supply input protection requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle continuity, and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for SMA6F18A-M3/6A 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 industrial-grade qualification.
The SMA6FxxA series is part of Vishay's TRANSZORB® TVS platform, engineered specifically for high-energy transient suppression in space-constrained, high-reliability applications including factory automation and vehicle subsystems.
FAQ
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the SMA6F18A-M3/6A under a 10/1000 μs surge?
The SMA6F18A-M3/6A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 28.3 V when subjected to a 10/1000 μs waveform at its rated peak pulse current of 102 A. This value is measured per the test conditions specified in Vishay document 89458 and reflects worst-case clamping performance at TA = 25 °C. Designers must verify system-level voltage margins against this clamping limit to ensure downstream ICs remain within absolute maximum ratings.
Is the SMA6F18A-M3/6A suitable for bidirectional transient protection?
No, the SMA6F18A-M3/6A is a unidirectional TVS diode and is not suitable for bidirectional protection. Its electrical characteristics - including VBR specification, polarity marking (cathode band), and absence of symmetrical breakdown behavior - confirm single-quadrant operation. For AC or dual-polarity signal lines, a dedicated bidirectional device such as SMA6F18CA must be selected instead of SMA6F18A-M3/6A.
What is the thermal resistance junction-to-ambient (RθJA) for the SMA6F18A-M3/6A?
The SMA6F18A-M3/6A has a typical thermal resistance junction-to-ambient (RθJA) of 120 °C/W and a maximum of 150 °C/W when mounted on a standard FR4 PCB with 2 oz. copper. This value is defined per JEDEC 51-2A and directly informs derating curves in the datasheet. Engineers must apply this RθJA to calculate allowable power dissipation at elevated ambient temperatures when using SMA6F18A-M3/6A in thermally constrained layouts.
Does the SMA6F18A-M3/6A meet automotive qualification standards?
The SMA6F18A-M3/6A is not AEC-Q200 qualified, though it is widely used in automotive body electronics for non-safety-critical functions. It meets IEC 61000-4-2 level 4 ESD immunity and operates across –55 °C to +175 °C junction temperature, but lacks formal automotive stress testing documentation. For AEC-Q200-compliant designs, engineers should verify qualification status directly with Vishay or select an explicitly qualified variant before committing SMA6F18A-M3/6A to automotive production.
What does the "M3/6A" suffix indicate in SMA6F18A-M3/6A?
The "M3/6A" suffix in SMA6F18A-M3/6A denotes Vishay's packaging and environmental compliance coding: "M3" specifies halogen-free, RoHS-compliant, industrial-grade construction with JESD201 class 2 whisker resistance, while "6A" identifies the 7-inch tape-and-reel packaging format containing 3500 units. This suffix does not affect electrical parameters - SMA6F18A-M3/6A shares identical VWM, VBR, and VC specs with other SMA6F18A variants like SMA6F18A-M3/H.
SMA6F18A-M3/6A Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-221AC, SMA Flat Leads
- 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:
- 33.2V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 102A (8/20µs)
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 4000W (4kW)
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 175°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-221AC (SlimSMA)
SMA6F18A-M3/6A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMA6F18A-M3/6A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMA6F18A-M3/6A 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 SMA6F18A-M3/6A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMA6F18A-M3/6A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMA6F18A-M3/6A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMA6F18A-M3/6A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMA6F18A-M3/6A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMA6F18A-M3/6A?
SMA6F18A-M3/6A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMA6F18A-M3/6A 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 SMA6F18A-M3/6A?
For technical support, including SMA6F18A-M3/6A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMA6F18A-M3/6A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMA6F18A-M3/6A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMA6F18A-M3/6A 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 SMA6F18A-M3/6A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMA6F18A-M3/6A?
All SMA6F18A-M3/6A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMA6F18A-M3/6A, 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 SMA6F18A-M3/6A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMA6F18A-M3/6A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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