Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA6F48A-M3/H

Overview

SMA6F48A-M3/H from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) in SlimSMA (DO-221AC) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on power and signal lines. It features 48 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 53.3–58.9 V breakdown voltage (VBR), 76.9 V max clamping voltage at 40 A (10/1000 μs), 600 W peak pulse power, and IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 ESD protection (15 kV air / 8 kV contact).

For engineers reviewing the SMA6F48A-M3/H datasheet, SMA6F48A-M3/H pinout, SMA6F48A-M3/H application, or SMA6F48A-M3/H equivalent, this device is selected for robust overvoltage protection in space-constrained industrial sensor interfaces, automotive body electronics, and telecom power rails where low-profile mounting and high surge immunity are critical.

Technical Context

This TVS diode operates as a unidirectional clamping device with Zener-based avalanche breakdown. Its electrical behavior is defined by precise VBR (53.3–58.9 V at 1 mA), low dynamic resistance (2.31 Ω), and temperature coefficient αT = 10.3 × 10⁻⁴/°C - enabling stable clamping across -55 °C to +175 °C junction range.

It delivers 600 W peak pulse power under 10/1000 μs waveform and 4 kW under 8/20 μs surge, with thermal resistance RθJA = 120–150 °C/W (FR4 PCB, 2 oz copper). The M3 suffix confirms halogen-free, RoHS-compliant, industrial-grade construction meeting JESD201 Class 2 whisker resistance and MSL Level 1 reflow profile (260 °C peak).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SlimSMA (DO-221AC) package: surface-mount, cathode-indicated by color band, matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD22-B102 solderability standards.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMA6F48A-M3/H, SMA6F48A-M3/6B offers identical protection with logistics optimization, while SMAJ48A-M3/5B trades 33 % peak power headroom for legacy footprint compatibility - making SMA6F48A-M3/H the optimal balance of surge margin, thermal performance, and modern low-profile packaging.

Availability

SMA6F48A-M3/H is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, telecom power inputs, and USB-C PD rail protection requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for SMA6F48A-M3/H 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 and application-specific performance.

The SMA6F series is engineered for high-energy transient suppression in space-constrained, high-reliability applications - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom systems where consistent clamping voltage and robust surge endurance are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum clamping voltage of the SMA6F48A-M3/H under a 10/1000 μs surge?

The SMA6F48A-M3/H has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 76.9 V at 40 A under the 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per the standard test condition specified in the Vishay datasheet (Document Number: 89458), and represents the peak voltage imposed on the protected circuit during that surge event. The SMA6F48A-M3/H maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range.

Is the SMA6F48A-M3/H suitable for automotive applications requiring AEC-Q200 qualification?

The SMA6F48A-M3/H is not AEC-Q200 qualified. While it operates from -55 °C to +175 °C and meets industrial reliability standards (M3 suffix, JESD201 Class 2), Vishay does not list AEC-Q200 stress testing for this part. For automotive-critical designs, engineers must perform system-level validation or select an explicitly AEC-Q200-qualified alternative. The SMA6F48A-M3/H remains appropriate for non-safety-critical automotive body electronics where customer-specific qualification is performed.

What does the "H" suffix indicate in SMA6F48A-M3/H?

Per Vishay's ordering information table, the "H" suffix in SMA6F48A-M3/H denotes the preferred package code for tape-and-reel delivery: 3500 units per 7-inch diameter reel. It does not affect electrical or thermal specifications - all SMA6F48A-M3/H units share identical VWM, VBR, VC, and package dimensions with other M3 variants like SMA6F48A-M3/6B. The "H" solely identifies the packaging configuration for logistics and assembly planning.

Can the SMA6F48A-M3/H be used in bidirectional protection circuits?

No, the SMA6F48A-M3/H is unidirectional only, as confirmed in the Vishay datasheet FEATURES section. It conducts in forward bias and clamps in reverse bias, but lacks symmetrical breakdown in both directions. For bidirectional transient suppression (e.g., AC lines or differential data buses), a dedicated bidirectional TVS such as SMBJ48CA-M3/5B must be used. Using SMA6F48A-M3/H in bidirectional configurations risks failure during negative-going transients.

What is the thermal resistance junction-to-ambient (RθJA) for SMA6F48A-M3/H on a standard FR4 PCB?

The SMA6F48A-M3/H has a typical RθJA of 120 °C/W and a maximum of 150 °C/W when mounted on an FR4 PCB with 2 oz copper and the standard footprint defined in the Vishay datasheet. This value is measured per JEDEC 51-2A and directly impacts power derating - for example, at 55 °C ambient, the device's power dissipation must be limited to 8 W to maintain TJ ≤ 175 °C. The SlimSMA package's low profile contributes to this thermal performance despite minimal copper area.