Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMA6J20A-E3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMA6J20A-E3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMA6J20A-E3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 20VWM 36.8VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMA6J20A-E3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in SMA (DO-214AC) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on power and signal lines. It features a 20 V stand-off voltage (VWM), 22.2–24.5 V breakdown voltage (VBR at IT = 1 mA), 31.4 V maximum clamping voltage at 19.1 A (10/1000 μs), 600 W peak pulse power rating, and operates from –55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature.
For engineers reviewing the SMA6J20A-E3/5A datasheet, SMA6J20A-E3/5A pinout, SMA6J20A-E3/5A application, or SMA6J20A-E3/5A equivalent, key selection criteria include clamping performance under 10/1000 μs surges, thermal resistance (RθJA = 120 °C/W), unidirectional polarity, RoHS-compliant matte tin plating, and compatibility with automated SMT placement on PCBs with 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads.
Technical Context
This TVS diode operates as a voltage-clamped shunt protector: when reverse voltage exceeds VBR, it avalanches to divert transient current away from downstream ICs or MOSFETs. Its low dynamic resistance (RD = 0.361 Ω) ensures tight clamping control, and its MSL Level 1 rating supports lead-free reflow up to 260 °C.
The device is optimized for single-pulse transient suppression per IEC 61000-4-5 (8/20 μs waveform, 4000 W PPPM) and IEC 61000-4-4 (10/1000 μs waveform, 600 W PPPM). Its cathode-band polarity marking and DO-214AC mechanical outline ensure consistent orientation during automated assembly.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 20 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before significant leakage; defines safe DC/AC working range. |
| VBR (min/max) | 22.2 V / 24.5 V at IT = 1 mA - Breakdown onset range; determines minimum overvoltage threshold for clamping activation. |
| VC at IPP | 31.4 V at 19.1 A (10/1000 μs) - Clamped voltage seen by protected circuit during standard surge; must stay below downstream IC's absolute max rating. |
| PPPM (10/1000 μs) | 600 W - Peak transient energy handling capability under long-duration surges; sets protection margin for inductive switching events. |
| IFSM | 50 A - Non-repetitive forward surge current rating; validates robustness against accidental reverse-bias misapplication or fault currents. |
| TJ max. | +150 °C - Maximum junction temperature; enables operation in high-ambient industrial or automotive under-hood environments. |
| RθJA | 120 °C/W - Thermal resistance from junction to ambient on standard PCB pad layout; informs derating requirements above TA = 25 °C. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), surface-mount, unidirectional polarity, cathode indicated by color band. Matte tin-plated leads meet J-STD-002 solderability and JESD 22-B102 reliability standards.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode | Current entry terminal during forward conduction or transient clamping | Connected to lower-potential side of protected line (e.g., GND or return path); forms low-impedance shunt path during avalanche. |
| Cathode | Current exit terminal during clamping; marked with band | Connected to higher-potential side (e.g., VCC or signal line); defines unidirectional clamping direction and PCB orientation reference. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Clamping performance | VC = 31.4 V @ 19.1 A (10/1000 μs) enables reliable protection of 3.3 V, 5 V, and 24 V logic/sensor interfaces without overstressing downstream components. |
| Automated assembly support | MSL Level 1 rating and 260 °C peak reflow tolerance ensure compatibility with standard lead-free SMT processes without popcorn or delamination risk. |
| Thermal robustness | RθJA = 120 °C/W and TJ max. = +150 °C allow sustained operation in enclosed industrial enclosures or near heat-generating components. |
| Reliability assurance | JESD 201 Class 2 whisker testing and UL 94 V-0 molding compound meet IPC-A-610 and IEC 60747-5-5 requirements for long-life deployments. |
Applications
| Industrial Motor Drives | Automotive Body Control Modules |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Protection of gate drivers and microcontroller I/O pins against inductive kickback from relay coils and solenoid loads. IC Role / Device Role: Unidirectional shunt clamp placed across relay coil or between MCU GPIO and load switch. Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤31.4 V, preventing latch-up or oxide damage in 5 V-tolerant MCUs and 20 V-rated MOSFET gate oxides. |
Use Scenario: Surge suppression on LIN bus lines and sensor supply rails exposed to load dump and jump-start conditions. IC Role / Device Role: Standoff-rated TVS on 12 V supply input and bidirectional signal lines (with external series resistor). Use Value: Withstands 4000 W (8/20 μs) surges while maintaining 20 V VWM, enabling stable operation during ISO 7637-2 Pulse 1/2a/5a events. |
| Consumer Power Adapters | Telecom Base Station Interfaces |
Use Scenario: Secondary-side overvoltage protection in AC/DC adapters and USB PD power bricks against transformer flyback spikes. IC Role / Device Role: Clamp placed across output capacitor or post-regulator rail to limit transient overshoot. Use Value: 600 W (10/1000 μs) rating absorbs energy from slow-rising transformer leakage spikes without thermal runaway. |
Use Scenario: ESD and lightning-induced surge protection on RS-485, Ethernet PHY, and antenna bias lines in outdoor telecom equipment. IC Role / Device Role: First-line defense before signal conditioning ICs; used with common-mode chokes and filtering capacitors. Use Value: Low clamping voltage (31.4 V) preserves integrity of 3.3 V or 5 V PHY receivers while surviving repeated 8/20 μs surges per IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMA6J20CA-E3/5A | Bidirectional variant with symmetric ±20 V VWM and matched clamping in both polarities. | Required for AC-coupled or floating signal lines where reverse polarity transients occur (e.g., audio, differential data buses). | Select SMA6J20CA-E3/5A only if bidirectional clamping is mandated; SMA6J20A-E3/5A offers lower capacitance and tighter unidirectional control. |
| SMCJ20A-E3/57T | Higher-power SMC (DO-214AB) package: 1500 W (10/1000 μs), RθJA = 35 °C/W, same VWM/VBR/VC specs. | Suitable for higher-energy transients (e.g., 48 V industrial buses) where board space allows larger footprint and better thermal dissipation. | Choose SMCJ20A-E3/57T when surge energy exceeds 600 W or ambient temperatures exceed 85 °C with limited airflow. |
Compared with SMA6J20CA-E3/5A and SMCJ20A-E3/57T, the SMA6J20A-E3/5A delivers optimal balance of compact size, automated placement compatibility, and precise unidirectional clamping for cost-sensitive 20 V DC rail protection-without sacrificing reliability or JEDEC-compliant thermal performance.
Availability
SMA6J20A-E3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, automotive body control modules, and consumer power adapters requiring stable component supply, full traceability, and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for SMA6J20A-E3/5A 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, MOSFETs, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and application-specific optimization.
The SMA6JxxA series is part of Vishay's Transient Voltage Suppressor family, engineered for robust, low-profile surge protection in space-constrained SMT designs across automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics.
FAQ
What is the maximum clamping voltage of the SMA6J20A-E3/5A under a 10/1000 μs surge?
The SMA6J20A-E3/5A has a maximum clamping voltage (VC) of 31.4 V when subjected to a 10/1000 μs surge current of 19.1 A. This value is measured per the standard test condition defined in the Vishay datasheet (Document Number: 89460), and reflects the peak voltage seen across the device during transient suppression-critical for ensuring protected ICs remain within their absolute maximum ratings.
Is the SMA6J20A-E3/5A RoHS-compliant and halogen-free?
The SMA6J20A-E3/5A carries the "E3" suffix, indicating it is RoHS-compliant and industrial-grade, with matte tin-plated leads and UL 94 V-0 molding compound. It is not halogen-free; for halogen-free compliance, the "M3" variant (e.g., SMA6J20A-M3/5A) must be selected, as confirmed in the Vishay ordering information table.
What is the thermal resistance and how does it affect PCB layout for the SMA6J20A-E3/5A?
The SMA6J20A-E3/5A has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (RθJA) of 120 °C/W when mounted on PCBs with 5.0 mm × 5.0 mm copper pads per terminal. This value assumes the recommended pad layout from the datasheet; reducing pad area or omitting thermal vias increases RθJA, requiring derating of power dissipation above TA = 25 °C per Figure 2.
Can the SMA6J20A-E3/5A be used for bidirectional transient protection?
No-the SMA6J20A-E3/5A is unidirectional only, with cathode-band polarity and specified clamping behavior only for reverse-biased transients. For bidirectional protection, the pin-compatible SMA6J20CA-E3/5A (center-tapped, symmetrical clamping) must be used, as explicitly differentiated in the Vishay electrical characteristics table.
What is the peak pulse power rating for an 8/20 μs waveform, and why is it higher than the 10/1000 μs rating?
The SMA6J20A-E3/5A delivers 4000 W peak pulse power for an 8/20 μs waveform versus 600 W for 10/1000 μs. The higher rating reflects shorter energy duration: the 8/20 μs pulse deposits less total thermal energy, allowing the junction to absorb greater instantaneous power without exceeding TJ max. This makes it suitable for lightning-surge-level events per IEC 61000-4-5.
SMA6J20A-E3/5A Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Package/Case:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Series:
- TransZorb®
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Zener
- Unidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Bidirectional Channels:
- -
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 20V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 22.2V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 36.8V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 93A (8/20µs)
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 4000W (4kW)
- Power Line Protection:
- No
- Applications:
- General Purpose
- Capacitance @ Frequency:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -55°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- DO-214AC (SMA)
SMA6J20A-E3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMA6J20A-E3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMA6J20A-E3/5A 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 SMA6J20A-E3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMA6J20A-E3/5A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMA6J20A-E3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMA6J20A-E3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMA6J20A-E3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMA6J20A-E3/5A?
SMA6J20A-E3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMA6J20A-E3/5A 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 SMA6J20A-E3/5A?
For technical support, including SMA6J20A-E3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMA6J20A-E3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMA6J20A-E3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMA6J20A-E3/5A 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 SMA6J20A-E3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMA6J20A-E3/5A?
All SMA6J20A-E3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMA6J20A-E3/5A, 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 SMA6J20A-E3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMA6J20A-E3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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