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Home > Products > Circuit Protection > Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) > TVS Diodes

Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ120-E3/5A

Name: SMAJ120-E3/5A
Brand: Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
SKU: SMAJ120-E3/5A
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: SMAJ120-E3/5A

Manufacturer:: Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division

Category:: TVS Diodes

Package:: DO-214AC, SMA

Datasheet:: SMAJ120-E3/5A.pdf

Description:: TVS DIODE 120VWM 214VC DO214AC

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Product details

Overview

SMAJ120-E3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a unidirectional surface-mount Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode in DO-214AC (SMA) package, designed for clamping voltage transients on power and signal lines. It features 120 V stand-off voltage (V_WM), 214 V maximum clamping voltage (V_C) at 1.4 A peak pulse current (I_PPM), 400 W peak pulse power (10/1000 µs waveform), and operates across –55 °C to +150 °C junction temperature range. It protects MOSFETs, ICs, and sensor interfaces in industrial power supplies and automotive control modules.

For engineers reviewing the SMAJ120-E3/5A datasheet, SMAJ120-E3/5A pinout, SMAJ120-E3/5A application, or SMAJ120-E3/5A equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical parameters, JEDEC-compliant DO-214AC terminal mapping, real-world protection use cases, and two validated alternative parts with documented functional trade-offs for ESD/surge hardening designs.

Technical Context

This unidirectional TVS diode uses a glass-passivated silicon junction optimized for fast response (<1 ps) to transient overvoltages induced by inductive switching or lightning surges. Its low incremental surge resistance ensures stable clamping performance under repetitive 10/1000 µs pulses at 0.01 % duty cycle.

The device meets MSL Level 1 per J-STD-020, supports solder reflow up to 260 °C, and complies with RoHS 2002/95/EC. Its thermal resistance is 120 °C/W (junction-to-ambient) and 30 °C/W (junction-to-lead), enabling reliable operation on standard 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
V_WM	120 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins; defines safe working margin for 120 V DC bus protection.
V_C @ I_PPM	214 V - Clamped voltage at 1.4 A peak pulse current; limits downstream component stress during 10/1000 µs transients.
P_PPM	400 W - Peak pulse power rating (10/1000 µs); supports robust surge immunity in industrial and automotive environments.
I_FSM	40 A - Non-repetitive forward surge current (8.3 ms half-sine); enables survival of brief inrush or fault currents.
T_J Range	–55 °C to +150 °C - Full operational junction temperature range; suitable for under-hood automotive and high-temp industrial PCBs.
I_D @ V_WM	1.0 µA - Reverse leakage at 120 V; negligible power loss and minimal impact on high-impedance sensing circuits.

Pinout & Package

Package: DO-214AC (SMA), surface-mount, molded plastic case with matte tin-plated leads compliant with J-STD-002 and JESD22-B102. Cathode identified by band marking on body.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
Anode	Forward current entry point (unidirectional)	Connected to protected line side; conducts only during reverse-biased transient clamping.
Cathode	Clamping reference node	Connected to ground or lower-potential rail; establishes precise V_C threshold during overvoltage events.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Glass-passivated junction	Ensures stable breakdown characteristics and long-term reliability under thermal cycling and humidity exposure.
MSL Level 1 rating	Enables direct placement without baking; compatible with standard SMT reflow profiles up to 260 °C peak.
Low incremental surge resistance	Minimizes V_C overshoot during fast-rising transients, improving protection margin for sensitive 3.3 V/5 V logic.
RoHS-compliant E3 suffix	Meets JESD201 Class 1A whisker resistance; eliminates tin whisker risk in long-life industrial deployments.

Applications

Automotive Power Distribution	Industrial PLC I/O Protection
Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V/24 V supply rails in engine control units against load dump and alternator transients. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS clamping element placed between battery input and DC-DC converter input stage. Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤214 V, preventing damage to 36 V-rated input capacitors and controller ICs.	Use Scenario: Shielding digital input channels of programmable logic controllers from field-wiring induced surges. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff-clamp protector on 24 V dry-contact inputs, upstream of optocoupler isolation barrier. Use Value: Maintains <1 µA leakage at 24 V nominal, avoiding false triggering while clamping 1 kV/µs spikes to safe levels.
Telecom Power Interface	MOSFET Gate Driver Protection
Use Scenario: Safeguarding PoE-powered equipment front-end circuitry from Ethernet cable ESD and surge coupling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary-level TVS on 48 V PSE output, coordinated with primary MOV and gas discharge tube. Use Value: Responds in <1 ps to meet IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 (4 kV) requirements without degrading signal integrity.	Use Scenario: Preventing gate oxide rupture in high-side N-channel MOSFET drivers exposed to inductive kickback. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Clamp diode across driver output and ground, absorbing energy from motor or solenoid turn-off. Use Value: Withstands 40 A single-cycle surge (8.3 ms), eliminating need for external snubbers in 10 A motor drive stages.

Automotive Power Distribution

Industrial PLC I/O Protection

Use Scenario: Protecting 12 V/24 V supply rails in engine control units against load dump and alternator transients.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Unidirectional TVS clamping element placed between battery input and DC-DC converter input stage.

Use Value: Limits transient voltage to ≤214 V, preventing damage to 36 V-rated input capacitors and controller ICs.

Use Scenario: Shielding digital input channels of programmable logic controllers from field-wiring induced surges.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standoff-clamp protector on 24 V dry-contact inputs, upstream of optocoupler isolation barrier.

Use Value: Maintains <1 µA leakage at 24 V nominal, avoiding false triggering while clamping 1 kV/µs spikes to safe levels.

Telecom Power Interface

MOSFET Gate Driver Protection

Use Scenario: Safeguarding PoE-powered equipment front-end circuitry from Ethernet cable ESD and surge coupling.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary-level TVS on 48 V PSE output, coordinated with primary MOV and gas discharge tube.

Use Value: Responds in <1 ps to meet IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4 (4 kV) requirements without degrading signal integrity.

Use Scenario: Preventing gate oxide rupture in high-side N-channel MOSFET drivers exposed to inductive kickback.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Clamp diode across driver output and ground, absorbing energy from motor or solenoid turn-off.

Use Value: Withstands 40 A single-cycle surge (8.3 ms), eliminating need for external snubbers in 10 A motor drive stages.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
SMAJ120A-E3/5A	Lower clamping voltage (193 V vs. 214 V) due to tighter V_BR tolerance (133–147 V vs. 133–163 V); same V_WM, P_PPM, and package.	Better suited for systems with narrow voltage margins below 200 V, e.g., 150 V-rated DC-link capacitors.	Select SMAJ120A-E3/5A when clamping headroom is critical and tighter V_BR consistency is required.
SMBJ120A-E3/52	DO-214AA (SMB) package; 600 W P_PPM; higher I_PPM (2.3 A); larger footprint (4.58 × 3.94 mm vs. 4.58 × 2.92 mm).	Preferred where higher surge endurance is needed and board space allows larger package.	Choose SMBJ120A-E3/52 for enhanced 600 W surge handling in space-tolerant industrial controls.

Compared with SMAJ120-E3/5A, the SMAJ120A-E3/5A offers tighter clamping precision at identical mounting and layout, while the SMBJ120A-E3/52 trades compactness for higher power handling-enabling design flexibility across cost, size, and ruggedness priorities.

Availability

SMAJ120-E3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive power distribution, industrial PLC I/O protection, telecom power interface, and MOSFET gate driver protection requiring stable component supply and full traceability.

Supply support for SMAJ120-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, and protection devices with emphasis on reliability, thermal performance, and AEC-Q101 qualification.

The SMAJ series was developed for high-reliability transient suppression in harsh environments-targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom applications where consistent clamping, low leakage, and robust surge handling are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the maximum clamping voltage of SMAJ120-E3/5A under a 10/1000 µs surge?

The SMAJ120-E3/5A exhibits a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 214 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 1.4 A using the standardized 10/1000 µs waveform. This value is measured at T_A = 25 °C on 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during transient events.

Is SMAJ120-E3/5A unidirectional or bidirectional?

SMAJ120-E3/5A is a unidirectional TVS diode, indicated by the absence of "C" or "CA" suffix. Its cathode is marked with a band on the DO-214AC package body. It conducts only during reverse-biased overvoltage conditions and must be oriented with cathode toward the protected line's higher potential side.

Does SMAJ120-E3/5A meet automotive qualification standards?

No-SMAJ120-E3/5A carries the commercial-grade E3 suffix and is not AEC-Q101 qualified. For automotive applications, Vishay specifies the HE3-suffix variants (e.g., SMAJ120AHE3/5A), which undergo extended reliability testing including temperature cycling, HTRB, and ESD per AEC-Q101.

What is the reverse leakage current of SMAJ120-E3/5A at its rated stand-off voltage?

At its 120 V stand-off voltage (V_WM) and T_A = 25 °C, the SMAJ120-E3/5A exhibits a maximum reverse leakage current (I_D) of 1.0 µA. This ultra-low leakage preserves signal integrity in high-impedance sensor interfaces and avoids unnecessary power drain in always-on systems.

Can SMAJ120-E3/5A be used in place of SMAJ120A-E3/5A?

SMAJ120-E3/5A and SMAJ120A-E3/5A share identical V_WM (120 V), package, and mounting, but differ in breakdown voltage range (133–163 V vs. 133–147 V) and clamping (214 V vs. 193 V). Substitution requires validation of downstream voltage margins; SMAJ120-E3/5A provides higher clamping headroom, SMAJ120A-E3/5A tighter regulation.

SMAJ120-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:: Obsolete

Type:: Zener

Unidirectional Channels:: 1

Bidirectional Channels:: -

Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):: 120V

Voltage - Breakdown (Min):: 133V

Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:: 214V

Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):: 1.4A

Power - Peak Pulse:: 300W

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)

SMAJ120-E3/5A FAQ

1.How can I place an order for SMAJ120-E3/5A through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ120-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 SMAJ120-E3/5A reliable?

The price and inventory of SMAJ120-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 SMAJ120-E3/5A is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ120-E3/5A?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ120-E3/5A transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ120-E3/5A?

SMAJ120-E3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your SMAJ120-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 SMAJ120-E3/5A?

For technical support, including SMAJ120-E3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ120-E3/5A requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ120-E3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All SMAJ120-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 SMAJ120-E3/5A meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ120-E3/5A?

All SMAJ120-E3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ120-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 SMAJ120-E3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for SMAJ120-E3/5A:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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