Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ130CA-M3/61

Overview

SMAJ130CA-M3/61 from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional surface-mount transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode designed for robust overvoltage protection in DC power rails and signal lines. It features a 130 V standoff voltage (V_WM), 144–159 V breakdown range (V_BR at 1 mA), 209 V maximum clamping voltage (V_C) at 1.4 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power rating (10/1000 μs waveform). It is widely deployed to safeguard MOSFETs, microcontrollers, and sensor interfaces in industrial motor drives and automotive body control modules.

For engineers reviewing the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 datasheet, SMAJ130CA-M3/61 pinout, SMAJ130CA-M3/61 application, or SMAJ130CA-M3/61 equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional clamping symmetry, low clamping ratio (V_C/V_BR ≈ 1.45), MSL Level 1 moisture sensitivity, halogen-free RoHS compliance (M3 suffix), and DO-214AC package compatibility with automated SMT assembly.

Technical Context

This TVS diode operates as a voltage-clamped crowbar device-conducting only when reverse (or either polarity for bidirectional types) voltage exceeds V_BR, thereby shunting surge current away from protected circuitry. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable leakage (<1.0 μA at 130 V) and fast response time (<1.0 ps), critical for suppressing ESD and inductive switching transients.

The SMAJ130CA-M3/61 delivers 400 W peak pulse power up to 78 V and derates to 300 W above that threshold per Fig. 2 of the datasheet; its thermal resistance (R_θJA = 120 °C/W) assumes mounting on 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads, defining practical PCB layout constraints for sustained surge handling.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SMA (DO-214AC), molded plastic case with matte tin-plated leads; meets UL 94 V-0 flammability rating and J-STD-002 solderability requirements. Bidirectional construction has no polarity marking.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with SMAJ130A-M3/61, the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 eliminates polarity dependency for simplified layout and broader signal-line use; versus SMBJ130CA-M3/61, it trades surge headroom for compactness-critical for dense consumer and telecom PCBs where board space is constrained.

Availability

SMAJ130CA-M3/61 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor drives, automotive body control modules, telecom power feeds, and consumer appliance control boards requiring stable component supply, halogen-free compliance, and MSL Level 1 manufacturability.

Supply support for SMAJ130CA-M3/61 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, precision, and application-specific optimization.

The SMAJ series was engineered for high-reliability transient suppression in space-constrained, high-volume SMT applications-targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom markets needing AEC-Q101 qualification and robust surge immunity.

FAQ

What is the clamping voltage of the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 under a 10/1000 μs surge?

The SMAJ130CA-M3/61 exhibits a maximum clamping voltage (V_C) of 209 V when subjected to its rated peak pulse current of 1.4 A using the standard 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per Figure 1 and Table 1 in the Vishay datasheet 88390 and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during transient events. The SMAJ130CA-M3/61 maintains this clamping performance symmetrically in both directions due to its bidirectional construction.

Is the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 suitable for automotive applications?

Yes-the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 is halogen-free and RoHS-compliant (M3 suffix), and an AEC-Q101 qualified variant exists under ordering code SMAJ130CAHM3_X. While the base SMAJ130CA-M3/61 itself is commercial-grade, its electrical specs-including 40 A I_FSM, 150 °C T_J max, and robust surge capability-align with automotive subsystem requirements such as body control modules and LIN bus protection. For certified deployment, specify the HM3_X suffix variant.

How does the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 differ from the unidirectional SMAJ130A-M3/61?

The SMAJ130CA-M3/61 is bidirectional with symmetrical clamping in both polarities and no polarity marking, whereas the SMAJ130A-M3/61 is unidirectional, features a cathode band, and conducts only in reverse bias-blocking forward current. This makes the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 ideal for AC-coupled lines or floating nodes, while the SMAJ130A-M3/61 suits DC rails where forward conduction must be prevented. Both share identical V_WM, V_BR, and V_C ratings.

What is the thermal resistance of the SMAJ130CA-M3/61, and how does it affect layout?

The SMAJ130CA-M3/61 has a typical junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (R_θJA) of 120 °C/W when mounted on 0.2" × 0.2" (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) copper pads per terminal. This value assumes optimal PCB copper area; reducing pad size increases thermal impedance and limits sustainable surge repetition rate. Layouts must allocate minimum recommended pad dimensions (per DO-214AC outline drawing) to maintain rated 400 W pulse power and avoid thermal runaway during repetitive transients.

Does the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 require special handling or baking before reflow soldering?

No-the SMAJ130CA-M3/61 is rated MSL Level 1 per J-STD-020, meaning it has unlimited floor life at conditions ≤30 °C and ≤60 % relative humidity. No dry-packaging, moisture barrier bags, or pre-reflow baking is required. This simplifies SMT line logistics and reduces manufacturing cost compared to higher-MSL components. The SMAJ130CA-M3/61 can be placed directly from tape-and-reel into standard lead-free reflow profiles.