Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division SMAJ15CA-M3/5A
- Part No.:
- SMAJ15CA-M3/5A
- Manufacturer:
- Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division
- Category:
- TVS Diodes
- Package:
- DO-214AC, SMA
- Datasheet:
-
SMAJ15CA-M3/5A.pdf
- Description:
- TVS DIODE 15VWM 24.4VC DO214AC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
SMAJ15CA-M3/5A from Vishay General Semiconductor is a bidirectional transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diode designed for robust overvoltage protection on signal and power lines. It features a 15 V standoff voltage (VWM), 24.4 V maximum clamping voltage at 16.4 A peak pulse current, and 400 W peak pulse power rating with 10/1000 μs waveform - deployed in automotive sensor interfaces, industrial I/O modules, and telecom line protection.
For engineers reviewing the SMAJ15CA-M3/5A datasheet, SMAJ15CA-M3/5A pinout, SMAJ15CA-M3/5A application, or SMAJ15CA-M3/5A equivalent, this device is evaluated for ESD/surge immunity in bidirectional AC-coupled or floating signal paths where low clamping voltage, fast response (<1 ns), and AEC-Q101-qualified reliability are required.
Technical Context
This TVS operates symmetrically in both directions due to its bidirectional CA construction, enabling protection of differential pairs or ungrounded lines without polarity constraints. Its glass-passivated junction ensures stable breakdown behavior and low leakage (<1.0 μA at 15 V), while the DO-214AC (SMA) package supports automated SMT placement and meets MSL Level 1 reflow standards up to 260 °C.
The device delivers 24.4 V clamping at 16.4 A (10/1000 μs), with thermal resistance RθJA = 120 °C/W and RθJL = 30 °C/W - confirming suitability for compact PCB layouts with limited copper area. It is halogen-free and RoHS-compliant (M3 suffix), and qualified to AEC-Q101 when ordered with HM3 suffix.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VWM | 15 V - Maximum continuous reverse operating voltage before clamping begins; defines safe working range for protected circuitry. |
| VBR (min/max) | 16.7 V / 18.5 V at 1.0 mA - Confirmed breakdown threshold range; ensures reliable triggering above VWM with margin. |
| VC @ IPPM | 24.4 V at 16.4 A - Clamped voltage during 10/1000 μs surge; determines maximum stress imposed on downstream ICs. |
| PPPM | 400 W - Peak pulse power handling capability; validates protection against IEC 61000-4-5 Level 3 surges (1 kV/42 Ω). |
| IPPM | 16.4 A - Peak surge current supported at rated clamping voltage; correlates directly with system-level surge test compliance. |
| TJ max. | +150 °C - Maximum junction temperature; enables operation in under-hood automotive or high-ambient industrial environments. |
| Package | SMA (DO-214AC) - Standard surface-mount outline with 5.28 mm × 4.93 mm footprint; compatible with IPC-7351B land patterns. |
Pinout & Package
Package: SMA (DO-214AC), bidirectional configuration - no polarity marking; symmetrical two-terminal construction with cathode/anode terminals interchangeable in circuit layout.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Anode / Cathode (bidirectional) | Either terminal serves as anode or cathode depending on instantaneous polarity; no fixed polarity designation. |
| Terminal 2 | Anode / Cathode (bidirectional) | Paired terminal completing the symmetrical TVS junction; enables clamping in both voltage polarities. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional clamping | Enables protection of AC-coupled, floating, or differential lines (e.g., RS-485, CAN, USB D+/D−) without polarity concerns. |
| 400 W peak pulse power | Meets IEC 61000-4-5 surge immunity requirements for industrial and automotive applications up to Level 3. |
| 24.4 V clamping at 16.4 A | Minimizes voltage overshoot across protected ICs such as microcontrollers, transceivers, or analog front-ends. |
| Halogen-free & RoHS-compliant (M3) | Complies with environmental regulations for commercial and industrial end equipment; supports green manufacturing. |
| MSL Level 1, 260 °C peak reflow | Eliminates moisture sensitivity concerns during standard SMT assembly; no bake-out required prior to reflow. |
Applications
| Automotive Sensor Protection | Industrial RS-485 Interface |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Protecting ABS wheel speed sensor outputs exposed to load dump and inductive switching transients in 12 V vehicle systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional TVS placed across differential sensor output pair to clamp ±200 V transients within nanoseconds. Use Value: Prevents latch-up or permanent damage to downstream signal conditioners while maintaining <1 ns response time and low capacitance. |
Use Scenario: Shielding RS-485 transceiver bus lines (A/B) from EFT bursts and lightning-induced surges in factory automation PLCs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Symmetrical clamping element between A and B lines, referenced to ground via common-mode choke. Use Value: Maintains signal integrity by limiting common-mode surge voltage to ≤24.4 V, avoiding receiver saturation or data corruption. |
| Telecom Line Card Protection | Consumer Audio Input Stage |
|
Use Scenario: Safeguarding Ethernet PHY interface pins (e.g., MDI-X) against induced surges from nearby AC wiring or PoE events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional TVS mounted at connector entry point, shunting surge energy before reaching magnetics or PHY IC. Use Value: Ensures IEEE 802.3 compliance by clamping transients to <25 V while adding <0.5 pF parasitic capacitance - negligible at 100 Mbps. |
Use Scenario: Guarding line-in or microphone inputs of smart speakers against ESD events during user handling or cable insertion. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-leakage (≤1 μA) TVS placed across input coupling capacitor to absorb ±8 kV HBM ESD pulses. Use Value: Preserves audio fidelity by avoiding DC offset shift or pop-noise artifacts during clamping, thanks to precise 15 V VWM. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar transient voltage suppression applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAJ15CA-E3/5A | Same electrical specs; RoHS-compliant but not halogen-free (E3 vs. M3). | Preferred for non-automotive commercial designs where halogen-free requirement is not mandated. | Select E3 for cost-sensitive consumer applications; M3 required for automotive or green-certified industrial products. |
| SMAJ15CAHM3_A/I | AEC-Q101 qualified; identical VWM, VC, and PPPM; same M3 halogen-free material. | Required for automotive ECUs, ADAS sensors, or any application needing automotive-grade qualification. | Choose HM3 variant when functional safety (ISO 26262) or OEM component approval mandates AEC-Q101 evidence. |
Compared with SMAJ15CA-M3/5A, the E3 version offers identical protection performance at lower cost for non-automotive use, while the HM3 variant adds formal AEC-Q101 validation - critical for automotive deployment but unnecessary in commercial-grade systems.
Availability
SMAJ15CA-M3/5A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive sensor interfaces, industrial RS-485 networks, and telecom line card protection requiring stable component supply and long-term manufacturability.
Supply support for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A 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 and application-specific optimization.
The SMAJ series is engineered for high-energy transient suppression in harsh environments - targeting automotive, industrial, and telecom infrastructure where robustness and repeatable clamping performance are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the clamping voltage of SMAJ15CA-M3/5A at its rated peak pulse current?
The SMAJ15CA-M3/5A clamps to a maximum of 24.4 V at its specified peak pulse current of 16.4 A under the standard 10/1000 μs waveform. This value is measured per JEDEC test conditions and defines the upper voltage limit imposed on protected circuitry during surge events. The SMAJ15CA-M3/5A maintains this clamping performance across its full operating temperature range of −55 °C to +150 °C.
Is SMAJ15CA-M3/5A suitable for automotive applications?
SMAJ15CA-M3/5A itself is not AEC-Q101 qualified; however, it shares identical electrical characteristics with the AEC-Q101-qualified variant SMAJ15CAHM3_A/I. For non-safety-critical automotive subsystems where qualification is not mandated, SMAJ15CA-M3/5A may be used - but for ECU, ADAS, or body control modules, the HM3-suffixed part must be selected. The SMAJ15CA-M3/5A remains halogen-free and RoHS-compliant per JESD201 Class 2.
How does the bidirectional design of SMAJ15CA-M3/5A affect PCB layout?
The bidirectional nature of SMAJ15CA-M3/5A eliminates polarity constraints - either terminal can connect to either side of a differential or floating line, simplifying layout and reducing risk of assembly error. No cathode band marking is present, and the SMA (DO-214AC) footprint requires only two symmetric pads per device. This symmetry supports placement across AC-coupled signal pairs like CAN-H/CAN-L or RS-485 A/B without orientation checks. The SMAJ15CA-M3/5A also avoids ground-reference dependency in common-mode surge scenarios.
What is the maximum steady-state power dissipation for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A?
The SMAJ15CA-M3/5A has a maximum steady-state power dissipation (PD) of 3.3 W at TA = 50 °C on an infinite heatsink. In typical PCB applications with 0.2" × 0.2" copper pads per terminal, derating applies per Figure 2 in the datasheet - e.g., ~2.2 W at TA = 70 °C. This rating governs continuous leakage power under elevated VWM bias and must be verified against actual board thermal design. The SMAJ15CA-M3/5A is not intended for sustained DC power dissipation but for transient energy absorption.
Does SMAJ15CA-M3/5A meet moisture sensitivity level (MSL) requirements for lead-free reflow?
Yes - SMAJ15CA-M3/5A meets MSL Level 1 per J-STD-020, with a maximum peak reflow temperature of 260 °C. This means the device can be placed directly into standard lead-free reflow ovens without pre-baking or special handling, supporting high-yield automated assembly. The molding compound is UL 94 V-0 rated, and matte tin-plated leads comply with J-STD-002 and JESD22-B102 solderability standards. The SMAJ15CA-M3/5A's MSL rating is validated for both 7" and 13" tape-and-reel packaging formats.
SMAJ15CA-M3/5A 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:
- -
- Bidirectional Channels:
- 1
- Voltage - Reverse Standoff (Typ):
- 15V
- Voltage - Breakdown (Min):
- 16.7V
- Voltage - Clamping (Max) @ Ipp:
- 24.4V
- Current - Peak Pulse (10/1000µs):
- 16.4A
- Power - Peak Pulse:
- 400W
- 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)
SMAJ15CA-M3/5A FAQ
1.How can I place an order for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A 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 SMAJ15CA-M3/5A reliable?
The price and inventory of SMAJ15CA-M3/5A are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A?
SMAJ15CA-M3/5A orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your SMAJ15CA-M3/5A 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 SMAJ15CA-M3/5A?
For technical support, including SMAJ15CA-M3/5A datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your SMAJ15CA-M3/5A requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that SMAJ15CA-M3/5A is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All SMAJ15CA-M3/5A 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 SMAJ15CA-M3/5A meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of SMAJ15CA-M3/5A?
All SMAJ15CA-M3/5A units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with SMAJ15CA-M3/5A, 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 SMAJ15CA-M3/5A part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for SMAJ15CA-M3/5A:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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